Archived Dead and needed tomorrow!

[turbod]

First time i've used the forum, but i need to get the truck up and running for tomorrow--towing a Coast Guard boat to winter storage!... ... was getting ready for work, windows frosted so started and went back inside. after running about a minute i heard the cummins slowing down and started running..... but it died before i got out the door, it took about 10 sec from idle to zero. its parked on a hill nose up(driveway) and has about 1/4 tank fuel. 85000 miles -stock -1996- auto. it wants to try and restart if use a little throttle but wont stay on without the starter. heres the kicker..... just had it in for a complete checkover and was told was in better than normal condition exept for some front end work(ball joints, track bar, tierods)some of that was replaced. hope they didn't mess with anything to cause this! took the day off of work and need a list to go by to start checking things out. first on my list is the fuel filter as its due, then tracing lines and selinoids? any help and advice apreciated

 

[turbod]

this is the truck

this is the truck with the problem... hope the picture shows up. this is the boat to tow tomorrow. I am in the coast Guard Auxiliary and we use my truck to move the boat around as there is not a GOV truck with a class 5 hitch to use

 

[AKAMAC]

Check here, you might have run it out of fuel.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=84624

 

[turbod]

Don't think its the out of fuel thing. only 345 miles on this tank of fuel and normally get at least 450 out of a tank in town befor the light comes on. The fuel guage is not as acuarate as when new but i don't drive by it, go by milage. when the light comes on it has almost 8 gallons left and hasn't come on yet as only 345 miles!



i'm thinking after looking through a bunch of posts that i might have an air leak in a fuel line ,found a refrence to replacing the fuel lines from engine to frame for a hard start if low on fuel and parked nose high( just like mine) what i'm thinking is they might of wiggled the fuel lines to check themand started a crack to cause an air leak. have not done anything yet as its just getting light out now and do not have a garage to work in and temp is 35F

 

[SRadke]

I had the leak problem and picked up air nose high. That was only when parked though, I couldn't get it to start. I was picking up air through a return line and had no problems once the truck was running. That doesn't sound like your problem. It sounds like you ran out of fuel. Lift pump, injector pump, air, something.



-Scott

 

[bighammer]

Check the rubber fuel hoses for cracking. (behind the injection pump)



Check that the shutoff solenoid is holding up when it's on.



Banana in the tailpipe?



Good luck with it. What year is it?

 

[illflem]

The slow die you describe sounds to me exactly like gelled fuel clogging the fuel filter or just a plain old plugged up filter.

Cracked hoses make for a hard start or obvious leaks.

What was in it for fuel? blend? additive? how cold?

Tow it into a heated garage and put some additive to it and it should be better.

 

[dseabaugh]

Sounds like a weak pump and sucking air to me or clogged filter. Would not think it is gelled fuel as I looked on anchorage AK weather and it is 40's days and 28=- 35 nights. If there is moisture in fuel and below freezing temps it could be ice crystals clogging the filter. a quick filter change would tell that if it started up again. . Crack your filter vent on top and pump your primer and see it it pumps fuel or air. Change your filter if it pumps fuel on first lick or two. if it pumps air look for a leak. I say to do this before a filter change so you have an idea what is going on. if you change filter first all you will have is air.

 

[turbod]

got it going again. After it got light out so I could see things I got to the bleeder screw on the fuel filter and got about five pumps then started getting fuel. still would not start so changed filter next and bled and filled the filter then truck started. After I got the tools put away went and bought two more fuel filters in case it gets plugged up again. Did not see any split or weather cracked fuel lines but its hard to get your head in close to some of them for a good look. will relace them soon to be sure. will also get a filter relocating kit as that is for the birds how it is now.



Got the boat towed for winter storage and everyone is happy now. There was several nice new 3500 dualies at the dealer I got the filters from, sure would be nice to get a new one but the price has gone up a bit since 96



Thanks for the replys and ideas

 

[dseabaugh]

glad you are running. I've been wondering all day but could not check as someone stole our ebay passwords and also was redirecting our emails so were were down all day getting that fixed. Have a good weekend! Sounds to me like it is bleeding back into the tank through a pin hole leak in a line if it took 5 pumps to get fuel .

 

[illflem]

No need for the filter relocation kit, they just get in the way. The trick on your '96 if it has vacuum assist brakes is to remove the two nuts on the master cylinder and the large hose to the booster. The master cylinder will them swing easily towards the driver's side giving you plenty of access to the fuel filter.