Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) loosing fuel prime

[DBentley]

My 96 seems to be loosing prime every other time i try to start. I can crank over and over and seems like no fuel. Then if i push rubber fuel pump manual primer 10 or 15 pumps she starts up first crank and runs like a top. No smoke or any other symptom. fuel filter is few months old, rubber return and supply lines look good and Tight with no cracks,fuel screen in lift pump was cleaned out a few months ago,got a fresh tank of fuel with howes additive in it and still having this problem. Thinking about one of the pumps or mabey a ck valve some were?Any ideas?Going to try and rig a temp fuel press gauge this weekend. Thanks

 

[drrhoades]

It is possible that the fuel return line is bad but you can't see the little pin holes in it. From what I have read on this site it doesnt take much air to make it a little difficult to start. If I am wrong someone will correct me.



Doug

 

[bmoeller]

To add to what Doug said, another possiblity, although hasn't happened to me very often (other eqipment so far, not the Dodge), is either a leak around the fuel heater or the primer pump (around the primer button).



If it is the fuel return hose, make sure the new hose rated for diesel.



http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm towards the bottom of the page.

 

[cop0110]

I had the same problem. I replaced my fuel lines the supply line return line and short rubber line between fuel filter and pre heater. Then I replaced the over flow valve on top of the pump. The valve cost me 81. 00 but there is a guy on here that sells them for 25. 00. good luck. Mine started out the way yours is acting and got worse until I replaced all listed above. .

 

[JoshPeters]

Mine does the same thing if I park it nose up in my drveway. If it's nose down or flat it starts fine. Maybe try backing it into your driveway..... That's what I'm doing till I can just replace the fuel return lines.





Josh

 

[Howard Durand]

The rubber fuel return line can fool you. When I took mine off I couldn't see any cracks in the outer jacket of the line but the rubber was badly checked looking straight into the end of the line.

Before I replaced it I would have hard starting after the truck had sat overnight. Once started, it would run fine.



Reach in and feel full length of the hose with your hand. If it comes away wet with fuel, it should be replaced.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

1996 Ram = time to change fuel lines... No doubt about it. I had the return line give up on my 95 over a year ago. Talk about a big fuel leak I'm surprized there hasn't been a recall on that too Seems like a safety issue.