Archived No start

[Joe Mc]

Truck was real low on fuel, ran fine last night, parked in driveway 5% grade. I've had no start because low fuel in the past and was able roll into street and get it running.



This morning tried to start, fired then stalled, lift pump working fine. Rolled into street to get truck level so draw straw would have fuel suction, cycled LP 3 X, pedal to the metal and cranked. It tried to start 2 X firing then stalling, allowed LP to cycle off after each try, 3rd time it fired up and idled fine for about 20 seconds. Then LP went to 0# and it stalled. Cycled key to off, jog starter, no LP psi the big "0" :{ . No more start.



Seems like LP died? I have GDP-392 system w/spin on 2 Micron filter (Glacier Diesel Performance - 392 system, Walbro pump). Is there a fuse in the system somewhere? Or could it be stock relay that the GDP relay is powered by, or possibly GDP relay, or - or - or ???



Was supposed to go look at a used car for daughter today, but really need truck for work Monday. I guess this could be an omen about the used car? Bottom line, truck is dead - :{, was able to push (ugh) across the street from house at least getting it out of the middle of the road . Will steal some fuel from the home heating oil tank and check power to relay & LP after I catch my breath and get some fuel in my belly. In the mean time hope to get an idea where to start / some help here.



Thanks,



Joe Mc

 

[icman95]

The low fuel condition might have introduced air into the fuel system. Assuming that the pump and rest of the stuff is working properly, the air in the fuel lines might do this. You said you're using the spin on filter, but is this in place of or in addition to the factory filter set up? If the factory set up is still in the mix, then I might pour some fuel in it directly from a can, right up to the top. If your spin on filter is vertical, not horizontal, I'd do it there too. This way you get as much air out of the system as possible. Perhaps the fuel pressure went to 0 because it can't pump air and adding fuel like this will help.



Of course there is the possibility that it is the pump, electrical, etc. Might as well try the easy way first, though.

 

[JLandry]

Dumb question, but...



Could the tank be so low on fuel that your draw straw is simply "drawing air"?



John L.

 

[Joe Mc]

Guys, thanks for the replies. My own stupidity did me in again. Luckily I didn't hurt anything.

Simply so low on fuel I sucked air, hence the reason the LP dropped to 0 after I got it running then stalled. 5 gal #2 Home Heating Oil, 4 - 5 series of cycling (jog starter) the LP regained LP psi back to normal. Then 3 cracked injector lines and lot's of cranking got fuel to the 3 lines. Then a good deal of cranking the engine to the point the batteries got real low, help from the wifey mobile (Volvo XC-70) for a jump (embarrassing) and another 5 - 6 series of cranking provided a few puffs from the tail pipe. Another series of this for 5 or 6 times and she fired and wheezed and smoked like a dyno run only white & gray then a few revs to clear the remaining air from the other 3 lines and she smoothed right out. That's it for me from now on when the low fuel indicator comes on I'm filling her up. Typically I go just down to when the needle is touching the right side of the "E" without having this trouble which is mainly relating to the pitch in my driveway making the fuel in the tank move out of the inlet at the draw straw.

Sorry about posting here (911) but I wasn't sure if I was up against my typical bone head mistake or something else. At least during the process I verified the in-line fuse to the GDP relay, stock Fuel System relay and the GDP relay were all good.

Thanks,

 

[JLandry]

Joe,



Maybe it comes from my being a pilot, but I get very uncomfortable when my fuel level level indicator gets below about 1/4 tank so I usually fill up when the fuel gauge shows 1/2.



Too many things can go wrong when you get low or completely run out of fuel (as you've discovered repeatedly it sounds like). Having a nearly full tank of fuel means you'll be prepared for just about anything, so why live on the edge?



Glad you found the problem.



John L.

 

[jkidd]

glad its working. My fuel sending unit "Adjusted" itself, for months I could go 100+ miles after the light came on, then only 15 miles... before running out of gas. Thought something else was wrong. I now try to keep 1/4 tank minimum.