Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Out of Ideas

[PHellums]

Installed one of the billet fuel filter caps from Geno's today now the truck won't start. I tried all the usual things that you have to do after you change a fuel filter and still nothing. Reinstalled the stock cap and after a little while it started right up! Tried to then put billet cap on, then it wouldn't start again I played this littl ecat and mouse game for about 2 hours and finally gave up. Does anyone have any ideas about what the problem could be? Any suggestions would be helpful.



Thanks

 

[Supermod56]

Other than it is sucking air from either the pipe plug on top, or the thread fit is too loose in the fuel canister, but I would think the o-ring would take care of that. Take the pipe plug out and re-seal it and see what happens. Let us know if you find the problem, I want to get one of those cool caps.



Tom

 

[Allnew2Me]

I changed my fuel filter for the first time after I bought my truck and I had the same problem. Here is what I did. I drained the filter and removed the top. after replacing the filter I put the cap on and then clicked the starter without starting the engine which runs the lift pump for about 20 seconds and should have filled the filter housing. It didn't. Darn thing would not start. after a few minutes of this I thought I would go read those shop manuals I bought from Genos. Dodge says to fill the filter housing with diesel fuel part way and then install the filter. After I did that it still didn't start so I bled the air out by loosening the banjo bolt at the injector pump while clicking the starter again to prime the line. After two 20 second runs I got fuel instead of air. I tightened the bolt and bingo! Try that and see if it works.

 

[PHellums]

i think it might have something to do with the fact that the new lid doesn't hold the fuel filter like the stock one does. It just sits down in the bowl. I think it might be restricting the incoming flow or something? I looked into the air leak thing and it doesn't seem to have a leak anywhere. All the threads are supposed to be self sealing.



Supermod56 I'll let you know how it works out for me.

 

[trqmnstr]

I recently installed a billet cap and it fired up right away. I hope you get it figured out.

 

[DieselMinded]

I have a after market Fuel Filter cap also.



And my truck is always a pain to get started after the fuel filter change reguradless what cap was on.



I just drain the FF about 1/2 way then drop in the new filter works good for me .



be sure you plugged the tapped port on your new FF cap



DM

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Did you change the filter at the same time? Have you checked your fuel pressure to be sure that your lift pump is working? If your lift pump is dead (VERY common) you will have a very hard time getting the fuel system primed.

 

[PHellums]

I was actually in the process of installing a fuel pressure gauge when this problem arose, so I'm not real sure what the readings are. But I don't know why it would start with one and not the other. When I got it to start with the old lid on, I tried to reinstall the billet one and then it died again just like before. Does anyone know how I could leak check the billet cap to see if maybe it's sucking in air around the threads?



Billet cap question: Should the fuel filter fit snuggly into the cap or be free floating in the bowl? (this might also be my problem?)



Please keep the suggestions comin', I'm trying all possible aspects.

 

[PHellums]

finally figured it out

after being confused and thoroughly p. o. 'd for about a week or so I finally figured out the problem. It was a dead lift pump! I don't know why it would turn over for the old filter and cap but not the new one. Once I changed the pump it cranked right over like it was brand new. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.