Fuel problem?

[79jasper]

Sunday night I was heading to a buddies house (about 30 miles) and my truck started doing this thing where it seems like the filter is clogging/not getting enough fuel. It's loses power and makes a noise. (I guess it's the injectors clacking from no fuel+cylinders "dry firing")
So I pulled over and tried draining the filter. Not sure if anything at all came out. (It was dark and I didn't have a light) But it then quit doing it.

So Tuesday comes around I'm heading to my gf's parents house (maybe 7 miles) and it does it again. About ¾ ways there. So same thing, I pull off and try to drain the filter, but this time I have a bottle I drain it into. At first hardly anything came out so I shut it off, then got it to drain. All kinds of crap in it. Looks like rust/dirt.
So I head on and make it about a ¼ mile and it's doing it again, but this time actually died. So I finally got it started after a lot of cranking and switching to the front tank. Put $40 in fuel in at qt of the way, and it did fine the rest of the way.
When I got there I changed the filter and let it run for a bit.
Later when I went to leave, it died again at the entrance of the neighborhood. Cranked awhile again and got it started.

Well yesterday (Friday) I'm heading back to her house, and it does it again at about the same spot, just not as bad. So I slowed down and kept going, and it quit doing it.
On the way home, same thing but at the ¾ mark this way. Slow down into town and it quits doing it.
Drained it again but it's fairly clean. Just a few specs in it.

A few months ago I relaced the fuel pump with an airtex from autozone, which I believe is made by carter. When I replaced it, it had same symptoms leading up to failure, but it was all in the same day, and I believe was caused by a non venting fuel cap.
When I had it apart, I cleaned all the screens and the bowl itself.
There don't seem to be any leaks in the valley. The drain hose leaks when I open it. So I need to dry it up, then run it to see if it comes back while running, or only when I open the drain valve.

Does this sound like another failing pump? Or what?
I hate to change it again just to put another failure prone mechanical pump on, but as long as it gets me a few weeks to collect everything for an e-fuel setup, I would do it.

This is my 94 PSD.
I've been pumping fuel from my brothers truck being as his engine is blown, but his showerheads are broke off, so I don't see how I could've picked up trash from his tanks.

This all started running on the rear tank, which is plastic on my truck. My front is metal though.

 

[79jasper]

Also I changed the oil Wednesday with TSC traveller 15w-40 all fleet diesel oil and mobil 1 filter.

Changed the rubber fuel lines between the pump and filter a few weeks after changing the pump.
Also no longer have the restriction sensor since they're so leak prone. I used a pipe plug and some sealant.

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can find a fuel pressure gauge, or rent one of the testers.

 

[94f450sd]

Get a fuel pressure gauge on it for sure. Does happenhot or cold? No CEL ?


I've had a lot of issues with the airtex pumps the last few years,especially the electrics.

 

[79jasper]

I guess usually warm. Since it's after I've been driving awhile. Like at least say 4 miles at highway speeds. (60+) Wont do it driving slow like through town. (35)

Just did it again. If I just pull off and let it idle a few minutes, it's fine for awhile more.

 

[rthomas]

Is the screen in the FPR clean? if not the system can't purge air and you might get the symptoms you are. My other idea goes back to PSD basics have you swapped the CPS?

 

[79jasper]

Nope, no cps. It's gotta be a fuel issue. Tach works exactly like it should. And it's not an instant die.
Almost like running an idi out of fuel, as you can feel it coming. It also smokes a bit sometimes right after the long cranks to get it started. Blue smoke, but smelled like fuel.

So earlier I swapped out the pump since it was under warranty, therefore cheapest place to start.
Well it still does it.
But I believe I have some new info to go with it. The drive home was a pretty bumpy road, and it acted up almost constantly. Until I got to level smooth ground again.

So now I'm actually thinking my tank pickups are clogged.
I had to leave it at my gf's parents house because it was so bad. But in the morning I'm gonna go pull the front sender to see what she looks like.

Also I found a somewhat loose pushlock connection. The front underside of the engine where it runs up to the pump. I could wiggle it pretty good. I picked up some of those inserts.

 

[94f450sd]

How's your injector and ipr orings?

 

[79jasper]

The ipr o-rings may seep just a bit.
No idea on the injector o-rings, but there's no oil in the filter. Just rust and dirt.

 

[79jasper]

Well I sure feel stupid as hell.....

Rear tank.

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FRONT TANK.

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[79jasper]

Temp fix done.

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Problem persists, but now I can travel further before she quits. I made it about a mile and a half before it started losing power. I limped almost all the way back, she died at the neighborhood entrance. Did the whole crank and rest thing to get it started, and it ran fine the rest of the way.

The tank selector valve seems good. I could blow air through on both settings.
The outlet connection had a torn o-ring though.
I blew air through all tank hoses at the TSV.
I was using an air compressor though. Lowest setting on it is 40psi.

I tried blowing through the lines forward of the TSV, one took a second then blasted fuel out the other hose, one hose wouldn't take any air. Not sure which was feed or return.

Weird thing is, it'll sit there idling all day. But once I get a mile down the road, it acts up.

Anyone think this could possibly be the CPS?

Or have any other ideas?

 

[94f450sd]

Put more fuel in the tank. See if your fix isn't low enough in the tank.that broken up rubber thing usually doesn't cause an issue till you're down to 1/4 tank.

What size hose and Tfitting did you use?needs atleast 3/8 .i fix them with 3/8 steel line and a compression fitting.keep it about 1/4-1/2"off the bottom of the tank

 

[79jasper]

It's ⅜ hose and fitting.
Back one may be touching the bottom.
Front one is pretty dang close also.

After blowing out the lines and everything I didn't drive it right after. I let it idle for about an hour. Then later I when I went to drive home it did fine. I doubt I broke 55mph on the drive, but I did stomp on it for the last ¼ mile leaving from a stop light, til I hit 55(speed limits 45 ) and it still did fine.

I'm hoping I got it this time.
I know more fuel would help, but I was able to drive around on e on both tanks for long as I can remember.
All the pieces that were left in the tanks came out pretty easy. I left the tanks mounted and just pulled the senders. I used a coat hanger to drag the pieces closer to the middle, then stock my arm in there to pull them out.
With the rear I just had to reach in and fish around, since there wasn't enough room for me to gander in there with me frashfright.

Oh also the hose wasn't really the right grade. I think it was like 30r7 or something. Can check later.
But I plan to get new showerheads. Somebody linked some new ones just a few days ago....

 

[94f450sd]

The ipr o-rings may seep just a bit.
No idea on the injector o-rings, but there's no oil in the filter. Just rust and dirt.

Thats not adefinitive test for the injector rings. Will only tell you if thesecond oring is leaking.need to pull valve covers to see if the upper rings are leaking under the hold down clamps.

 

[79jasper]

Hows that done?
Engine running?
And what do I look for?

 

[94f450sd]

Pull VCs,fire it up.with aflashlight look around the base of the injectors for oil "bubbling up".dont confuse oil coming from the squirters above the hold down clamps.