Rattlenbang
Registered User
Hey all, I've done a lot of reading on the subject but I think my lack of experience with this rig is showing. Ive worked on a lot of 4 cylinder diesels but not a V8. Background is that I bought a nice '86 project motorhome cheap, primarily because it had a rare diesel engine. It was a non-runner. Talking to the PO, and I have no reason to doubt him, it was working fine for them though they rarely used it, they parked it, it sat for a couple of years, he started it ran if for a bit then it died and wouldn't restart. tried adding more fuel, and his mechanic told him probably a problem with the fuel pump or related system, and he just left it. He had several projects on the go, and just sold it as-is.
I had it towed home and went through all the possibilities recommended: checked the FSS, made sure the fuel filter was full, replaced the fuel filter (had to remove that with a chisel and 5lb sledge), seemingly good pressure to the filter, fuel coming out the injection pump to the return lines, so fuel is making it's way through the system. Crank 15 secs rest 2 min, crank, rest, crank rest. New batteries and it spins really well. Maybe 20 cycles of cranking and resting. Injection lines are open but still nothing coming out.
I read about running seafoam through, so I pulled the filter (with the chisel) and added a can to the new filter and installed it. Went to crank, and fuel showed up at the injectors at the first turn. Now I know seafoam is supposed to be good but its mere presence in the filter is unlikely to immediately start fuel flowing, and I put this down to coincidence. I tightened the injectors and she started right up, ran really well. I drove it around my storage yard and then parked it, facing uphill on a moderate slope and left it idling for about an hour when it started to overheat (I suspect thermostat).
Next day of course, no start. Assuming the injector pump and fuel pump is now proven okay, I'm assuming the return fuel line system is leaking air and it's losing prime.
Try to bleed again. Crank rest, crank, rest, crank rest. I must be at 25 cycles, and no start. I appear to have fuel at maybe 5 injectors, but the rest remain dry, unlike the previous attempt when they all started squirting at same time. I've closed off the ones that seem to have fuel, but no start. There's grey smoke coming out of the exhaust. Do I keep cranking this thing or am I missing something? I haven't checked the GPs since it started last time. The FSS still has power, still click, still have lots fuel running through the IP. How many cylinders have to have fuel for it to start?
Any advice appreciated. Hate to burn out this starter.
I had it towed home and went through all the possibilities recommended: checked the FSS, made sure the fuel filter was full, replaced the fuel filter (had to remove that with a chisel and 5lb sledge), seemingly good pressure to the filter, fuel coming out the injection pump to the return lines, so fuel is making it's way through the system. Crank 15 secs rest 2 min, crank, rest, crank rest. New batteries and it spins really well. Maybe 20 cycles of cranking and resting. Injection lines are open but still nothing coming out.
I read about running seafoam through, so I pulled the filter (with the chisel) and added a can to the new filter and installed it. Went to crank, and fuel showed up at the injectors at the first turn. Now I know seafoam is supposed to be good but its mere presence in the filter is unlikely to immediately start fuel flowing, and I put this down to coincidence. I tightened the injectors and she started right up, ran really well. I drove it around my storage yard and then parked it, facing uphill on a moderate slope and left it idling for about an hour when it started to overheat (I suspect thermostat).
Next day of course, no start. Assuming the injector pump and fuel pump is now proven okay, I'm assuming the return fuel line system is leaking air and it's losing prime.
Try to bleed again. Crank rest, crank, rest, crank rest. I must be at 25 cycles, and no start. I appear to have fuel at maybe 5 injectors, but the rest remain dry, unlike the previous attempt when they all started squirting at same time. I've closed off the ones that seem to have fuel, but no start. There's grey smoke coming out of the exhaust. Do I keep cranking this thing or am I missing something? I haven't checked the GPs since it started last time. The FSS still has power, still click, still have lots fuel running through the IP. How many cylinders have to have fuel for it to start?
Any advice appreciated. Hate to burn out this starter.