Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) (help again)metal in screen in preheater

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Sounds like you're still getting air somewhere. Try pushing the primer button a dozen or more times and try cranking it again.

 

[Joe G.]

Take the fuel heater out and throw it away.

 

[JHaywood]

the fuel heater is already gone. won the nitro harley dirt drags,thats a good thing.

 

[Willys]

mine was broke, It just held 5-10 psi at full load and popped and smoked.

Jim

Just an update to this. I checked the overflow valve on my '95 CTD and the spring in it was broken into 3-4 pieces. It sputtered a little when it was cold at and slightly above idle, and was a little slow to accelerate until the turbo really kicked in. Then it seemed to run fine.



Now it idles a lot smoother, I haven't road tested it but I'm hoping a little more power is there. :-laf

 

[Joe G.]

A P7100 equiped truck will run with really low fuel pressure. It just gets hard to start. When my OF valve failed mine limped home with six PSI. It was running pretty good, but it refused to start after I turned it off at home.

 

[Willys]

That's the crazy thing, this one started quicker with a broken spring than the other 5 CTD trucks we have around here.



I put the old stock one from my '96 in to keep it going until I can get a new spring or valve.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Glad to hear it's a cheap & easy fix! It will definitely run better with a good spring in there!

 

[JHaywood]

willys where is the overflow vale?

 

[Joe G.]

#ad

 

[Willys]

That's the front of the injection pump, between the pump and block. The hose is the upper radiator hose... You might have to file a little more out of the block to get it out- I did on my '95, but not on my '96.



Thanks for posting that pic, Joe. I probably miss a lot of replies, since the 'instant email notification of replies' rarely seems to let me know that someone replied to a thread...





Oh yeah, something came to mind... Have you made sure that the filter is sealing completely when you screw it on? I've had the 'stud' that holds it on back off a few threads and leak air/fuel. It take an allen tool to tighten it, don't recall the size. I imagine the water in fuel sensor could be a potential, but less likely culprit as well.



Good luck.

 

[JHaywood]

thanks willys,got that out,the spring was at . 450 pulled it out to . 550. will have all i need to install fuel presure gauge tommorow after work,then will try it again. would . 450 make it not start?

 

[JHaywood]

added fuel presure gague,did the hand pump,heard sound form pumping the pump,first time i heard that,only used the hand punp when changing filters before this. started quicker than before when using hand pump. needle was bouncing from 20 to 29 iddling. would not start this morning. this afternoon punped hand pump 20 times fired right up. before pumped it 200 times and had to crank and crank to get it started before. am i loosing prime?if so what do i need to do?or is there still an air leak?

 

[Willys]

I can't remember off the top of my head, but does anyone know if there is an anti drainback valve in the tank?

 

[JHaywood]

Finally, I think I got it. . It fired RIGHT up this morning. Oo. Oo. This you won't believe, yesterday I discovered I had failed to put the gasket back on the banjo bolt! when I added the fuel gauge. Once I put it back on, the o'l geaser has stated 1st time for three consecutive times. When you hear the starter engage it starts right up as before this ever started. I believe it was a combo of the lift pump, fuel line, overflow valve and of course the gasket I left off. Total cost $155. ? not bad for nearly 300,000 miles.



Thanks everyone for all your inputs and suggestions.

 

[SilverSage]

I had a similar problem and replaced my (carter) lift pump. After much trouble and great expense I determined that the pre-heater/screen & elbow hose was most likely sucking air and the lift pump was OK, even though I had serviced the pre-heater/screen less than 2 years ago. There is a kit Mopar # 04762962 for about $50. 00 to rebuild the pre-heater. A new pre-heater assembly from Cummins is about $230. 00. Dodgeram.org has an article on rebuilding the assembly. Good Luck!!

 

[Joe G.]

Throw the fuel heater away. It does NOT help you start no matter where you live. Actually it's worthless. Just an expense and problem you don't need.