Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How does this damn thing work?

[sodomoto]

Hi fella's,

I have a '98. 5 CTD that I've owned for almost 2 years, in that time it has always started within 2 seconds of turning the key, it would just burst into life. Sunday I went out to start it and it wouldn't. After resetting the key and carefully watching the start light I tried again, and again until I finally held the key for what must have been ten seconds and it started. I have tried this several times and it's always the same when cold, when hot it starts a little better, however if I turn it off and wait an hour I'm back to cranking again (before if I waited five or six hours between starts it would start as if I had just turned it off).

Any ideas of things a guy with no diesel experience could check before a trip to the dealer?



Thanks- Mark 206-909-8877



On an unrelated note; how does one put a signature on his posts?

 

[Alphacowboy]

sounds like you have an air leak in your fuel system. Could be fuel is draining out of the fuel system, there for leaving your fuel filter near empty. ALSO, could be your lift pump is dead. do you have any gauges? Primarily a FP gauge?

 

[sodomoto]

Alphacowboy, this truck is bone stock no gauges or bombs. Would the fuel level be visible from outside?



Mark

 

[B.G. Smith]

Look at the fuel fiilter area for signs of diesel stains, if it is leaking, you may be able to tell where, check the drain valve on the filter and be sure it is closed. There have been some problems with the lines on top of the tank and a return line which is at the rear of the cylinder head. bg

 

[Alphacowboy]

let it sit over night, then check the fuel filter to see if it has drained out. Obviously do this before cranking it over. Also, to check your lift pump, you could bump the starter and you should hear the lift pump running, also, you could open the water/bleeder valve on the fuel canister and when you bump the starter it should flow fuel out that bleader, if not, its dead.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

There is a banjo bolt on the fuel return from the VP 44 that is a pressure regulator, if it is bad it will allow the fuel to drain back to the tank.

 

[PSoffe]

Inspect the check valve on the fuel tank. Mine was plugged with dirt. this created a vacuum in the tank and was causing the lift pump to labor thus hard start. The other indicator was when you removed the fuel cap you could hear the vacuum. once the vacuum was released truck started right up.