Wont Start

[Ole BlackBetty]

I know this has been answered before, but I still need help.
I noticed a fuel leak at the bottom of my wix spin on fuel filter and had to remove it to fix the leak. When I pulled the filter, I heard the diesel gurgling back to the tank. I had just replaced my liftpump a few days ago and truck was hard to start afterwards, but it did start.
After replacing the fuel filter, I cranked the starter and purged the air from the filter through the strader valve. It started for just a second and then died. I have spent the last couple hours cranking the motor, about 3o seconds at a time and then letting the starter rest, but it still wont start. There has got to be a better way to get air out of the lines. Do I need to be pressing the fuel pedal, when I am cranking?

 

[Hydro-idi]

You need to crack the injector lines if you are having issues with starting. Also, when replacing fuel filter, fill filter with either atf or diesel before re-installing. If you don't do this, you will burn up your starter trying to get her to fire due to the air gap. Last option would be to give it a smell of ether in the air intake....a very small amount. These idi engines do not like large amounts of ether! And 30 seconds of cranking is TOO long. Only 10 seconds at a time then let it cool off for a minute

 

[Hydro-idi]

Let me clarify.....sorry. When I say crack the injector lines, I mean getting a wrench (5/8 I believe) and loosen injector line that goes to the injector. You will need to do this on all 8 injectors. Do not take line completely off injector just crack it open. Hold the pedal down to the floor until she fires, letting starter rest in between attempts. Once running and while it is still running, get in there and tighten all 8 injector lines then let it run for a few minutes to get all air out of lines. If you are having issues starting after it has set for a while, you either still have an air leak somewhere or you are in need of fresh glowplugs. Hope this helps you sir

 

[Wyreth]

Post truck stats in your sig, it helps us help you.

Last option would be to give it a smell of ether in the air intake....

Make CERTIAN that you remove power from your Glowplug controller before even THINKING about giving it ether. However, there are people who use ether starting systems on these engines. Ether isn't really all that bad, it's glowplugs + ether that = sploady engine.

On the subject of glowplugs, are you sure yours are working? Are you getting white puffs of smoke while cranking? That's a sure sign they arn't doing their job.

Now, is it cranking fast enough?

If you want to truly bleed it, you do what Hydro said. Crack the injector lines at the injectors. Crank, better if you make a starter toggle you can use under the hood, and as each injector gets wet. Tighten the line back down.

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

no white smoke at all, as a matter of fact I dont see any smoke. How much should I loosen injector line, 1/2 turn, 1 turn? any pointers. I had read this may have to be done. Thanks you all for your help.

 

[Hydro-idi]

I would open them up one turn. Just make sure you don't take it completely off and you will be alright. Keep us posted with updates

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

Thanks Hydro, I'll give it a try in the morning. BTW why put ATF in the filter?

 

[Hydro-idi]

Well you need to make sure a new fuel filter is filled with fresh fuel, atf, motor oil, or even marvel mystery oil. Fresh atf will add tons of lubrication to the IP and injectors for these old idi's. Atf also has cleaning agents in it and can help clean dirty injectors. Heck my truck runs great on 100% used atf and have been burning it for months now.

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

Ok, so I opened up the injector tube nuts about 3/4 of a turn. After cranking a few times it started firing, and then started up. ran rough for a few minutes. I had to shut off the engine to retighten the injector nuts, as it was spraying diesel everywhere. After getting everything tightened back up and wiping it down as best I could, I took it for a drive, ran great. Then I drove 20 miles to town, to buy a new fuel/ water seperator, air filter, oil filter, and oil, it ran great and started everytime. Thank you all for the help.

It is still leaking diesel around o-ring at bottom of filter, so I will be replacing it in the morning. I can't believe Wix does not send a thicker o ring with the new filter, the one they send looks to small, which is why it is leaking.