Archived slammed on brakes and truck died

[mstephenson]

Truck description below:



Truck has been sitting for ~2 months. I put on one of those Walbro GL-392 (255gph) pumps. The increased pressure made the fuel canister leak like a seive. So I just left it until now. Here's what happened:



Equip:

Walbro lift pump

New 1/2" line to fuel filter

Fuel filter canister has been JB Welded at fuel heater and canister valve has been taken off and blocked off. It was leaking terribly as well.

Fuel pressure gauge after canister is pegged out way past 30psi

The injection pump was replaced less than 10K miles ago.



So I put everything back together today. I did not preload the filter with fuel. Primed it today by cracking #1 and #3 and let it idle for about 30minutes thinking if air was in system it would cough and die and we could re-prime. it ran fine. Nothing underneath is leaking and outside fuel canister is dry.



Went down the road and tested the drive. It ran great. Someone in front of me was turning so I slowed down and then hit the brakes hard. The truck died instantly (when I left off the pedal or because I hit the brakes?) and I was DOA in the road.



It just cranks over like it's not getting fuel.

I have one of those road relays and am going to see if a code was not logged.

I also need to open the fuel cap to see what is going on with the vacuum created.

Otherwise, I'm at a loss.



Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Mishkaya]

I take it, you are getting fuel pressure to the VP44? If so, you can crack a few injector lines at the head (19mm or 3/4") and have someone crank while you check for fuel. You should have a pretty good flow. If you don't, you can try swapping the fuel relay with the horn relay to make sure that's not the problem. Codes would be most helpful...

BTW, 30 PSI at the VP44 is way too much, you need a pressure regulator in the system...

 

[mstephenson]

I will put fuel relay first on the list of checks. Thanks. Yes, I just read about a hard start issue. I will have it towed home and put the regulator on. I'm making inferences about my case, but if the pressure is that high it's keeping the return check valve open and emptying the fuel back to the tank. So I will be checking into that as well.



Can that high of pressure kill the VP44 in 4 miles of driving?

 

[mstephenson]

No issues with the fuel relay.

No codes.

Researching regualtor to put on.

 

[KRStone]

I sometimes have a problem with my truck dying at a quick stop if the torque converter stays locked up (BD Torq-Loc) when I stop quickly; but yours is probably not the same problem but I wanted to mention it. Mine starts after I put it into neutral no problem.



Since you slammed on the brakes, it is possible the brake switch was broken/misaligned so the truck won't start because it thinks it's in gear? Just throwing it out there so someone more knowlegdable can comment.



KRS

 

[B.G. Smith]

Try disconnecting the fuel pump and see if it will start. I have read that too high fuel pressure will cause hard starting. bg

 

[mstephenson]

I have a 5-speed so the torque converter is not a problem for me.



I am pricing around and researching regulators if anyone has comments on brand/model I am open.



I really want consistantly higher pressures (18idle-15WOT). The carter was only giving me 11# at idle 10#driving and 7-9#WOT with 1/2" line. That's bothersome.



Thanks. I will keep everyone informed. It was towed home this morning and now sits over the same patch of dead grass it was over for the last two months. At least I got to mow that spot.

 

[mstephenson]

BG, I looked at the pressure gauge and it still had 25# just by turning the key on to load on flatbed. I think I will wait for the regulator to arrive.

 

[retirednak]

Just a thought,I had to change a Shrader Valve (spelling) on a Tahoe after they had slammed on their brakes. The valve shuts off fuel in case of a roll over. Had fuel pressue,spark,but would start. After research on a GM forum,I came across info on the Shrader Valve. All was good after a new valve. Just thinking out loud here. Good luck