Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Truck takes a good 5-10 minutes to start when only in the 40s. This problem has followed me for months from the 160 pump and injectors to a 215 pump and DDP3 injectors. Even before i put the engine in, it did not want to crank and all lines on the engine at the point were brand new going directly from a can of diesel. I suspect the lift pump. Approximately 100,000 miles on the engine.
Just installed a new fuel filter. When i installed the new filter, i'd forgotten to fill it. Ran batteries dead cranking. Took almost 45 minutes with jumper cables, cranking until it started again. Probably spent 20 minutes pumping the primer on the lift pump. Cracked a line off the pump and had no fuel while cranking.
Grid heaters are definitely working but seem to have zero effect, even if held for 2 minutes solid before cranking again. No shutoff solenoid, i use a manual cable and definitely have full travel. I have to pull the cable a few inches out to shut off the truck so that is not the problem. Electrical system is very strong, makes 14. 5 volts when running.
Starter spins fast and strong. Engine acts like it could catch but doesn't for several minutes. This afternoon i had to let the starter keep spinning while giving it pedal for about 10 seconds the last time when it finally kept going ont its own. Seems like it isn't getting fuel. There is gray smoke while cranking. All fuel lines have recently been gone over so i don't suspect any air leaks. Fuel heater has been bypassed.
The loud ticking noise others describe is very prevalent when the engine is running, especially at higher RPMs. Louder than the engine, big tires, and 5" exhaust. I'm suspecting the lift pump based on what i've researched. Truck runs very strong, will smoke heavily down low, makes over 42 psi boost so it has power. However, fuel economy is barely over 15 mpg all highway miles. Will a failing lift pump cause poor fuel economy?
Throttle pedal barely seems to help it start in the cold after several minutes of cranking intermediately. When the engine is warm the truck starts almost immediately. There have been a handful of times when warm that it cranks several seconds before starting. If it is cold outside after work and in the mornings, it takes several minutes to start, seeming like it may never start. Engine runs very smooth after it finally stumbles to life. Just seems like it doesn't have fuel.
I have yet to try a fuel pressure gauge and i'm not sure where to plumb it in, i have very limited tools or funds. I'm curious if i could reinstall my old PSD electric fuel pump and not worry about the lift pump. My concern is that the electric fuel pump may send too much fuel through the 12 valve Cummins system and create leaks in the fuel system from excessive pressure. I guess i'm making 300-350 hp on my stock turbo.
Do my symptoms sound like a lift pump or something else? There is not one spot of anything leaking under my truck in the driveway, even if it sits for as many as 3 days. If i need a new lift pump, where should i buy the most reliable, yet affordable unit?
Thanks,
Matt
Just installed a new fuel filter. When i installed the new filter, i'd forgotten to fill it. Ran batteries dead cranking. Took almost 45 minutes with jumper cables, cranking until it started again. Probably spent 20 minutes pumping the primer on the lift pump. Cracked a line off the pump and had no fuel while cranking.
Grid heaters are definitely working but seem to have zero effect, even if held for 2 minutes solid before cranking again. No shutoff solenoid, i use a manual cable and definitely have full travel. I have to pull the cable a few inches out to shut off the truck so that is not the problem. Electrical system is very strong, makes 14. 5 volts when running.
Starter spins fast and strong. Engine acts like it could catch but doesn't for several minutes. This afternoon i had to let the starter keep spinning while giving it pedal for about 10 seconds the last time when it finally kept going ont its own. Seems like it isn't getting fuel. There is gray smoke while cranking. All fuel lines have recently been gone over so i don't suspect any air leaks. Fuel heater has been bypassed.
The loud ticking noise others describe is very prevalent when the engine is running, especially at higher RPMs. Louder than the engine, big tires, and 5" exhaust. I'm suspecting the lift pump based on what i've researched. Truck runs very strong, will smoke heavily down low, makes over 42 psi boost so it has power. However, fuel economy is barely over 15 mpg all highway miles. Will a failing lift pump cause poor fuel economy?
Throttle pedal barely seems to help it start in the cold after several minutes of cranking intermediately. When the engine is warm the truck starts almost immediately. There have been a handful of times when warm that it cranks several seconds before starting. If it is cold outside after work and in the mornings, it takes several minutes to start, seeming like it may never start. Engine runs very smooth after it finally stumbles to life. Just seems like it doesn't have fuel.
I have yet to try a fuel pressure gauge and i'm not sure where to plumb it in, i have very limited tools or funds. I'm curious if i could reinstall my old PSD electric fuel pump and not worry about the lift pump. My concern is that the electric fuel pump may send too much fuel through the 12 valve Cummins system and create leaks in the fuel system from excessive pressure. I guess i'm making 300-350 hp on my stock turbo.
Do my symptoms sound like a lift pump or something else? There is not one spot of anything leaking under my truck in the driveway, even if it sits for as many as 3 days. If i need a new lift pump, where should i buy the most reliable, yet affordable unit?
Thanks,
Matt
