Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard to start after a few hours

[PSoffe]

Hello everyone, I am so new to this forum that I literally ordered my subscription three hours ago in hopes that I could post a thread today.



I have a 2001 4wd 24V, my dilemma is this. It seems that after a few hours (4-5) the truck is hard to start. I turns over as if there is no fuel which there is and concerns me because this means the IP is dry. After approximately three attempts it fires and runs fine. No performance problems. If I start the truck within a two to three hour time frame it starts normally. I was concern that the LP was bad. (no gauges to this point).



Today I made an unusual discovery that I have not noticed previously. After only a few miles of driving when I remove the fuel cap, there is vacuum in the tank. Could it be that after driving the truck, creating the vacuum that as it sits the vacuum is drawing fuel out of the LP and IP essentially removing the prime? Is this possibly something as simple as a new fuel cap?







I am truly puzzled and this is my first diesel and desperately want to stay away from the dealer.



Any help would be great

 

[lschultz]

Check the roll over valve on top of the fuel tank. My son had this problem with his 99 and some mud had clogged it up or dirt dodders. His was not hard to start just had a vacuum on the cap on the tank.

 

[PSoffe]

Check the roll over valve on top of the fuel tank. My son had this problem with his 99 and some mud had clogged it up or dirt dodders. His was not hard to start just had a vacuum on the cap on the tank.

Larry, Thanks, I checked the valve and sure enough it was plugged. I have to drive the truck about eighty miles tonight so we will see if that was the fix. If not, then hopefully we can get somemore suggestions.

Thanks again.

Pat

 

[GKinney]

roll over valve

My question is,,, what is the easiest way to clean it??? I had my tank out when I installed my big suction pipe... ... and I tried to clean the tube out on top with a small drill bit rolling it between my fingers. Well I found out that it is still plugged when I took the fuel cap off there was vacuum built up. As long as the cap vent doesn't freeze up I am alright. Thinking of installing some sort of separate vent next time I pull the tank. Thanx. gary

 

[PSoffe]

I was able to lightly run a small wire (appx 1/8" dia) in and then use a lite air pressure to make sure that it was clear. Hope it works, I should know soon enough.



Pat

 

[lschultz]

We put a air hose in the neck of the tank and pressurize the tank to about 20 lbs and air started coming out the vent.

 

[RMcNee]

Ok I am having the same problems with the vaccum, where is this roll over valve located?

 

[PSoffe]

Where's it at?

As far as the 2001, it is located on top of the tank right next to the large opening/nut to access the sending unit. It is about an inch in diameter. Mine turned a 1/4 turn clockwise to remove it from the tank there will be a small 1/8" (appx) diameter tube sticking out at a right angle that is what was clogged on mine. I used a small wire and light air pressure to un-clog it.

 

[SnoKing]

Some of them came for the factory with a dust cap on it that they forgot to remove also. SNOKING

 

[GKinney]

roll over valve

PSoffe,,, so that is all it takes to remove the valve?? Not sure if mine is set up the same on my 98. 5. Seems like my valve was bigger than 1" o. d. ,,, but not sure. I do know it is fastened to the top of the fuel module. I was looking it over when I had the module out... . was in a hurry to get the tank back in so I didn't investigate it very closely. Maybe if mine just twists out, I can pull it out and not remove the tank. Something to do on a rainy day I guess. Thanks for all the tips.



p. s. yes snoking good point on the caps.

 

[monkfarm]

Gul dang! what a great club! Who would have thought of that? What an interesting problem!