Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Strange Starting Condition

[EGaskamp]

My truck has always started fine untill about a month ago with absolutely no warning. It has no pattern to it, it just does it whenever, unless I kill it and start it back up within a few minutes. Sometimes it will start fine cold but then other times it won't. When it does it the engine will cranck for 5-7 seconds and then fire (but not start) and then it goes back to cranking and then start soon after that, all in one turn of the key. I draned the fuel filter canister and cleaned it out. That didn't fix it. When it started I had the set of DD3 Jammers in the truck, I thought that might be it. But when I switched to the JR Stage 4's, nothing changed. Fuel pressure is perfect. Right at 20psi. The truck runs great, no hesitation, no white smoke, no nothing. I plugged the Snap On Scanner into it to try to maybe get a code out of it to see what was going on and the scanner didn't say anything. The only thing I can think of is a leak somewhere in the lines. But it doesn't leak anywhere. I'm stumped. Please help! Thanks.



Eric

 

[AKAMAC]

Check the return line from the VP44 & LP. All I can think of is return line air leaks and the fact that they are non-pressurized. You can pressurize the tank with 5 psi and look for leaks. Just make sure that the regulator you use is good and fuel tank is 3/4 full. The system we use for our open loop circ. system on our return water heat system uses two regulators. A 150PSI adjusted to 30PSI and another adjusted to 5PSI. 30PSI being the rated pressure on the return system. I don't know what the fuel tank will take pressure wise is but low is good. It wont take much to define a leak if you have one but it sure sounds like you have one. Mike

 

[Todd T]

you could have an injector tube misalligned. the leak may not get past the oring and just leak into the return on the head. you may need to inspect each tube and make sure there isnt a burr or bent spot on one of them. I would think changing the injectors would have fixed a misalignment and is probably a bent/bad tube.

 

[camnicolson]

Got a similar problem with mine. Took a while but have now noticed that when it happens, the lp has not cycled and the "Wait to start" does not come on. This is an intermitent fault(don't you hate them?), but now I keep an eye on the pressure gauge and if it doesn't show pressure, I just turn the key off and try again. No prime pressure=hard start, I guess I've got an ECM problem?



Cheers,

Cam

 

[EGaskamp]

My wait to start light comes on, but my fuel press is only at 10 psi, and thats just because of the pusher pump. I'll try to kick the lift pump on and see if that helps. Thanks

Eric

 

[CAfricano]

My 2001 24v (198,000 miles) was doing the same thing with no codes. Turned out to be a cracked diaphragm in the VP 44. No codes, loses prime when hot, but not immediately. Finally went out and left me stranded. Replaced VP 44 yesterday and runs and starts like a champ. Replaced 1 lift pump prior to this, no VP 44.