no start :(

[kaukasion]

85 f 350 with 6.9 idi had been running rough, really rough chuggy lopey idle
so i changed the fuel filter
on fireup it ran great for about a minute then as i was getting it to drive around the block to test it it died
never got it to start and idle since
i have solid fuel at the shrader valve no air, ive bleen off the injector lines while cranking and they are squirting good
its trying to start but as soon as i stop cranking while at wot it dies
i get some white smoke on long cranks 20 secs or so
but it just will not run

its the craziest thing
the glowplugs have been disabled for years
always used a quick shot of ether on startup if cold motor and its been fine

ive had air in fuel system problems but none that were like this
like it firing and trying to run seeming decent and as soon as i stop cranking stumbles and dies

any ideas?
thanks it an emergency ive posted at another forum too cause i dont want to walk to work tomorrow
i just need some fresh ideas i think

 

[Silver Burner]

It's possible the motor is done if you've been shooting ether for years. That's very very bad. Is it possible also though that you have some kind of air blockage? A rag or something stuck in the intake?

 

[justinray]

Possibly a bad batch of fuel too. People often overlook that. Just because the injectors squirt doesn't mean they're squirting diesel.

 

[kaukasion]

It's possible the motor is done if you've been shooting ether for years. That's very very bad. Is it possible also though that you have some kind of air blockage? A rag or something stuck in the intake?

i went out and pulled the air cleaner to check i dont see anything

 

[kaukasion]

Possibly a bad batch of fuel too. People often overlook that. Just because the injectors squirt doesn't mean they're squirting diesel.

i thought maybe that too i drained the water seperator and i was on about a quarter tank and seen that sometimes the pickup tubes can fall apart so i put more fuel in it its now on full take with seemingly should be good fuel with deisel additive in it still nothing letting it charge the batts back up then making one more attempt tonight then i gotta hit the hay 3 am comes early

 

[Can30Diesel]

Unless I misread, you mentioned that backing off the nuts on the injectors got you fuel. Maybe the IP is having a problem and while fuel is getting to the injectors, there isn't enough pressure to make them fire properly?

Just a thought.

 

[kaukasion]

Unless I misread, you mentioned that backing off the nuts on the injectors got you fuel. Maybe the IP is having a problem and while fuel is getting to the injectors, there isn't enough pressure to make them fire properly?

Just a thought.

the more i look at it and try the more i think this is the case it just seems so odd that right after the change and for about a whole minute it ran great then it just finally decided to give up ugh but its seeming like this is whats happened

im getting fuel squirting but it dont really have a working example to compare it to
in our last session it got the front fender kicked up pretty good after it vapor locked from the ether attempt

 

[Blind Driver2]

How lbs of fuel pressure is at the schrader valve?

 

[kaukasion]

How lbs of fuel pressure is at the schrader valve?

i have no way to know but if i press it in while cranking it will shoot out all the way to the brake booster

 

[89greendiesel]

to the OP, i had a similar sounding problem when i replaced both my fuel tanks and fuel filter. Long story short, my tank switching valve did its last switch and wasn't allowing fuel past it.

the telltale for me was when i poured some diesel fuel and diesel 911 in the fuel filter to sort of prime it. i cranked it over and it started right up. went to go put my tools away and she died when i was about halfway done.

the fuel filter was only 3/4 full and it was completely full when i put it on.

I finally checked my fuses and found that the fuel tank selector valve was blown. put in another and blew that one. changed the valve (to the tune of 300 bucks) and presto, clickity clacked like a champ

I say fuel tank selector valve or lift pump. Maybe disconnect the fuel supply line inbetween the lift pump and fuel filter housing at the filter housing and crank to see if you have fuel after it dies on ya?

 

[Wyreth]

try soaking a rag in gasoline, then holding that on the intake while cranking. That will usually fire just about anything.

That said, check your compression. If it's not high enough to fire, then it's time for a rebuild.