Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard Start when cold

[RX720B]

New Blue Chip VP-44

New Mopar ECM with Mopar flash

New Raptor 150 with line kit

Glacier Big Line kit

New Fuel Filter

ISSPRO Fuel Pressure with Ashcorft ss snubber (Mounted on the canister)



No Codes (With Reader)

Fuel Pressure 18 PSI Idle, 16-17 WOT



In the morning, it takes 45 seconds to over a minute of cranking to fire; once it does (with ALOT of smoke) it immediately settles down to a smooth consistent idle. The longer the truck sits, the longer it takes to crank. I have the clear 3/8" line hooked to it now with zero signs of air leakage. It still exhibits the symptoms above





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[ToolManTimTaylor]

Silly Question but does it do it when parked facing downhill Vs Uphill? I am about to replace all the fuel lines from my Fass up to the VP as I suspect air getting in allowing a drainback situation. (Well replacing line , VP-44 and injectors as I have other issues it is time to tackle)

 

[hcole]

RX720B, Toolman has the right idea. It is most likely an air leak allowing the injector lines to bleed down. Parking it nose down will not allow the leak to let a lot of fuel to drain back in the tank. I would check the top of the fuel filter housing to see if air is able to leak around the o-ring on the filter cover. I had the same problem and I could barely tell that the top was leaking. I washed the engine thoroughly, let it dry, and then drove it all day at work. Next morning, it was damp around the side of the fuel filter housing. I replaced the o-ring and hard cold starting solved. Hope this helps. Keep us updated.

 

[RX720B]

right now I have baby powder all over the lines. Just picked the truck up from the shop. Had the injectors replaced while I was on vacation. I will need to creat a ledge with some dirt to be able to park uphill and downhill

 

[HD-J78]

I'll jump in here since I am also facing the dreaded hard start issue. I have replaced the injection pump and lift pump. For a while I did not have any problems with starting. Then when ever I park uphill over night it is hard to start in the morning. But it only starts doing that when the tank is near half empty. I leave it at work all day or on flat surface over night or longer and it starts right away. I tried to pressurize the fuel system but did not find anything this way, or did not do it right? The only thing I could come up with was that when I installed the Espar heater that I had to remove the fuel sending unit/fuel tank inlet/outlet assembly that I did not get the seal ring on right. After thinking about this as my possible source of a leak, I thought that that did not make any sense since when the truck is on level ground the fuel level would be below the top and therefor should allow air leakage? I don't really want to replace all the fuel lines. Even if I let the lift pump run first before starting it still takes a long crank to start. I will try and run the lift pump twice tomorrow morning before cranking. Then, maybe I should park down hill for the next test. Any ideas would be appreciated. Why would it only start to do this when the tank is at around half tank?

Thanks.

 

[HD-J78]

Oh yea, I forgot this. I did have a leaking water drain from the fuel filter housing. I got a new one and it seems that the drain lever thing is still getting wet? but nothing leaking out of the drain hole.

 

[RX720B]

Here is part of my problem:

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[HD-J78]

What is it? Is it the bottom of the fuel filter housing? Explanation?

 

[hcole]

HD-J78, I think what you're looking at is the gear on the VP-44 injection pump and the slot forthe key is offset from center. I'mm surprised it ran at all unless this is an offset key.

 

[RX720B]

Hcole is right; I installed the pump and misaligned it. Going to pull the pump and try again.

 

[HD-J78]

Ah so should have recognized it