Had the beast towed home last night

[JLEONARD]

Ran out of fuel again. This time however, I could not get it bleed out and stay running. I could get it to bleed out of the filter housing, but nothing at the inj pump. When I was able to get some little dribbles there (not a good flowe) the truck woul fire up ... but only run for 30 seconds or so.

This has happened two other times but I was always able to bleed to the inj pump , then she runs great.

What I have done and am doing...

I had pressurized the tank to look for leaks, bad hoses between the tank and lift pump. All looked/felt good.

Lift pump is only 2 years old... I am now waiting for a new one to get delivered from out of town. Parts store guy says that generally he can't stock enough diesel lift pumps lately. (hmmmm... USLD?)

Rubber fuel line to the lift pump looks ok... . but the crappy clamp bottoms out and I could easily rotate the hose (sucking air perhaps?) I'm replacing that piece of hose and the clamps.

My fuel heater has been comming out last few times I've changed the filter (last time was 2 weeks ago). So I found an upper gasket to the heater at the local dealer, that's in and I properly assembled the "stud" with locktite. (that is under lift pump pressure and was not leaking so I assume it was ok... but now I'll be sure).

I hooked up my boat oil change pump to the fuel suply line to the lift pump to make sure it could draw thru... . pumps thru like crazy so I assume the system from the tank to the lift pump if ok.



So once the new lift pump is mounted I'll try to bleed it out... . if it bleeds well and the engine starts and runs for a while (15 minutes or so) I will assume that I have the issue solved ???



Comment please... am I on the right track?? ... ... . don't want to crash my AAA membership let alone have to get towed home again.





Thanks.

 

[dpuckett]

I would just get the 17mm wrnech and bleed it at the injectors and not mess with the stuff before them. That is where the air ends up anyway.



As for replacing your fuel lines and pift pump, I'd say it isnt a bad idea.



Daniel

 

[Philip]

Sorry to hear about the tow.



Look on the bottom side of the inlet into the lift pump. I had a brand new lift pump crack there and pull air. It gave the same results as your having right now on bleeding the system. But it didn't leak any fuel. Just pulled enough air in to not let you prime the system good.

 

[JLEONARD]

Thanks guys.



Lift pump and new line installed. I didn't know a lift pump could manually push so much fuel!! Bled the filter housing and then up to the pump inlet. Maybe 15-20 pumps and they all felt like they were pumping lots of fuel.

Truck has now been running at a high idle (thanks to a piece of yard debris ) for about 5 minutes. Sound great.

If it's still running after my shower I'll be taking it to Mystic (90 minute run).



Opps gotta run. . wife says OFF the computer so we can get there... . this year!!



Later.



ps Daniel they are all 17 mm

 

[dpuckett]

... ps Daniel they are all 17 mm

Yup, that's so people like me can remember what size to get :-laf

DP

 

[PToombs]

Yup, that's so people like me can remember what size to get :-laf

DP

And he STILL uses an 11/16! :-laf

 

[MMeier]

Thanks guys.



Lift pump and new line installed. I didn't know a lift pump could manually push so much fuel!! Bled the filter housing and then up to the pump inlet. Maybe 15-20 pumps and they all felt like they were pumping lots of fuel.

Truck has now been running at a high idle (thanks to a piece of yard debris ) for about 5 minutes. Sound great.

If it's still running after my shower I'll be taking it to Mystic (90 minute run).



Opps gotta run. . wife says OFF the computer so we can get there... . this year!!



Later.



ps Daniel they are all 17 mm

WTH is Mystic???

 

[DBF]

Mystic

Mystic is a small city in southeastern Connecticut. Tourist area, seafood, fishing, boating, shopping, great museum, etc.



I think Jay keeps his Cummins-powered boat down there.







Jay, I'm glad the problem wasn't worse. I carry a spare lift pump on my trips, and will now double-check that it's there every time I head out. O



Regards, DBF

 

[PToombs]

OK, did you make it to Mystic? Or are you stranded on the road?

I swapped mine with a piston pump, and left the FP gauge in so I can watch it. I don't have enough room in the cab to carry all the spare parts I might need!

 

[dpuckett]

I don't have enough room in the cab to carry all the spare parts I might need!

That's why I got a Club Cab :-laf

DP

 

[rumblefish]

I don't have enough room in the cab to carry all the spare parts I might need!

Even if you did, it would all fall through your rusty floor :-laf

 

[PToombs]

Aaaahhh, so true!

 

[JLEONARD]

OK, did you make it to Mystic?

Yes we made it there and back home!Oo.

Truck ran great, and all my connections and attachments are dry.

I was just very surprised that the pump would only last 2 1/2 years... and maybe 40 K miles.

Once I get some time I think I'll be ordering all the parts for the piston pump upgrade and keep those for a spare. If I don't need it I can use the piston pump for the boat engine project I'm working on. (marinizing an '89 engine).

 

[JLEONARD]

As a follow up and being ever curious, I took the failed pump apart to determine the cause of failure.

I first removed the small cup on the bottom of the pump that is held in place with a phillips screw. Inside was clean (thanks fuel filters you did your job)except for a small rubber piece.

That was the only clue so I cut the crimp band that holds the pump halves together, then knocked out the plastic piece that I guess I would call the check valve body.

One of the "check valves" was intact. The other, which I presume to be the intake valve, was not in place. The large rubber piece was deteriorated and would no longer cover the opening (it was no longer round it was oval) ... and the little pice I found in the other cavity was what was left of the shank that holds the large rubber piece in place over the inlet hole.

So the pump could no longer take fuel in due to a failed check valve. Why the rubber disintigrated I have no idea... maybe USLD, maybe just because it was a cheap piece of crap. I'll let you make that call.



But at least now I am 100% positive that the lift pump had failed.



If I knew how to post a pic I would but I think the description will suffice.



Jay

 

[Jgolden]

Jay, what about the Walbro option?



PS, I was "marineized" as a youth, long process...

 

[JLEONARD]

what about the Walbro option

That's a great option, but I'd prefer to stay mechanical... esp for the marine engine.

I was "marineized" as a youth, long process

Fresh water or salt? :-laf:-laf:-laf



Only a real boater would ask that question... ... . :-laf

 

[Jgolden]

what about the Walbro option

That's a great option, but I'd prefer to stay mechanical... esp for the marine engine.

I was "marineized" as a youth, long process

Fresh water or salt? :-laf:-laf:-laf



Only a real boater would ask that question... ... . :-laf

Good point, forgot about the distance from land, thing. My seized diaphram pump was Cummins. The arm was seized in the extended position, maybe from sitting for years.



Saltwater, I guess the word Marine should have been a clue when I joined, but I never realized I could end up at sea. Out of 48 months, I spent 30 on one kind of ship or another.

Now I always read the fine print.

 

[PToombs]

Out of 48 months, I spent 30 on one kind of ship or another.

AAAhh! That explains why you walk like that! I thought it was too much Dew! :-laf

 

[Jgolden]

Pete, Geezer bashing is a federal crime, and in NY state the fines are paid directly to the bashee.

 

[PToombs]

Pete, Geezer bashing is a federal crime, and in NY state the fines are paid directly to the bashee.

Child support all over again! I just got out of that! :-laf



Joe, I didn't really think of you as a geezer, more like a kindly uncle!