Suddenly didn't want to start.

[DownHomeDiesel]

I have never had my truck give any issues starting.  If anything it starts easier/quicker than any diesel I've ever driven.  After it sat from Sat eve to Monday afternoon in an uphill position it did not want to start.  I pushed in on the clutch and let it roll to a more level surface and this didn't seem to help.  Finally after just letting the starter crank for a bit it came to life and drove home without any problems.  Little puffs of smoke were coming out while cranking.  Any ideas for me to look in to?

(Still a stock truck)

 

Some possible things of note:  the check engine light is not on but it has come on a few times in the last few months but then went back off again, and I have noticed rarely when I accelerate a brief moment of hesitation.

 

Edited December 6, 2021 by DownHomeDiesel
Fix typos

[Andyba20]

I’ll go ahead and ask a few things the other guys will want to know to help narrow it down. What year is your truck? Can you pull any codes? Are the batteries fresh? Stock lift pump? How much fuel in the tank when it happened? And has it happened again since? 

[DownHomeDiesel]

I havent tried to start it again yet.  Lift pump is at roughly 60k miles and sings like a song when I bump the starter.

 

98.5 24v

 

Tank was a little over a quarter tank.  

 

I am looking for my code reader.  I guess I misplaced it.  Will post when I find it.

[Andyba20]

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge? Assuming you’re pressure is good try to start it and see if it happens again. Sounds like a fuel leak maybe. I haven’t experienced that with mine yet, the smarter guys will chime in I’m sure. I did get air in the system running under 1/4 tank one time but I had to crack my injectors to start it back up. 

[Mopar1973Man]

I'll jump in with you. I'm in the same problem right now with my own truck as well. After I did my head gasket the last time I notices that crossover tubes and the injectors went back in rather easy without much force. I'm betting my issues is just the o-rings. I just finished the o-rings on the crossover tubes. I just got off the phone with @dieselautopowerand ordered 2 sets of injector body o-rings.

 

Now beyond that for things to look for is...

• Return banjo at the rear of the head. The sealing washers might be bad and leaking.
• Return tee at the rear of the engine with bad o-rings.
• Bad quick connect seals in supply or return at the rear of the engine. 
• AirDog pump with quick connect leaking air in. You might try a bit of grease around the stem to see if it temporarily seals. 

[DownHomeDiesel]

My fuel gauge is not yet hooked up.  

 

I did an alternator and cable job on it a few weeks ago.  

 

P1693, P0237, P0382 are codes presently stored.

 

I just tried to start it again and it started fine.

Edited December 6, 2021 by DownHomeDiesel

[Mopar1973Man]

2 minutes ago, DownHomeDiesel said:

P1693, P0237, P0382 are codes presently stored.

 

 

Here you go. Some info...

 

 

[DownHomeDiesel]

I got called out to work right after postong and have been hooked up since.  I'll give an upsate asap.  I've started it twice after sitting a few days and it started wothout a hitch.

[Tractorman]

On 12/6/2021 at 1:55 PM, DownHomeDiesel said:

After it sat from Sat eve to Monday afternoon in an uphill position it did not want to start. 

 

On 12/6/2021 at 2:25 PM, DownHomeDiesel said:

Tank was a little over a quarter tank.  

 

That is the classic signature of air leaking into the fuel system while parked.  Park the truck with nose facing uphill again with a 1/4 tank of fuel for a day or two.  I will bet the problem will be back.  

 

With the truck parked on level ground or nose downhill with a relatively full fuel tank, the symptoms go away..., until the leak worsens.

 

- John

[JAG1]

11 hours ago, DownHomeDiesel said:

I got called out to work right after postong and have been hooked up since.  I'll give an upsate asap.  I've started it twice after sitting a few days and it started wothout a hitch.

Need to get after the problem before it leaves you stranded. Worse kind of glitch is one you don't expect.

 

Have you got the lift pump running off the battery with a relay triggered by the factory lift pump plug? Important

Do you have a filter before the lift pump ? Important!

Feul pressure gauge? Important!

Two stroke in the fuel is a good thing too!

[DownHomeDiesel]

So I went out this morning and started my truck.  I immediately noticed lots of diesel dripping off the starter and the vent tube.  The common denominator seems to be both of those mornings it was below freezing.  I guess with it was parked uphill last weekend when it got cold it allowed the lines to empty and thus not starting.  Once the engine was warm there was no longer a visible leak.  Now to fix it.

I 

4 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Do you have a filter before the lift pump ? Important!

Feul pressure gauge? Important!

Two stroke in the fuel is a good thing too!

I treat my fuel and these other auggestions are at the top of my priority list.

4 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Need to get after the problem before it leaves you stranded.

I agree.  I parked it and drove the 3rd gen I've been working up to sell. 

[DownHomeDiesel]

It seems like it is the pump itself that is leaking though I can't find a visible problem.  Going to try and wire it up later and see if I can get it to leak outside of the truck.

 

I was considering a walbro pump conversion install since I have one lying around.  Does anyone have a good, current suggestion for a regulator to pair with it.

[Mopar1973Man]

Find your fuel leak would be my first action. Most likely between the return line tee in the back the square cut o-rings tend to leak with age. The return line in the back of the head the sealing washers can degrade and leak. Also could be 4, 5, or 6 injector cross over tube o-ring is weeping. 

 

Personally, I would just do a AirDog 150 and be done. On a long box you can with a bit of metal work mount it behind the transfer case and be fully guarded from debris strike or snow. I just got done doing a AirDog 150 on a short bed and doing a extra custom install.

 

 

As you can see the factory bracket is missing and the frame was drilled and tapped for the pump bracket to bolt directly to the frame. High enough to to be struck by much and the frame horn for the cab guards the filters partly. 

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by Mopar1973Man