Hard and or no start

[WHITE06]

2003 dodge 3500 with 240000 miles have been having a hard no start problem for about 3 mo. It will only start cold with starting fluid but once running for the day will start on its own. I have replaced the fca, installed new tank pump, replaced fuel filter (twice) che cked fuel pressuer at high pressure pump inlet 16psi, rplaced fuel pressure relief valve with no help, could the high pressure pump be going bad?The problem is now worse than before, sometime won't start hot with out help. Truck runs good and seems to have good power when driving, also have checked the crank position senor with scaner and it reads ok. Any help would be appreciated Scott

 

[WHITE06]

Andres, Thanks for your help, I will buy the cap and check for the injector leak, sounds like it is probably whats wrong. Scott

 

[Msilbernagel]

I experienced similar problems and it was the rail pressure relief valve.

I've read that some put a bolt in to block it - which may be Ok if you just wanted to test and see if it solved the start problem.

FYI - Mark

 

[CoastyAV8R]

there is also a check for the rail pressure relief valve to confirm it.

Msilbernagel, how did you confirm it was your rail pressure relief valve? I'm curious cuz I'm chasing down a problem similar to White06's but not nearly as drastic...

 

[HBarlow]

This is an excellent thread with several informative suggestions. I hope the OP will reply when he locates and repairs the cause.

 

[Grizzly]

I had a simular situation with my 95 when it was about 8 years old. Turned out to be a very small leaking rubber fuel line under the engine. It would drain the system at night and leave a small puddle of diesel, which made it very difficult to start the next morning. I replaced the 14" long rubber fuel line and no more hard starting.

 

[Diesel Power]

2003 dodge 3500 with 240000 miles have been having a hard no start problem for about 3 mo. It will only start cold with starting fluid but once running for the day will start on its own. I have replaced the fca, installed new tank pump, replaced fuel filter (twice) che cked fuel pressuer at high pressure pump inlet 16psi, rplaced fuel pressure relief valve with no help, could the high pressure pump be going bad?The problem is now worse than before, sometime won't start hot with out help. Truck runs good and seems to have good power when driving, also have checked the crank position senor with scaner and it reads ok. Any help would be appreciated Scott

At 240k the injectors and injection pump should be replaced, definate on the injectors.



At the dealer get a injector contribution test done ,that could help narrow it down.

 

[Msilbernagel]

Mine was allowing fuel into the return line sufficiently that I heard the squiring sound at an idle... I took it to a shop and they swapped a spare relief valve in to test. It also required enough extra fuel that I could watch the fuel pressure drop pretty dramatically - at first I though the filters were plugged, then that the pump was going bad. It was neither. . just the valve.



I dont' know of another way for certain - though I've heard someone put a bolt it to stop the leak. I don't know if you can do that 'reversibly', if you know what i mean.



By the way, it was cheaper (about a year ago) to buy the rail with both the valve and pressure sensor than to buy the relief valve alone (!). That surprised even the Cummins dealer I purchased it from.



Mark

-

there is also a check for the rail pressure relief valve to confirm it.



Msilbernagel, how did you confirm it was your rail pressure relief valve? I'm curious cuz I'm chasing down a problem similar to White06's but not nearly as drastic...

 

[WHITE06]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP, I found # 2 AND #4 injectors leaking, replaced the set and truck now starts ans runs great, sorry for the delay in response I had to raise the money for the injectors..... they are not cheap.