Problem

[gandalf]

This morning I test drove the truck about 8-10 miles with no problem. I just went out to move it, and the engine dies.

It idles well, just as it should. I can take it up to 2000rpm, about the equivalent of cruise speed, and it sounds good. BUT, when I let off on the go pedal, it dies. It doesn't chug, it doesn't sputter, it doesn't complain, it just comes down off speed and dies. It will restart immediately, and show the same behavior.

Bear in mind, the engine has a brand new, rebuilt injector pump, brand new injectors, and new return lines. It ran perfectly this morning. It did the same on the rear tank, 1/2 full, and the front tank, full to the top.

Whats happened? Am I cursed? It ran so well, and now this. Any thoughts?

 

[typ4]

MAke sure there are no pinched return lines, try some additive, the cali fuel is really ******* things. Also check for air intrusion. The lift pump could be weak also.

 

[gandalf]

MAke sure there are no pinched return lines, try some additive, the cali fuel is really ******* things. Also check for air intrusion. The lift pump could be weak also.

Russ, thanks for such a quick reply. I don't see how there could be any pinched return lines. I ran perfectly this morning going to Calvin's (he wasn't there, so I came on back). That's 4-5 miles each way, mixed city streets and freeway. It ran perfectly. I don't think it's air intrusion, though I guess it's always possible. I have clear line from the IP to #2 injector, and also from the filter housing to #1 injector. I would think air would be pretty noticeable.

What sort of additive? I have a bottle of diesel kleen (or whatever it is the sell at WallyWorld) and I think I have some atf. Would the procedure be to remove the fuel filter, fill it half and half with additive and diesel?

The lift pump is a possibility. Is there any sure-fire test for that? Remember, I can take it up to 2000 rpm and hold it there with no problem. Nothing bad happens until I let off on the pedal, at which point it just dies. It dies just like shutting it off with the key. If the lift pump was weak, I wouldn't think it could hold at 2000 rpm.

One thing--- the fuel is old. I haven't driven the truck much, so the fuel has sat there. Could it just be too old?

Any other possibilities?

 

[typ4]

The symptom is a sticking metering valve, but that would have been addressed during the rebuild. I am going to be really angry if they are making mistakes .
I have used them for 20 years with zero issues.

Put in some atf, cleanliness is important here also.

 

[dyoung14]

Change the fuel filter first! trust me, sounds similar to what my truck did

 

[gandalf]

The symptom is a sticking metering valve, but that would have been addressed during the rebuild. I am going to be really angry if they are making mistakes .
I have used them for 20 years with zero issues.

Put in some atf, cleanliness is important here also.

That's the thing which was alluding me, the sticking metering valve. I knew this was a symptom, a known symptom, but I had forgotten what it indicated.

It's dark now, and I don't work well in the dark out at the curb. I'll have to wait til morning.

You must be about to leave for your trip. How soon will you be on your way? If it's imminent, have a safe journey and enjoy yourself.

I'll be back out at the truck in the morning. Until then, I can only sit here and talk about it.

BTW, do you deal in duramax injectors also? My brother-in-law thinks that he needs to replace them, again, on his 2003 or 4 (or somewhere around there). If it costs as much this time as it did last time (half way up the Alcan Highway), I think he might sell the truck and get another.

 

[typ4]

We are leaving the 7th, I will be talking to the pump shop tuesday first thing about this, as I have another to drop off. If it continues I will be looking for another shop and possibly not doing it anymore. The 20.00 I make isnt worth it.
I dont have any desire to do electronic injectors, the fuel these days is destroying tried and true diesel parameters so why have more headaches.
Let me know how it goes, but set timing first and so on. Wanderrocc has a lope and I dont know what that is, hopefully timing. Mine does that when the filter gets even the slightest bit dirty.

 

[smolkin]

Mine did this last Tuesday. Changed the filter, problem solved. Also, since this is the second time in four months I've had to change the filter, I now carry a spare behind the seat at all times. I'm pretty sure one of the gas stations I go to is the cause, they are now on my sh$tlist. So now, there are like, only three gas stations I trust around here. All the rest have let me down one time or another.

 

[gandalf]

I'll fill it with ATF in a bit and run that through, as soon as I think the neighbors won't complain too much.

As I recall, burning ATF will produce all kinds of smoke, won't it? As long as I'm expecting it, I'll try not to freak too badly. :***:

What are the chances that I need to replace the filter, pure and simple? The current filter doesn't have that many miles, as I recall. And, as I mentioned, it will hold at 2000rpm and sound good. The problem doesn't show until I let off the pedal. I think the filter is okay.

I'll report back after I've run the atf and smoked out the neighborhood.;p

 

[typ4]

ALWAYS change the filter with a new pump or injectors.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Try jacking up the idle to 850. Sounds like something went wrong on the throttle mechanism.

 

[cetanefreek]

atf shouldn't produce much if any smoke, at least it never has for me, my old work wanted me to throw out almost 25 gallons, brand new stuff, just in unmarked containers. I threw it out alright, right into my fuel tank and never had any smoke, couldn't really tell any difference.

 

[Clydesdale]

Nice.

And good to know.

 

[icanfixall]

Hello Ken... You posted that the fuel was old.... Any chance you have some critters growing in it???That wouls start to plug up the filter possibly cause ing your issues. It does sound like a sticking metering valve. With the motor running try pushing in on the lever on the drivers side of the pump. Post back what that does... BTW Calvin is finally taking some time off and is vacationing with the family...... I talked with him last nite. Sounds like he is a differant person on the phone. Might be down this way later next week... I felt really bad bothering him while he was having so much fun so I wont be calling him again till he gets back home....

 

[gandalf]

Good morning, Gary,

Thanks for the reply. You might be onto something there with your thoughts about a critter farm. It's a possibility, though I would think that would affect the engine's ability to hold at 2000 rpm. I've held it there for a full minute without skipping a beat. It does great until I let off the pedal. Then it's just like I turned the key off.

I've removed the fuel filter, and found some brownish-red sludge. The fuel filter doesn't have that many miles on it, but the fact remains the fuel is old. I'll post two pictures of the sludge.

Interesting aside: This is a WIX filter. The white paint on the outside of the filter is softening and coming off. It's like it's been hit with a good paint remover.