Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel leak and air in lines

[Bseg]

My 97 has 188K on it and about 2 months ago it leaked a few drops of fuel onto the ground just behind the front diff. This happened one time prior and it hasn't done it since.



I believe that there must be an air leak in one of the lines because I'm starting to experience the hard starting. If I prime the system with the push button it will fire right up. Fires right up within a few minutes of shutting down but if you leave it sit too long then it's difficult to start.



I got a copy of the write up from Joe George (excellent write up) and was reading through trying to decide what I should try first.



I can't find any fuel leaks now and I understand that you won't always have them but air can get in.



I would like to know if anyone has had a similar experience with a slight leak and then the air in the system causing hard starting. If so, is there an obvious or good place to start or should I just go through the steps and replace the hoses, remove the heater etc. ?



Thanks for any suggestions and thank you to Joe G. for the great write up.

 

[hsmith]

Replace the hoses, toss the heater. You may be pleasantly surprised. Also check the primer area for leaks.

 

[snappy]

Larry B has marine grade diesel fuel hose. Some remove the starter to gain more access to the supply/return lines but I have not had to do that yet.

 

[Bseg]

OK, sounds good. I think I may have to remove the starter too cause it looks like it may block access.



Looks like I have a little project to work on this weekend!



thanks for the help.

 

[fox]

My 95 did that.

It was the return line at the rear of the head, drivers side.

I was lucky, I just slid the hose on another inch or so and it was fine.

 

[hsmith]

Another thing to look at since you mentioned a drip, is the filter drain valve. The hoses don't normally drip fuel when bad. Have seen the heater be the cause of a small drip.

 

[PToombs]

Check the heater. My 97 had a hard start and I couldn't find the leak. I knew it was sucking air someplace. I put a small electric pump in the suction line near the tank and plugged the return at the tank. No leaks. I pumped the primer and had 30psi on the system, nothing. I was under the truck looking up when I decided to pull the wire plug from the heater. There was a shhhhhhhhh! of air then the fuel was spraying all over. When I got the heater out and looked at the terminals, the plastic was melted around them. It would let air in, and fuel wouldn't come out. I threw it away and the truck has started great ever since.

 

[Loren]

OK, sounds good. I think I may have to remove the starter too cause it looks like it may block access.

Bseg,



If it's not too late, you may want to consider upgrading your starter contacts to some of LarryB's. The hardest part of that job is removing and replacing the starter, and you're going to have yours out anyway.



Of course, you may have done this already.



Good luck,

-- Loren