Truck didn't start!

[Crupper]

My 96 didn't start the first flip like it has always, so I ground on it a few times in short bursts, added a little fuel with the go peddle, still no fire. Thought it must be the fuel shuttoff valve so wiggled its wires and thumped on it with my knuckle, got in and it started. A'm I going to have more trouble with this, or is it a once in a lifetime problem? Or maybe wiggling wires and knuckle thumping didn't do a thing, what do you guys think?

Crupper

 

[Snow man]

Did you manually pull up the fuel shutoff soenoid? Try this,Ive heard that week batterys/bad/loose terminals will also cause the soleinod to not fully pull the lever too. If the soleiniod is in the run position,id suspect the return line is leaking,but it should fire after some cranking if the return line is leaking. There might be a chance you ran out of fuel,or are real low,and its parked on a hill?When my sender went out on my 96,i ran it out of fuel,it said 1/2 tank still,LOL. I was looking for the problem for a few minutes before i banged on the tank and it was hollow sounding.

 

[Crupper]

Must be return line

You must be right about the fuel return line leak. It failed to start again this AM. Once it is started it runs all day with no problems. I checked the shutoff valve and it was open, cranked awhile then it started. How big a job will this turnout to be? I remember you guys talking about it in passed posts but "That won't happen to me". Now it seems everything needs to be replaced, one at a time! This time I'll pay attention!!! Thanks, Crupper

 

[Blakers]

Snow man,



Why would a return line have anything to do with starting? I can see where it would leak if damaged once the engine is running, but why would it effect starting?



A leak in the fuel pickup line could certainly allow air to enter the line, causing the pump to suck air and allowing fuel to bleed back to the tank when the engine is off.



Blake

 

[Snow man]

Blake,once the return line leaks,it lets air in into the fuel loop,this causes the feed side fuel to run back down the line towards the tank/lift pump,then the truck = takes a few seconds to start,since it needs to pull the fuel again before it starts. This is a very common problem on 94-98 12v's my 96 did it,at 73K miles. Usually they leak a tiny bit at first,and the starting problem gradually gets worse with time,and eventually it may leak fuel out onto the bell housing/starter motor. The line rots right out,its just 5/16 fuel hose.

 

[Crupper]

The truck started like it should this morning, the only change is I fueled up yesterday but it only took 23 gal. Do you think it will be intermittent till it gets worse? How big a job is it to replace the line? Do you replace it back to the tank? Thanks for all your help Snow Man.

Crupper

 

[LarryB]

The air can seep in through a crack/hole that can be so small fuel cannot escape to leave a wet spot. It may look just fine. With a higher level of fuel in the tank there is less suction on the lines to draw air in. Sometimes this can cause the problem to be more pronounced with low fuel levels. Also parking the truck facing uphill may make it worse, facing downhill may make it better. Either way it's going to need to be fixed. It's a well documented problem.



Other well known 12valve problems.

** Killer dowel pin.

** Starter sticking on due to worn solenoid contacts.

** 5th gear nut comming loose.



There may be a few more I can't remember right off but all are fixable and well worth dealing with to get the 12valve power, economy and reliability.



Well... ... at least I think so.