Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) empty fuel filter

[Mhannink]

well for those who are observant you may know i have been having a problem w/ my truck not running right in the mornings. well today i went to change my fuel filter because it was dirty and about due for a new one. when i got it off however i noticed it was maybe half full but probably more like a 1/4 full of fuel. this must mean one of 2 things 1. my lift pump is going bad or 2. i have an air leak some where. those are my guesses i would greatly appreciate any advice ya'll might have for me on what might be the cause and the most likly place it would be. oh and ill also make mention that i filled the new filter put it on took it for a test drive gave me these same problems and before. i got back look in my filter and it was again 1/2 full. tia for all your help

 

[bmoeller]

I don't recall your threads (been gone a lot this year), but, I'd replace all of the rubber fuel lines, if you haven't already.



Maybe replace the rubber-coated washers on the banjo fittings.



Check if the fuel heater is leaking air.



The lift pump normally last a LONG time, but I wouldn't rule that out.



How is the fuel pressure?



Check the overflow valve? http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1996/14-07-96.htm

 

[redram]

Check the water drain in the bottom of the filter - is it leaking when the truck is not running?

 

[Mhannink]

Check the water drain in the bottom of the filter - is it leaking when the truck is not running?

well i dont think its leaking at least not enough to really drain the filter. it just doesnt have enough flow to the pump i think. i am going to check the prescreen and see if thats clogged.



bmoeller i did replace the 2 rubber fuel lines that got from the block to the firewall so those should be fine. i might be sucking air form a rubber fitting. i dont have fuel pressure hooked up yet im going to have that hooked up today. lastly the overflow valve was replaced about three years ago. i have it witen down exactly when it was done but i know it was somewhat recent. so should that be bad?



ill start w/ those things but ya'll keep your comments and thoughts coming

 

[bmoeller]

IIRC, there are rubber lines going to the tank as well. Not just the ones on the side of the engine.



Does it make a difference in how full the tank is, at all? The pickup tube could have a hole in it.



How about the sock (or whatever screen there is), on the fuel inlet in the tank could be dirty.



IIRC, the fuel filter is under pressure, so I doubt the fuel drain would be the problem. Unless it was letting in air while the engine is off.

 

[Mhannink]

IIRC, there are rubber lines going to the tank as well. Not just the ones on the side of the engine.



Does it make a difference in how full the tank is, at all? The pickup tube could have a hole in it.



How about the sock (or whatever screen there is), on the fuel inlet in the tank could be dirty.



IIRC, the fuel filter is under pressure, so I doubt the fuel drain would be the problem. Unless it was letting in air while the engine is off.

1. i have not check the rubber lines at the tank since i couldnt really see up there and so i didnt know do i have to drop the tank to see them?



2. im not really sure if it made a difference i have been driving a 1000 miles a week latly and i fill up so often that its hard to say. i run a fuel cleaner every tank but idk if that would make a difference.



3. the fuel filter was full when i changed it and then when i started it and ran it a bit it emptied out. so its activily getting air.



ok now an update.

i played w/ the over flow valve and it seems to be better now. what i did is strecth the spring and little and it seems to be running well. i have 20 psi at the inlet of the pump and idle and can get about 30ish maybe a little higher at wot while driving.



one problem im noticing now is i cant just get in and start it. i have to give it a little throttle when i start it and w/ that i get a good little cloud of smoke. i dont know if this problem is tied to my other one some how. it seems to be seperate since it happened in the process of fixing the first one. so my newest question is what would cause it to not start w/o throttle now what might i have in advertantly messed w/ that would do it? one fact i will mention is that i played w/ my gov springs a lot could this be a possibile side affect from messing w/ it.

 

[Extreme1]

so my newest question is what would cause it to not start w/o throttle now what might i have in advertantly messed w/ that would do it? one fact i will mention is that i played w/ my gov springs a lot could this be a possibile side affect from messing w/ it.

If you tweaked the governor spring retainters it might require throttle to start.



I would suspect the fuel heater next to the lift pump. Next time you're working on it remove the sediment bowl then the fuel heater (5/16 allen head). Screw the sediment back in place without the heater and see if that fixes it.

 

[Mhannink]

my gov springs ended up in about the same place as before i had this problem and i didnt need throttle then