Help- fuel problem on vacation!

[DZinger]

Folks,



Looking for some help. We are on the first leg of our vacation and afraid to stop anywhere and shut off the truck for fear of being stranded.



Acts like not getting fuel - cranks fine and fuel pressure gage shows 5-7 psi and drops to 3 on first crank. Has happened three times thus far. Each time, it has started on 2nd attempt and runs great.



We are towing the 5'er and as stated, first stop on two week vacation - a little nervous...



Any ideas?



Thanks in advance...

 

[amsoilman]

Folks,



Looking for some help. We are on the first leg of our vacation and afraid to stop anywhere and shut off the truck for fear of being stranded.



Acts like not getting fuel - cranks fine and fuel pressure gage shows 5-7 psi and drops to 3 on first crank. Has happened three times thus far. Each time, it has started on 2nd attempt and runs great.



We are towing the 5'er and as stated, first stop on two week vacation - a little nervous...



Any ideas?



Thanks in advance...

HAve you tried changing out your fuel filter?



Wayne

 

[Jefff929]

have you got the TDR Travel Companion?

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

When you first try to start the truck, are you turning the key and immediately cranking it, or giving it a few seconds to build pressure?

 

[DZinger]

Changed the filter on normal schedule last time, but going to go look for one today. I have the travel companion, but like a fool, it is not traveling with me - it is at home. As for cranking right away, I tried both. If I let it sit for a few seconds the pressure drops to 2-3psi, but I found yesterday that if I cycle the key a second time before cranking, it starts right up.

 

[DZinger]

OK - changed the filter today and all seems well. Builds and holds presure at 7-8 psi before cranking and starts right up. I looked back at my records as it seemed not all that long ago that I had changed the filter - in January. I forgot how many miles I put on the truck - that was 16,000 miles ago! I will carry spare with me at all times now. Thanks for the help, all!

 

[MMeier]

Got lucky...

... this time !!

 

[Missouri Mule]

15,000 to 16,000 is the time to change it(Every other oil change if your doing 7,500 intervals) .

Also you can get Travel Companion info on the web site.

 

[AH64ID]

OK - changed the filter today and all seems well. Builds and holds presure at 7-8 psi before cranking and starts right up. I looked back at my records as it seemed not all that long ago that I had changed the filter - in January. I forgot how many miles I put on the truck - that was 16,000 miles ago! I will carry spare with me at all times now. Thanks for the help, all!

Glad it got working for you... Just be sure to use a filter that meets OE Spec (OEM, Donaldson P550800, and Baldwin PF7977 are it)...



With a fuel psi gauge you should be able to extend your filter life and change based on psi drop. . I have 19K miles on my filters with only a . 5psi drop from new (WOT)

 

[DZinger]

My thanks to all of you - another reason I look at this site quite often. I do have the gage which helped in showing the psi drop before cranking. Stayed at 7psi while running and that is what threw me for a loop. I usually change them at 10,000 or when the pressure drops below 5psi, whichever comes first - just forgot this time. I got a filter from Advance Auto as it was all that was available at the time, but it will get changed to the usual Donaldson when I return home from the vacation and change the oil out.



Thanks again!

Don

 

[Motorhead]

Don, Glad you got it running well. Buy TWO fuel filters and keep a spare one behind the back seat.

 

[DZinger]

Beginning to think I got some really bad fuel or someone was mischevious and put something in the tank. I got about 400 miles out of the new filter and as the fuel tank got down to about 1/8 tank, it started doing it again yesterday. I got another filter and will install it this morning and keep the tank above 1/2 tank till we get home where I can drop it the tank and have a look.



Pressure goes to about 6-7psi when I first turn the key then drops to almost 0psi. I cycle the key 2 or 3 times to get enough fuel into the filter bowl and it starts and then runs great with no loss of power and once running builds 7-8psi...



Only thing I can come up with is something in the bottom of the tank given that it was fine until I ran it down low.