Fuel pump issue.

[Camarogenius]

Okay, If the fuel pump is working properly, Should I be able to put my fingers over the holes in the filter head, and feel some kind of pressure, or suction, or something? [edit] While cranking[/edit]

It started running super bad last night, I was thinking fuel filter, as I was running the old filter until I had run a couple tanks of fuel through it, so it could catch all the crud from sitting for so many years.

Well, now I'm not getting any fuel to the filter head, and when I put my fingers over the holes in the filter head, I'm not feeling any air movement while cranking. One strange thing however, is that after I stopped cranking, it would occasionally slobber a few drops of fuel out of the filter head.

I put $20.00 in it last night, less than a mile from the house.

Is there anything else I should look at before I throw a fuel pump at it?

 

[Camarogenius]

Also, will the injection pump suck enough fuel to keep the truck running, even if it's running like crap? I had to drive it like that for about 3 miles to get it home last night.

 

[NCheek]

The IP isn't good at pulling fuel, and doesn't really like to put into a low fuel situation since the diesel going through it is used for lubrication and cooling. Unless you have a spontaneous, smashed fuel line, I'm betting it's the fuel pump.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Take the valve core out of the Schrader valve on the filter head, stick a short hose on it into a coffee can, crank the motor, you should get about a pint of fuel in about 10 seconds, that's a good fuel pump. If you have a gauge you can stick in the hose, you should get 4 to 6 PSI.

An IP will not SUCK, they have to be fed.

 

[Camarogenius]

New fuel pump is on, Still no fuel at the filter head. I know I'm getting fuel to the pump, because while I had the old pump out, I noticed that fuel was dripping from the end of the rubber hose. (Enough to be gravity draining from the tank) I also noticed that the fuel hose was very soft, and mushy.

Once it stops raining, I'll swap out the hose. If thats not it, I'm clueless.

 

[NCheek]

How about the pollack valve? Have you checked it's functionality? I'm not sure, but if'n it got stuck between the two tanks, it seems like it would inhibit flow.

 

[Gordon Walker]

kniobs that are cool !

The IP isn't good at pulling fuel, and doesn't really like to put into a low fuel situation since the diesel going through it is used for lubrication and cooling. Unless you have a spontaneous, smashed fuel line, I'm betting it's the fuel pump.

Could you put me in touch w/ " The Knob guy. Roosa , i could use one on my 87 6.9 manual
Thanks, in advance gordon w

 

[NCheek]

Yeah, check my pics and my avatar. He makes a good product.

Hijack over...

 

[Gordon Walker]

Nick, who are you and where are your pics, of the " good product " I'm talking about a gearstick knob , , , , ,

Thanks, GW

 

[Camarogenius]

You guys won't believe what I found in the water separator! I'll take pics of the goo tomorrow. It was reddish-brown in color, was the consistency of tar, and smelled like bunker oil, or shellack. The water separator was full of it, as was the filter. The filter weighed about 5 pounds after it was drained.

 

[gonecrazyi]

My fuel pump died in december and wouldnt pump any fuel at all. The only thing that kept the truck running was the vacuum at the injection pump. I was driving and
everything seemed fine and then it lost all power, started white smoking and missing and couldnt get above 1200 rpms. cleaned out the fuel lines, put on a new filter, and replaced the fuel pump and all was well.

With a little help, these injection pumps will suck a vacuum and pull fuel, but its not enough to usually get the motor much above idle.

This is just what happened to me, others may have experienced things like this a little differently.