Apologies for yet another - it doesn’t start - post.
My old 1985 6.9 project truck has had increasing starting problems since the tanks were replaced (not convinced these are the issue…), but in the last several weeks (6 months from takes install) has become unstartable without help from starting fluid - a very bad thing. When I climbed into the engine bay to inspect the fuel input / return lines today, I discovered holes in the intake manifold. I was trying to get resistance readings from the glow plugs, and found them (zero in tested cases), photos are included of the holes - the #1 cyl is 1/8th and the #3 and #5 cyls are 1/4 and 3/8 respectively. No others were obvious, I did not work through the remainder thoroughly.
The obvious to me is - these engines do not care where the “air” comes from. Fuel, certainly. Compression - absolutely. The timing of all three is required. But nothing compared to the complexity of gasoline engines. What is perplexing is - once started, it runs just fine. Power, work - even restarting - work just fine. It does not stall, miss or anything else I can hear/feel.
I suspect this is a two factor problem. The engine started easily until recently, but declined - particularly when other work was done around the engine (air conditioning covered to R-134) (yes, I suspect leaks). Yet the smallest amount of ether starts the engine, making you suspect compression related to starter speed - but the batteries are good, two years old - and are refreshed with a battery tender - they are fully charged (I checked). I checked pressure at the fuel filter valve cold both after 120 seconds of starting (with pauses) and the next day at the first 1 sec of starting. Both have high volume fuel from the shrader valve on the fuel filter. So, draw, lift pump, etc - fuel intake is not the problem. There is a marine F/W separator, which does not have water, and has plenty of fuel with pressure.
Aside from the holes in the intake, I’m at a loss for the lack of starting. Once it runs - it runs (is this just the natural durability of the engine???). Could not find related links to starting problems in the archives - but I am happy to chase whatever the community suggests. Thank you all in advance…
Ladies, Gentlemen too - I’m at a loss on what to do next, and humbly ask for any thoughts and advice.
My old 1985 6.9 project truck has had increasing starting problems since the tanks were replaced (not convinced these are the issue…), but in the last several weeks (6 months from takes install) has become unstartable without help from starting fluid - a very bad thing. When I climbed into the engine bay to inspect the fuel input / return lines today, I discovered holes in the intake manifold. I was trying to get resistance readings from the glow plugs, and found them (zero in tested cases), photos are included of the holes - the #1 cyl is 1/8th and the #3 and #5 cyls are 1/4 and 3/8 respectively. No others were obvious, I did not work through the remainder thoroughly.
The obvious to me is - these engines do not care where the “air” comes from. Fuel, certainly. Compression - absolutely. The timing of all three is required. But nothing compared to the complexity of gasoline engines. What is perplexing is - once started, it runs just fine. Power, work - even restarting - work just fine. It does not stall, miss or anything else I can hear/feel.
I suspect this is a two factor problem. The engine started easily until recently, but declined - particularly when other work was done around the engine (air conditioning covered to R-134) (yes, I suspect leaks). Yet the smallest amount of ether starts the engine, making you suspect compression related to starter speed - but the batteries are good, two years old - and are refreshed with a battery tender - they are fully charged (I checked). I checked pressure at the fuel filter valve cold both after 120 seconds of starting (with pauses) and the next day at the first 1 sec of starting. Both have high volume fuel from the shrader valve on the fuel filter. So, draw, lift pump, etc - fuel intake is not the problem. There is a marine F/W separator, which does not have water, and has plenty of fuel with pressure.
Aside from the holes in the intake, I’m at a loss for the lack of starting. Once it runs - it runs (is this just the natural durability of the engine???). Could not find related links to starting problems in the archives - but I am happy to chase whatever the community suggests. Thank you all in advance…
Ladies, Gentlemen too - I’m at a loss on what to do next, and humbly ask for any thoughts and advice.