Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Starting Trouble

[dalexander]

Ever since my lift pump and VP44 were changed by the dealer my truck will not start immediately when the fuel tank gets low. It happens when parked in the driveway which has a slight incline. If I park nose down it does not have a problem. Is there something I can check without returning it to the dealer? It's been this way for about a year I have just been keeping it full but I am thinking it is time to fix the issue.



Dennis

 

[LowFly]

I would check for any air leaks..... pull the rubber tube on your fuel feed to your IP and put a clear plastic tube in its place... ... have some one start the truck and look for air..... also shut off the truck and again look for bubbles... ... . this might be your issue... .



You can try to start the truck without the LP hooked up for a bit to see if it cracks off quicker... ... VP like low fuel pressure to start... .....



Good luck... .

 

[EGaskamp]

I have the EXACT same problem except it doesn't matter if the tank is full or not. If it's parked nose down it will pop right off. I have the vucan kit so leaks are out of the question pretty much except for the tank part of it. I think it might be the VP. The truck runs perfect once it's started though.



Eric

 

[Mundgyver]

I use to have this problem. What is happening is that you are losing the prime to the VP from the filter. That is why sometimes when you park down hill there is no problem. The air that collects and gets trapped in the filter sits on the opposite side of the output in the nose pointed downhill parking attitude. Made no sense to me when I had the problem.



Took me several weeks to figure it out. This was a couple of years ago.



When I ditched my stock LP and filter set up and converted to the FASS, the problem went away.



There is one other posibility also. The VP as a pressure relief tank return port next to the input line. It is a spring and ball set to 14 psi. If the ball is hanging open when you shut down, it will allow air to come into the VP from the tank return side. You might have a sticky relief valve.



Food for thought.

 

[randrade]

I've been battleing this same problem. I think I've solved it by placing a one way check valve after the pump before the filter housing. I'll report back in a couple of days if it's working or not.

thanks

Rafael

 

[EGaskamp]

Is it easy to change the relief valve?

 

[LowFly]

Stupid simple..... 19MM wrench and its out... . new o-ring gaskets, and reinstall..... it the big Bolt head with the Round bearing in the middle on the VP44.