Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine Barely starts

[hackengineering]

This weekend i traveled a bit and drove the truck pretty hard here in the mountains. When i stoped for the night everything was ok, then tried to start in the morning and had to crank for about 10 seconds befor it would start and puke white smoke all over. I figured it was just a fluke because even in cold weather its a great starter. I stoped and started a few more times and each time was at least 7 seconds of cranking to start even when engine had just been running. I stoped at a parts house and piked up some red line injector cleaner and that seemed to just about cure it. Any thoughts as to why this was happeening. Are my injectors starting to go bad? Also new fuel filter installed 10 days ago.

I noticed when i added the holly blue pump a few months back my truck is a bit harder to start. It is hoked up to the lift pump by a relay so it should only be on when the lift pump activates. Could that be anything, am i getting to much pressure at the start?



Thanks

 

[JFaughn]

Fuel pressure test [ mount a a gauge ] .
Could be bad fuel , change filter again , the cleaner is a indicator here .

 

[hackengineering]

Fuel psi after filter is running approx 23psi at idle and 18 wot. I will go ahead and change that filter, bad thing is only one real diesel station here in town. Hope its not there distributor.

 

[Loren]

Cheston,



I had a similar problem with my '95 some years back. All of a sudden it required long cranking times before it would start.



It turned out to be a leak in the fuel return line to the tank. The leak allowed air into the system which had to be purged before the engine would start. Repaired under warranty. Quick fix.



Good luck with yours. I hope it's cheap and easy like mine was.



Loren

 

[scotmartin]

Cheston,



I had a similar problem with my '95 some years back. All of a sudden it required long cranking times before it would start.



It turned out to be a leak in the fuel return line to the tank. The leak allowed air into the system which had to be purged before the engine would start. Repaired under warranty. Quick fix.



Good luck with yours. I hope it's cheap and easy like mine was.



Loren

Same exact thing happened to my dad's 96. It would start like I had just changed the filter and not filled it all the way. The steel lines near the bell housing had to be replaced.