Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Running out of fuel

[Gordon Maney]

It is my understanding that if I run my 2001 24V Cummins out of fuel, I have to bleed injector lines to get it to run right. Looking in the manual, I do not see where the bleed points are, and thus far anyway I have not seen a valve or bleed point on the engine I am confident about. I have a Kubota tractor with a diesel, and it has some bleed valves identified for that purpose.



Does the Cummins system have specific bleeder valves, or do you just use line connections? It is not my intent to run out of fuel, of course, but over the years I have a few times with my diesel tractors.

 

[JEMOORE]

Fuel running out

Not sure if this will answer to your satisfaction but it may help. I was installing a fuel pressure gauge on top of the filter housing, this took a little fuel, I also drained quite a bit out of the housing at the same time. Like a big dummy I started my truck without giving it time to prime back up. After just a few seconds of ideling it died. Oh no, out of fuel. ( or basically the same thing, maybe) It took me quite a few minutes get it to restart. I actually removed the other pressure test plug and hit the key. It made quite another mess of fuel. After replaceing the plug it still took about 5 trys before it finally started. Thats all I had to do on the bleeding. I really thank that would be about the same as running out of fuel because it did run out from the filter on to the injectors. Its was really no problem getting fuel to the filter from the tank. However the tank and lines were still full of fuel. I assume the lift pump is self priming. If it is not that would be another problem in its self. If i'm travelling I carry an extra 5Gal. just in case. Thought I was going to have to use it a time or two.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

After changing my stock lift pump, then adding a Pusher pump (Which involved draining the fuel lines) all i did to re prime my fuel system was bump the starter and wait 20 seconds. The truck started right up and ran fine after that. That should be all thats required to reprime a truck out of fuel also.

 

[Shooter]

IF your vp and hp injector lines are full of air you will have to crack the injector lins at the head to bleed the air from the hp fuel system. The air will not compress to the necessary pressure to pop the injectors and allow the air to escape. You will need to bleed the injector lines at the head. You will need a wrench to do this. I ran out of fuel once due to a failed tank sending unit, I was able to prime to the vp44 by cycling the lift pump, I did not have a wrench to bleed the hp inj. lines so it would not start, I was towed to Cummins and they bled the hp inj. lines at the head to prime and start the truck. I now carry a wrench just in case.

If you still have fuel in the hp lines then you should be able to restart after priming filter, if not then the hp lines will be air locked and need bleeding.

 

[DDomin]

is it a run of the mill 19mm wrench or a special wrench? I have a 2nd generation 24v cummins.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I have a line wrench in the tool box for the injector line nut(open end wrench mite round the nut).



If you run out out of fuel and don't try to restart with out priming it first it should fire right up. I ran out of fuel twice with my Freightliner (Moose) and twice not believing it was out of fuel I tried to restart. Both times I had to crack injector(s) (the 2nd time fuel gauge wasn't working).

 

[Sticks]

Ditto the above. If the pump and or injector lines get air locked, you will have to crack loose (1 to 1 1/2 turns) the nuts going into the head/valve cover to "bleed" them.

You can get away with just doing #1, 3, and 4. 19mm or 3/4 wrench - never had any problems with an open end rounding off the nuts. Crank the engine for 15-20 seconds, then check to see if you have fuel dripping off the nuts, or running down the top of the engine. Easier if you have help - someone to crank the engine while you watch for the injector lines to start squirting fuel. Once they do, tighten them back up and you should be good to go. Once the engine is running, it will build enough pressure in 2,5 and 6 to purge the air on it's own.

 

[Road Dog]

And don't over tighten the injector lines or the crossover tubes will leak inside the head. You can't loosen #2 without removing the air horn and #6 is just inconvenient. I keep a 3/4" open ended wrench in the truck just in case.