Wont start now without ether. Time for Injectors?

[JohnsonG]

So in reading the many posts on the board, I guess I've been really lucky with my Dodge and the common Rail Injectors.



I picked the truck up (2003 in profile)at 76k miles, and had to have 2 injectors replaced in 2005...



I now have 297K miles on it and have done nothing but normal maintenance, clutch job and an FCA and pigtail at190K



I did the muffler eliminator kit and use a Smarty JR on Torque

I change the Fuel Filter at 5k and the oil a 10k (Amsoil)

I don't have a FASS or 2 micron filter kit. . ( But after reading, I’m getting one)



So I run 120 miles a day, steady speed at 55. With the Nitto 37's I usually run 1400 rpms. .

so I usually get 23-24 mpg (pin and paper)



I run injector cleaner religiously in it , every tank full, every time and I always do a full fill at 1/4 tank. .

I run the 4150 Amsoil micro fiber air filter, gets a vacuum and blow out at every 5 k



Back in June, I started noticing a decline in the MPG... and in retrospect, it was taking longer to start.

So last week, on my commute in, I stopped for fuel and when I tried to restart it would spin over like always, but wouldn't kick off... so shot a little either in the filter and it started. Seamed to run fine, no codes... that afternoon after work it started after cranking for a long time (5-10 seconds), next morning same deal long crank time, but did kick off…. so Wednesday I had to drive it, as the wifey had to have the other car, and when I went to crank it, it spun over but wouldn't kick off without the ether... same when I went to leave work...



Once its going it still runs strong, doesn't balk, sputter or miss, no smoke unless you stomp it, lots of power and no codes. .



So I uninstalled the Smarty JR, just in case, no change. Checked for codes, none, and cleared it out anyway… changed out the Fuel Filter, no change. Had a spare FCA, so swapped it out just because. No change. No fuel leaks. Starter spins it over like it always has, not dragging or running slow. .



So now my fuel economy is down to around 19 @55, this, the hard staring and the 297K miles leads me to believe that it's time for new injectors...



Or am I missing something...

 

[MarkEkberg]

Your lacking fuel somewhere. Either via the transfer pump, or it is leaking down when you shut it off?

My 03 is new to me, but on my stroke when this happened it was the transfer pump. If not changed quickly it began to run terrible and eventually only idle.

 

[jhenderson]

Doesn't sound like a fuel pump to me. Sounds like you have an injector failing.

 

[cerberusiam]

Verifying fuel presure at the CP-3 on startup is a good idea, but, it sound slike you have 1 or more injectors bypassing too much fuel. With the fuel economy drop and hard start it is time to doa little diagnostics.

 

[p-Bar]

Ya sounds like injector(s), need to see whats happening on the high pressure side while cranking. You can try plugging in the block heater and get the parts hot to expand which may get it fire. You've done good on those injectors before replacement you may want to think about some better fuel filtration

 

[Rimcrew]

Pull the fuel line before the CP3. If the LP is working a LOT of fuel will come out quickly while cranking. There is a spec, but I just look for a good flow, like a garden hose.

If that is ok then the easiest way to check for an injector (or several) bypassing too much fuel is to watch rail pressure when cranking. If it is not at least 3k psi, then you should move to the injectors. Cap off one at a time until the truck starts. I found #6 was causing my problems via this method. It's not fool proof, as you may not get the truck to start doing this if you have more than one bad injector, but it is worth a try as it is cheap and easy to do.

After doing all that you need to decide if it is worth only replacing one injector to fix the immediate problem. With that kind of mileage on the injectors, I would replace them all to avoid future issues, but you can certainly replace one and hope for the best.

 

[Got HO?]

I had similar symptoms on my '03, not as severe, but extended cranking times and initial rough running. Replaced the injectors with new Bosch units at 275k, and all is well again.

 

[JohnsonG]

Replaced injectors. Now all is well. Enginered Diesel 50 HP units



what a difference...

 

[p-Bar]

Give us an MPG update

 

[JohnsonG]

So I have rolled about 4K since the injector swap and I'm crusing 55mph @ 1400 rpm or so. .



getting pen and paper 24. 2 with the smarty on economy. .

 

[p-Bar]

Nice results