Running rough, hard start

[Ole BlackBetty]

The last rip my truck, 1994 7.3T made was June of 2020, drovec195 miles each way to lake for a week of camping, healing a 12 foot overhead camper with no trouble on trip. I have started truck in drive a few times in the past 2 years, other than an occasional dead battery she always started. In preparation to get some new tires I took the camper off about 3 months ago and had no trouble driving out from under it. Parked it on other side of yard and it set there until now. I went out to start it Monday this week and wouldn't start, just crank and crank. Charged batteries , pulled fuel filter, only half full, leveled off fuel filter with atf and put it back on, cycled glow plugs and cranked nothing. Shot of starting fluid and she finally started, ran rough as he'll died after about 15 minutes. Came home today, put diesel additive in full tank, pulled filter filled with atf, cranked, nothing, add starting fluid started, ran rough, left running for about an hour, still rough, died, restarted once, died again, will not start. I gave up for the evening.
Long post I know, but what are your thoughts?

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

BTW diesel in front tank is 2 years old

 

[IDIBRONCO]

2 year old fuel won't cause an issue where you have no fuel in the filter. It will still burn just fine as long as there's no algae growing in it. It sounds like you're actually getting air intrusion (not to be confused with fuel drain back). It sounds like you're drawing air into the fuel system while the engine's running. The simplest first step is to check the rubber fuel line that goes between the steel fuel line on the frame and the lift pump. If it's wet, that could be your issue. A rubber fuel line can crack slightly at about any time, especially if it's old rubber.

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

I do have wetness around return lines on first 2 injectors on passenger side front. But would that explain my filter only being half full when I take it off? I have removed filter three times after cranking and each time it is only about half full of fuel

 

[IDIBRONCO]

My guess would be no unless you let it sit overnight. If the rubber line that I mentioned earlier, is bad, you may not be getting enough fuel from your lift pump. That may cause that to happen since it's not pumping much fuel.

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

I did buy new injectors from Russ , in about 2013 or so and replaced glow plugs and controller at same time. Truck is not a Dailey driver , so it don't have alot miles on injectors.

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

I have also replaced lift pump since I owned it, been a few years though 7 or 8

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

That line you talking about on my lift pump is only about 6 inches long. Dirty and oily but I don't think it is leaking

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

I wonder if I'm getting enuf flow from my tank? I have duel tanks with an electric switch.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

The best way to test this is to disconnect the rubber fuel line from the lift pump. Then run another, longer line into a five gallon can of diesel. It won't run for long this way. If you want to run the engine for longer, then you have to disconnect the return line at the back of the engine and run another line from there back into the can. If your engine runs fine, then you know that the problem is from your tank(s) to the lift pump. Then you'll have to go from there.

 

[Old Goat]

That line you talking about on my lift pump is only about 6 inches long. Dirty and oily but I don't think it is leaking

7 or 8 years old should still be good.
Have you tried to tighten the clamps?
Look at the ends of the hoses where
the clamps are and see if there is cracks,
if so just replace it, not all that difficult.

That little hose is on the suction side of
the pump from the tank. If it is oily, it
could be leaking when the engine is off,
and sucking air when the engine is running
or trying to start.

You have 2 return caps leaking, you can buy
a bag of 50 from McMaster-Carr size 111,
Viton for $10.

Use a can of Carb Cleaner and blow off any dirt
from the hard Lines and Injectors.
Remove the 2 line clamps, then remove the
hard lines from the injectors and remove all 4
caps as an assembly.
remove the old rubber rings with a small pick,
grease up the new rings, place the first one on
and roll the 2nd over the first one. Then grease
up the inside of the caps, and snap them on, and
replace the hard Lines and Clamps.

(removing the Clamps give you some wiggle room
to move the Hard Line w/o bending them)

As IDIBRONCO said, use a rubber hose from the
lift pump and can, then you already have 1/2 of
your new hose on the Lift pump to be replaced.

Goat

​

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

7 or 8 years old should still be good.
Have you tried to tighten the clamps?
Look at the ends of the hoses where
the clamps are and see if there is cracks,
if so just replace it, not all that difficult.

That little hose is on the suction side of
the pump from the tank. If it is oily, it
could be leaking when the engine is off,
and sucking air when the engine is running
or trying to start.

You have 2 return caps leaking, you can buy
a bag of 50 from McMaster-Carr size 111,
Viton for $10.

Use a can of Carb Cleaner and blow off any dirt
from the hard Lines and Injectors.
Remove the 2 line clamps, then remove the
hard lines from the injectors and remove all 4
caps as an assembly.
remove the old rubber rings with a small pick,
grease up the new rings, place the first one on
and roll the 2nd over the first one. Then grease
up the inside of the caps, and snap them on, and
replace the hard Lines and Clamps.

(removing the Clamps give you some wiggle room
to move the Hard Line w/o bending them)

As IDIBRONCO said, use a rubber hose from the
lift pump and can, then you already have 1/2 of
your new hose on the Lift pump to be replaced.

Goat

​

I went to McMaster Carr website and typed in the search for 111 Viton orings and about 12 different ones came up. Which one do I need?

 

[Old Goat]

here is the Viton size 111 you need, come in bags of 50.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Black

50

9464K24

9.58

I usually buy a couple bags when I order.


Goat

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

Thank you old goat, I got them ordered should be here Tuesday

 

[Ole BlackBetty]

Where can I order the copper injector washers and what size are they? I'm going to pull my injectors while I'm in there to have a look at them