Hard Starting

[Bob Ellithorpe]

O. K. Guys, I need your help and guidance. I made a post last week about my truck starting hard after sitting overnight. Most of you thought it was the return fuel line,which I still think it is - this is where I need your help - I just crawled out from under my truck and I have diesel fuel dripping from the drivers side frame rail. I've found two lines with plastic protective loaming material covering two metal wire braided flexible lines. I can't tell if the fittings on the lines are leaking or not. Are the flexible lines the original ones or a D/C fix?? The starter has no fuel on it and the rubber lines farther up don't appear to have any raw fuel on them either. I haven't really got a good look at the lines farther up near the fuel filter and I assume those are the ones that usually have to be replaced. The braided lines appear to have a plastic connecter fitting similar to the infamous transmission lines. Should I replace these lines or leave well enough alone?? I've removed the plastic protective loaming to see if I can see where the leak is at.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!!!!

 

[Joe G.]

The first thing to do is replace the rubber lines. Both return and supply while you're at it. That's the cheapest repair and the most likely problem. Make sure the lines you use are rated for diesel or you will be doing it again before too long.

------------------
Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[illflem]

Most of the time the rubber hose that you can't see is the problem, though some folks have had trouble with the rigid steel lines leaking especially where the hold downs are welded to them. If the steel line is leaking I personally would use a tubing cutter to cut the line short all the way back by the fuel tank, then use a longer hose. It would actually make the hose replacement easier.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Your rubber fuel lines are close if not touching the lower fire wall. If you saw the fuel on the frame under drivers door it could be runing down fire wall or running down top of fuel line.
As stated in earlier post the fuel return line(rubber)unless really bad mite not show signs of leaking.
The part of the line that cracks faces the head and intake manifold.
Your supply line could have leak and sucks in air at start up unless primed.

If frame is wet with fuel by tire look for leaks at fuel filter and fuel heater/lift pump and hose that connects them.