Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Starting issue

[FBFISH]

Guys-Long time member, but infrequent poster. I fit the description given in the instructions for "first time users". I have almost all the issues of TDR from 18 on (lost issue 49), and have read quite a lot about hard start problems. I have not read any with exactly my symptoms. Before I embark on any repairs in this lousy weather (have to work outside) I thought I would check the pulse of the most knowledgible folks I know. Patient:1995 Ram 4X4 extended cab with Jacobs exhaust brake, and fuel filter relocation kit (there are other mods, but none related to the problem). Symptoms: after sitting for 3-4 days, the truck will start right up, run strong for about 3-4 seconds and then die. It will restart, but only after lots of cranking. It does not matter if it is warm outside or cold, so I do not think the fuel heater is in play. Once restarted, lots of white exhaust smoke. When smoothed out, it runs fine and if used daily I would not notice the problem. One other clue, the fuel filter "minder gauge" which came as part of the fuel filter relocation kit has been a continuing problem re slight weeping. I have changed the "O' rings several times ,once recently but cannot fix that issue. It may be related. If I were to do it again, I would not install that filter relocation kit. (IMHO,the cantelevered design makes it prone to vibration issues ). BTW, I replaced the lift pump, and solenoid in May of 2006. My current culprit list : 1)the return fuel line 2) the drain back valve in the pump. I would like to narrow don the list before repair. Any thoughts?

 

[Joe G.]

If the fuel heater is leaking air it does not matter if it is "in play" or not. Throw it away. The writeup I sent you tells you what the failure is and why it's worthless.



The fuel filter relocation kit may be leaking air if it is seeping. Changing the fuel filter is pretty easy on a '95 so no need for the kit in the first place. I would advise throwing it away too.

 

[Howard Durand]

Joe, what did they do to the 95 that made changing the fuel filter easy?



I have the filter relocator and like it fine. Never had a leak anywhere . I don't have the "filter minder gauge" and if that has a leaky fitting, it needs to be fixed.

When you change the filter, you can forget and leave the old "O" ring in place but I think you would get more than a seep from that.

As Joe mentioned, the fuel pre heater may very well be a problem too.



If the truck starts right up but then dies after a few seconds, there is obviously fuel between the filter and the injection pump. I think the filter relocation device has what they call a "Prime Lock" feature that prevents loss of prime. That would explain it's starting and running for a few seconds before the air bubble gets to the injection pump. Fix the leak on the filter assembly first then, if the problem persists, remove the pre-heater as Joe suggests and try that.

If the truck has the original rubber fuel lines, you just as well change them too.

 

[Joe G.]

Joe, what did they do to the 95 that made changing the fuel filter easy?

No change. It's learning how to do it. Remove the two nuts that fasten the master cylinder to the brake booster. That allows you to lean the master cylinder toward the fender to give you more room to work. Don't use a filter wrench. I use an old large screw driver as a chizel on the upper rim of the fuel filter to drive it so it will loosen. That only takes a few good licks from a hammer on the screw driver to break the filter loose. The only hard part is getting the WIF connecter apart. I use a small screw driver to pry open the connecter. Gotta be careful to avoid stabbing your finger with the screw driver. The rest is pretty simple. Spin the old filter off. Remove it toward the front under the wiring mess. Check to make sure the old O-ring is not still in place. If it is, remove it. Put the new O-ring in place. Spin the new filer on. Connect the WIF connector. Put the master cylinder back where it belongs. The whole thing only takes a few minutes. Then the fuel filter is where it belongs instead of being in the way.

 

[TDRadmin]

Starting Issue Fixed

Posted for FBFISH:



Robert (bob?)- I finally fixed my starting issue, and wanted to share it with the other forum members, but can not figure out how to get back to the posts/thread that I initiated so I could add the final solution. Perhaps you can insert. The problem turned out to be an "O" ring on my Prime Lock fuel filter relocation kit. I had replaced the "O" rings directly behind the "Filter Minder" gauge for "weeping" several times since installation in 96. I never experienced "hard start" due to this weeping. It turns out however, (and I forgot--old age) that there are also "O"rings behind the plate to which the gauge bolts. I removed the gauge and the plate, plugged the holes. No problems since. My sincere thanks to Joe George and the others who offered advice.

Frank Santoro

1995 Ram



* * *



Robin

TDR Admin