Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Pressure Gauge = Hard Start

[Bloomy]

I just installed an Isspro mechanical fuel pressure gauge in my dad's 01. When it sits for a long period of time such as over night it becomes hard to start. You have to crank the starter for a little while, let it cool down and crank it again. It is obviously running out of fuel. It will typically kick over and run briefly on the first try then the cranking starts. The truck is stock. Since I am a 12 valver I waited to long to install this fuel pressure gauge. The truck has been throwing p0216 codes for the last two weeks. Scheduled to go into the shop on tuesday. The gauge has an isolator that looks like a small cylinder roughly four inches long and 1. 5" diameter. Pressures only read about 5psi at idle and 0 at WOT. Any help on the hard starting would be great. Thanks



Thomas

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Bloomy

Pressures only read about 5psi at idle and 0 at WOT.

Low/no fuel pressure. Thats bad. Sounds like a lift pump problem at best.



Where is the gauge hooked up to? Is everything tight that was lossened/removed during the gauge install? Could be getting air in the system from somewhere.

 

[Bloomy]

The gauge is hooked through the schroeder valve on the injection pump. Everything is tight with liquid teflon on the threads. I will double check them again just to make sure. I will check it in the morning.

 

[bmoeller]

How old is the fuel filter?

 

[24V-DSL]

0216 = Fuel injection pump timing failure. Not a good sign.

 

[Bloomy]

I'm not sure on the fuel filter. That is on today's agenda. As far as the codes, based on what I read in searches the symptoms are similiar with lp or vp failure. You're going down the road, punch the throttle and nothing happens. I'll let you know on the fuel filter. Thanks



Thomas

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

P0216 (M) Fuel Injection Pump Timing Failure High fuel supply restriction, low fuel pressure or possible

wrong or incorrectly installed pump keyway.

 

[Bloomy]

Fuel filter was pretty nasty. Put the new one in and the thing wouldn't start. Had to bleed an injector. Fuel pressure gauge still reads a max of 5 psi at idle. Now I know why I bought a 12 valve. No offense intended to the 24 valvers. The original problem of the hard start seems to have gone away. Thanks for the help. I will let you know what the dealer says regarding the codes. Never went there for service or warranty work. My truck was out of warranty when I bought it.

 

[Bloomy]

Got back from the dealer. They had me go back and talk to the tech. Said the code was there but was concerned that my connection at the isolator for the fuel pressure gauge was leaking. Anyway I explained I just put that on because of the codes. The tech and manager said ok. Tech went and ordered a new injection pump and lift pump. Didn't pressure test it or anything. Just checked the codes and said ok. Of course I was in my uniform with badge and all the important stuff having come straight from work. They got me in an hour early to boot. First time I have dealt with this dealer and I am definitely pleased. I will say that it's a good thing I didn't start bombing that truck. Thanks for all the help



Thomas

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Bloomy

Of course I was in my uniform with badge and all the important stuff having come straight from work.

Is that what you have to do to get stuff done at the dealer without BS? :-laf Might work for others that have had problems.

 

[Bloomy]

Wanted to throw an update in here. It took the dealer 4 weeks to get both pumps in. Forgot one of them. Ordered it again and ordered the wrong one. And on, and on. Finally both pumps were replaced. Fuel pressure was 15psi at idle. Now the fuel pressure has dropped to 10 psi at idle. It was a fast drop. Start it up one day and 10psi is all we get. No leaks on the gauge. Any thoughts?

 

[AKAMAC]

Bump the starter without starting engine and leave key in on position. LP will run for 20 seconds. Record the #'s as LP runs, you may have one of the infamous "dead in the box" pumps. You should see an average of 12 PSI while the pump is running. Let us know. Mike

 

[aarlucas]

I can't speak for the 01. 5, however, on a 99, according to the service manual the pump has two speeds of operation. Here is the quote right out of the service manual about this.



"With the engine running, the pump has 2 modes of operation: Mode 1: 100 percent duty cycle with a minimum pressure of 10 psi except when the engine is cranking. Mode 2: 25 percent duty cycle with a minimum of 7 psi with the engine cranking. The 25 percent cycle is used to limit injection pump inlet pressure until the engine is running. "



With that said, the way I read that is that the pump should put out at least 7 psi if you do the starter bump for the 25 second run.

 

[Bloomy]

This is what I found: Click the starter and pressure goes up to 11psi while the pump is running. When the pump stops it drops to around 5psi. While going down the road yesterday it bumped up to 13 psi for a few moments before dropping back down to 7psi.



Thomas

 

[BillGotthelf]

Check the electrical connection at the pump. If possible separate the electrical connection and spray out with cleaner. If this does not help it sounds as if you got a bad LP. I doubt the dealer will replace it until it runs at 5 or less at idle. If you want to spend some $ and get real reliability change out the factory lift pump with a FASS unit. I would however work with the dealer first. Oh and I am sure the uniform and gun would not hurt.