Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Got a few problems

[Alphacowboy]

Got a few issues since replacing the headgasket on my truck. Cant quite get them figured out.



1. ) Idles slightly rough. Some say its no big deal and its due to the injectors I installed and that its normal, some others say no, I have somthing else wrong. I installed a set of Jammer 4 8 hole tips. Had the tips installed at a local shop and pop tested as well. Put them in after doing the headgasket/o-ring/stud job a few weeks ago. I did have some diesel fuel leaks around the fuel delivery lines at the head, but I took the lines off, cleaned them up and re installed them, looks like it might have cleared that up, but I havent cleaned all the fuel off yet. Still idles a little rough. When the AC is on, and the pump cycles, the engine slightly stumbles for a milla sec, then goes back to normal... well sorta normal. Its hard to explain.



2. ) If I park at an incline (nose up hill only) for a few hours, it has a hard time starting, I have to crank it for a few seconds before it fires off. It only started doing this after the headgasket replacement. I have looked for leaks and cant find any at all (except for the delivery lines I mentioned above, and beleive I fixed that. ) Could it be I have a leaky Injector delivery tube? Could this cause this, as well as the slighly rough idle?



What I have done, replaced all filters, and cleaned up the fuel line fittings, polished them up nice again, as they had many little spurs on them. I am running the Vulcan Big line kit with pump relocation, no leaks anywhere and I get 15+PSI at start up. The fuel canister in the tank is gutted, if that makes any difference. Valves are all within spec and all studs are still at the correct torque ( just checked them yesterday )



If ya got some other ideas, I am all for trying them!



Thanks!

 

[Alphacowboy]

Forgot to mention this one as well, EGTs... what should I expect to be normal for these injectors? Lately, averaging 750-800* at 70MPH running 2k RPMs. Thats with 35" tires, 3:55's and in 5th gear.



I have a stock turbo at the moment. Let me guess, pulling a trailer with the Jammer 4s and a stock turbo aint going to happen. Not a super heavy trailer, but its not small either.



BTW, I dont use the Comp regularly anymore, it is off unless a Ford needs to be put in its place or I need to make a quick pass, or merge, other than that, it stays off.

 

[Huff N Puff]

Sounds like you are pulling air

Gutting the fuel module might be the cause of air getting pulled in. To check for air run the supply line from the filter housing,the one that supplies the VP,into a large clear bottle. a large olive oil bottle is perfect, Run the line to 1" of the bottom of the bottle. Power up your fuel pump with a jumper wire, fill the bottle a few inches above the hose. Continue to run the pump,while you watch the fuel exiting the hose into the diesel already in the bottle, see if it contains air. Also keep track of the volume of fuel to the amount of time that you run the pump. Please post your results so we can figure out the problem.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I had a miss at idle when one of my crossover tubes wasn't seated correctly and there were no visible fuel leaks either. With that said big injectors can cause a sloppy idle also. For the hard starting, did you check the return fuel line off the back of the head for leaks? I don't know if a bad crossover tube seal can cause hard starts or not, but it sounds like air in the system from somewhere.



Dan

 

[Alphacowboy]

return line is dry. Also, the canister has been gutted for well over a year, this problem only came up after the head work. I am confused. Its obviously sucking air into the system some where, But I have no idea where, you would think a system that is under pressure would leak and give you the point of failure, but its not, so I am a little worried its a connecting tube.



Quick question, this brought up a thought, when I installed the injectors I tightened down the retainers, then installed the connecting tubes, should I have installed the connecting tubes, injector lines, then tighten down the injector retainers?

 

[SpicyJam]

Matt, changing injectors can a pain or easy, there is only a few things to look for. First with the transfer tubes I suspect were out of the head since I knew you had your head off. So then first install the injectors, tighten them down. Then just put a little bit of lube around the o-ring on each transfer tube, most hard starts are caused by a tore o-ring on the tube after an injector swap. One then would install lines, once fired check for leaks, pay attention to the return line on the back of the head.

A couple of things come to mind though, are you sure there is nothing where the injector seats possibly causing the sealing copper washer to leak? If not I would take back out the transfer tubes to see if they are mared, and check the o-rings.

Next... ... ... ... ... why did you waste your money on Jammers? They are a very inconsistant flowing injector, as well as over rated in HP claims. Did you have Diesel Componets set em up? If so and you have checked everything else out I mentioned above give Phil a call, you may have to pop them off again... ... ..... call me tonight once you get things checked out. Later Jim.

 

[Alphacowboy]

Next... ... ... ... ... why did you waste your money on Jammers? They are a very inconsistant flowing injector, as well as over rated in HP claims. Did you have Diesel Componets set em up? If so and you have checked everything else out I mentioned above give Phil a call, you may have to pop them off again... ... ..... call me tonight once you get things checked out. Later Jim.

Why... . cuz I am a cheap ***... . :-laf Trust me, I was worried about your rath on that one... Chalk it up, I guess I should listen to ya more...



Anyway, yes, I had Diesel Componets set them up, before I talked to ya today I was contemplating bringing them in and having them tested again, just to be sure. I probably wont have time to mess with the truck now until next weekend. I leave sunday and wont be back until next friday. Working out of town But when I get back, I will dig into it. I just dont have time this weekend to mess with it.

 

[SpicyJam]

Ahhhhh, when ya wreck stuff I will be there to pick up the pieces and get ya going the right direction again. If you do not find anything from just checking a few things I would call Phil and see what is up. When you get back and are working on it let me know, I may come on over and lend a hand, have to visit my little brother anyway soon and see how he is doing.

Here is a little pic to get you to come out to IRP someday with us, later Jim.



#ad
Ya, brand new rubber and the wife begging me to do this... ... well it wasn't that hard to twist my arm!!!!

 

[Alphacowboy]

Thanks Jim... . I just hope I dont break it any time soon! For got to ask you about that clutch disk today, should I just call SBC or can ya hook me up?



By all means, I am game for any help! I am going to be at a wedding on saturday next week. I am going to be around on thursday and friday it looks like as well, I know you work though, but I may tear into it then. Since I will be home and dont have any work lined up for those 2 days, i probably will be working on my kitchen! Going on 2 weeks without a kitchen SUCKS! Cabinets go in tomorrow so I will need to get going on the tops next week when I am home. Anyway, give me a call next week if ya want, if your in the area, I am more than happy to welcome you to my disaster... . I mean home... lol

 

[SpicyJam]

I can call Peter and get one coming just let me know when you are ready for sure. Later Jim.