Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) sick 12'er

[Lonestar]

This actually happened about 6 weeks ago, but I've been to busy to mess with the truck since, and haven't had much time to post.



On my 98' listed in my signature, I was on a trip to Amarillo, truck was running fantastic and getting right at its usual 20mpg, when I stopped to get fuel in town. Rarely do I ever shut the truck off to fuel, but this time I did. I filled the truck with fuel, went inside for refreshments, attempted to start the truck and bang. It immediately sounded like it is running on 3 cylinders, coughing blue smoke everywhere, and barely able to run. I initially thought bad fuel, or gas in the fuel, but the reaction was instant when I started the truck, so I know the fuel from the station never made it into the engine. What could cause this? Head problem? spun bearing? I don't know what it could be. I'm hoping to get the truck to my mechanic this coming week, but I want to pick some other folks brains as well. The truck does appear to have lost compression on at least one cylinder, when it is cranking, the starter will have a stutter in its cranking like it speeds up for a quick second.



Sorry for the long post



Corey

 

[Missouri Mule]

You need to crack open the injector lines to see if each cylinder is getting fuel.



From 96 service manual: Low Pressure lines , Fuel line restrictions or a defective fuel transfer pump can cause starting problems and keep the engine from revving up. The starting problems include low power, and blue or white fog like exhaust.



A defective injection pump or misadjusted timing can cause starting problems or keep the engine from revving up. It also can cause blue or white smoke from the exhaust... .



Your not using a Fram oil filter are you?

 

[JMcCoy]

Do you drain the water/fuel separator often? I would not fuel a vehicle while running, not even diesels. I was on a very small soapbox. LOL

 

[mikejkd]

JMcCoy, Why wouldn't you fuel a vehicle when it is running?

 

[Delrayz]

1-3 mins idle time for turbo, fill it while it idles and cool the turbo at same time.

 

[GAmes]

Check to see if your fuel shut off solenoid is pulling the lever full up. If it is gummed up and only partly moving it would explain the sudden problem.

 

[Lonestar]

Just heard back from my mechanic, motor is coming out for full rebuild. It appears that a dirty injector melted through a piston. Not sure which piston yet, i hope to go take a pic or two tomorrow.

 

[JMcCoy]

JMcCoy, Why wouldn't you fuel a vehicle when it is running?

A running vehicle creates a great ammount of static electricity. When the nozzle touches the fuel filler, there is a possibility of igniting the fumes. Yes, this is more likely to occure on a gas vehicle. This does still pose a very real threat to diesels. Many people burn their vehicles down and some are even killed by doing this. Chances are you can do this for the rest of your life and not have a problem, but I would not risk being one of the unlucky.



I know this doesn't apply to us, but many new vehicles computers will trip the check engine light if filled while running. I had to fill my patrol car (Ford Crown Vic) while running, even though I was aware of the issue, because my battery was bad and I couldn't shut off the car. The light stayed on for two fill ups. I didn't notice any issues other than the light.



I would save time somewhere other than cooling the turbo during fill-ups. I appologize if I sounded like I was preaching. I try not to.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Just heard back from my mechanic, motor is coming out for full rebuild. It appears that a dirty injector melted through a piston. Not sure which piston yet, i hope to go take a pic or two tomorrow.

I highly doubt that is the problem, bad injectors do NOT cause burned/melted pistons on 12-valve or VP-pump 24-valve engines. Most likely your problem is pretty simple and not an internal problem at all and pulling/tearing down the motor will be a waste of time and money. How did you mechanic determine the problem?? If you did have a damaged piston it would knock quite loudly, but otherwise run pretty smoothly.

I'm pretty sure you have a faulty fuel line (they've been known to crack or break back by the fuel tank), suddenly plugged filter, bad shutdown solenoid (as mentioned), or failed lift pump.

Before pulling the motor get a second opinion. . .

As for filling up with the motor running I do it all the time. . . it takes quite a bit of heat to create any sort of vapors from diesel fuel, I think it has to be around 120-130F or more before this happens. Chances of starting a fire fueling up are extremely remote. . . never have heard of it before.

 

[JMcCoy]

As for filling up with the motor running I do it all the time. . . it takes quite a bit of heat to create any sort of vapors from diesel fuel, I think it has to be around 120-130F or more before this happens. Chances of starting a fire fueling up are extremely remote. . . never have heard of it before. [/QUOTE]



120-130F I don't think that is accurate, but how hot do you think it gets in the tank in the summer? I don't know about you, but I check my oil when I fuel up. Of course, I also talk on the cell phone at the pumps The signs say that is a big no no too. Sorry this was all off topic.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Heh I talk on a cell phone when filling too. . .

Just checked, the flash point of diesel is 143F on average- gasoline flash point is a chilly -40F

 

[DieselDoghouse]

The cell phone thingy is a myth (see mythbusters) perpetuated into a regulation now being discredited (I don't see the idiot decals appearing on new pump installs). Now, fueling while wearing your disco polyester tux and going in/out of your cab repeatedly - THAT could be problemo (static)!!