Starting problems

[fields_mj]

I've been having this problem for a few weeks now. The truck starts fine, runs for 5 sec or so, then sputters and dies like it's out of fuel. It takes 20 sec or so of cranking to get it to start again. Then it idles rough for a little while like it's trying to catch up on the fuel. After it did this the first few times, once the truck died I would take the truck out of gear, and pop the hood. I'd use the needle noze on my leatherman to push in on the shradier valve, and then use a screw driver to arc the Bendix trying to blead off any air bubbles. I thougth maybe I had an air leak and the fuel filter was draining back into the tanks. When I did this, I would get fuel out of the valve right off the bat, so I don't think the filter is empty. After having the problem for 2 or 3 days, it went away for a week, and now its back again. Sometimes, if I don't hit the throttle at all when I start the truck, it will sputter and idle really rough, and ALMOST die, but come back out of it. Also, about the time that all this started, I started smelling fuel while driving down the highway. I haven't noticed a big sudden drop in fuel milage, but I haven't kept track lately as I hope to have a new IP and injectors put in very soon (as soon as I can figure out how to get to work without it).

Any ideas on where I should start looking?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Brianedwardss]

I probably sound like a broken record to some users, but on a 7.3L a start-then-stall alot of times is the check valve on the filter head stuck open. I'll link the recent post me and another guy had the other day.

But before that, let's find your fuel leak. How's the heater plug on the top of the filter head look. Take your finger and rub it, clear down inside the plughead and see if you smell diesel on your hand. If that's not it, stand by the drivers side headlight and reach under the bottom of the IP and run your fingers around it. If there's diesel on your hands from that, most likely the weep hole on the IP is 'weeping', which means your IP is failing and getting air. Lets inspect the check valve first though..

 

[Brianedwardss]

Try this thread for starters, there's some pictures in it too..

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50382

 

[damac]

I found out quick when I got my truck home that it had a 7.3 type filter head because the 6.9 filter wouldn't fit threads wise.

But I am using a one piece filter with no bottom and my filter head is different than I see in these pictures. There are no fittings coming out the sides, no check valve. There is one elbow fitting coming out of it going to the pump and it also has a barbed fitting on the elbow that goes to the return lines.

So what the heck kind of setup do I have? There is a hard line going from the filter head elbow to the pump with olives so it looks like it is stock.

 

[Brianedwardss]

Well, by your description of the filter head, it sounds exactly like the 6.9L head in my 87, but then you say the 6.9L filter doesn't fit it. Hmm, could you post some pics? You've got me curious

 

[damac]

Here is mine and I am jealous of these purge and check valves

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Brianedwardss]

I wonder if that's for an International S-series? I've never seen one with the wholes untapped like that.

 

[fields_mj]

I changed the oil on Friday, and took a few min to look things over under the hood. I've noticed that some of the connections on my heater head are moist, and the lip on the valve cover directly under the head has a little bit of fuel laying in it. Originally I figured this was from when I pressed the valve in and cranked it over a few times. However, I would have though that the 30 min drive home would have caused that fuel to evaporate, but maybe not. I don't see any indication of any leaks up around the IP, but the view is limited and I didn't run by hand down in there as the engine was still pretty warm from the drive home.

The last two days the problem has stopped again, but I suspect it will be back when I head home this evening. It did it to me on Saturday pretty bad. I cut a load of firewood, and parked the truck out back around noon. I went back out around 6 and unloaded it. When I was done, the truck started right off, then died again. I didn't think I was going to get it to start. I cranked on it for about 30 sec total (3 times, 10 sec each), then popped the hood and "purged" the filter head again. Got back in the truck, and she started wanting to fire after about 10 sec, so I kept on it and she finally fired and ran fine. I'm to the point now that as soon as it dies, I just go a head and purge the air out of the filter head, and spraying that fuel all over the top of the engine isn't making it any easier to identify any leaks...

I haven't checked the check valve yet. That was one of the first things that came to mind, but I wasn't sure where it was at. I just now had the chance to look at the thread that you posted. I'll check it out in the next few days and see what I can see.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Agnem]

I changed the oil on Friday, and took a few min to look things over under the hood. I've noticed that some of the connections on my heater head are moist, and the lip on the valve cover directly under the head has a little bit of fuel laying in it. Originally I figured this was from when I pressed the valve in and cranked it over a few times. However, I would have though that the 30 min drive home would have caused that fuel to evaporate, but maybe not. I don't see any indication of any leaks up around the IP, but the view is limited and I didn't run by hand down in there as the engine was still pretty warm from the drive home.

The last two days the problem has stopped again, but I suspect it will be back when I head home this evening. It did it to me on Saturday pretty bad. I cut a load of firewood, and parked the truck out back around noon. I went back out around 6 and unloaded it. When I was done, the truck started right off, then died again. I didn't think I was going to get it to start. I cranked on it for about 30 sec total (3 times, 10 sec each), then popped the hood and "purged" the filter head again. Got back in the truck, and she started wanting to fire after about 10 sec, so I kept on it and she finally fired and ran fine. I'm to the point now that as soon as it dies, I just go a head and purge the air out of the filter head, and spraying that fuel all over the top of the engine isn't making it any easier to identify any leaks...

I haven't checked the check valve yet. That was one of the first things that came to mind, but I wasn't sure where it was at. I just now had the chance to look at the thread that you posted. I'll check it out in the next few days and see what I can see.

Thanks,
Mark

Sounds like a pretty classic air leak to me.

 

[fields_mj]

Sounds like a pretty classic air leak to me.

How do I trouble shoot that?

 

[fields_mj]

Well, I found it. It did it to me again last night after work, so once I got her running I spent a little more time looking around and noticed a slow drip coming off the fuel filter. Turns out the o-ring on the bottom was leaking for some reason. I changed the filter about 2 months ago, but the problem didn't start until a little under a month ago. I checked in the parking lot and the bottom cap on the filter was still nice and tight. When I got home, I pulled the filter off, removed the bottom and wiped the bottom cap, o-ring, and filter off with a clean rag, then rea-assembled the filter, filled it with a mix of Lucas Oil (finally found a reason to use it) and Power Service, and put it back on the truck. Started right up, an no drip. I'll have to wait and see if it holds or not.

Thanks,
Mark