weird fuel problem

[DThibault]

This has been going on for a while now. I haven't dared take the truck too far from the house. I went to get a new set of tires and pulled up to the office and the truck died. No start. I had some tools and loosened the fuel filter pumped the lift pump and got a good stream there, loosened the feed line at the injector pump, got fuel there and then the injectors and got a squirt and then she started. I got the tires put on and when I tried to start it, the truck spun a little while and then caught. I drove home, it ran great, pulled hard up steep hills etc. I pulled it into the shop and shut it off and restarted fine. The longer I wait after shutting it off the worse the problem is. Thought I might have an air leak. I started at the tank, found the fuel pickup broken off the cover, and a wire on the sender broken, I fixed both of those, (my fuel gauge now works), I checked my fuel line, no leaks. I worked my way all the way up to the injection pump and bled everything again and went for a ride. Everything worked great. I though I had it. I let it set for a 15 minutes and it barely started again. Its like there is a check valve not working and the fuel drains back from the injectors. Is there such a thing? I forgot to mention, I changed the lift pump and the shut off solenoid last week. I baffled, help is needed. Thanks.

 

[WJune]

I had similiar problem, replaced all rusty lines even though no sign of leaking. That fixed it for a while. It happened couple more times, and retightening hose clamps cured it. Had to get quality USA clamps to keep air out of system.

While trouble shooting problem, I hooked up a 2nd tank ( in bed ) an switch valve, so I wouldnt get stranded on the road. Good luck.

 

[DThibault]

WJune, that is just it. I don't dare go too far (10 miles) without telling someone when to expect me. Its like being in grammar school again. Cell phone reception in my area is nonexistent so I call ahead and tell people when to expect me and come looking if I don't show. The fuel tank in the bed is a good idea. I talked to a really good Dodge dealer mechanic last night and he said I when i fixed the broken bracket in my fuel tank yesterday and filled the tank last night, I may have fixed the problem. It seems there is a little area that is filled by the return line that allows us to climb a steep hill when your fuel tank is low and all the fuel is at the back. Mine was at a 45 degree angle or worse and never filled so every time I shut it off there was no fuel to get it going. This IS a strange one, I'll let you know if its OK today. I am going to venture out again to get my tires. If you never hear from me you'll know what happened.

 

[JLEONARD]

Take a blanket it is going to be cold tonight

 

[DonTX]

Sounds about exactly like the problem I had, I chased all the other things first, but found it was the injection pump, failed at only 40k miles. Would do the stalling, usually at a stop light or fuel stop, then need starting aids to restart. Always had fuel all the way to the injectors, just not enough pressure to pop the injectors. Left me sitting 5 times in 200 miles!

 

[DThibault]

I guess I got it fixed, I put on about 100 miles today, and no problems. What an unlikely malfunction. The whole problem ws the metal bracket/hanger in the fuel tank. The supporting tabs all broke off and the pickup would suck when prompted to start by bleeding etc, but the thing would only restart if you tried it within 10 or 15 minutes. Hope this helps someone else figure out a head scratching breakdown. If it does I hope its not -10 F like it is here now.