thanks to all... and an issue

[jwalterus]

I apologize now if it rambles a bit.....

first off, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone for all of the help you give on here and the information that is available on this site

I've been able to keep my truck (and my ass) mobile and working for the last couple months simply out of what I have learned from this site, I ran into some financial troubles of late, but with the combination of the simplicity and durability of the engine and the fact that I've been able to remember the important stuff about how it all works (and a bit of luck) I've been able to keep the truck running and keep myself from being stranded and keep working



now for my issue:

tonight, truck decided to miss and sputter a few seconds after it was started every time, happened about 10 seconds after it started and lasted about 10 seconds each time before going away

didn't matter if it was a hot, cold, or warm engine, acted the exact same way, and after it went away each time, it ran perfect, if I left it idling, it ran perfect, shut it off and fire it right back up, or let it sit for an hour, it did the same thing

good fuel level in both tanks, good fuel flow to the IP

I could understand if the IP head was getting heat soaked, but it does it cold

acts like it's starving for fuel for a minute, but it doesn't seem to be up to the IP

no water in the separator, fuel filter staying full to the brim, new filter

replaced the filter wednesday

after the first couple start problems, I added an extra quart of ATF to each tank, and a good dose of diesel kleen to each tank, put another 3 gallons in each to mix it up well, put on a new filter full of DK, and ran it for the rest of the night and it kept doing it

I know I'm about due for injectors, and I plan to do the IP this summer as well (both are original and coming up on 75k miles with the motor), but at this time it's my DD, my work truck, and the only vehicle my family has to use, so other than a day off to change out parts, I can't afford to have it down

any ideas on what it could be???

 

[towcat]

now for my issue:

tonight, truck decided to miss and sputter a few seconds after it was started every time, happened about 10 seconds after it started and lasted about 10 seconds each time before going away

didn't matter if it was a hot, cold, or warm engine, acted the exact same way, and after it went away each time, it ran perfect, if I left it idling, it ran perfect, shut it off and fire it right back up, or let it sit for an hour, it did the same thing..............



......................any ideas on what it could be???

+
air intrusion. somewhere, you're getting air in the fuel system.

 

[Goofyexponent]

Check the lines from the fuel filter back to the lift pump and then follow them back towards the tanks. There may be a repair there that was done and you don't know about it.

I went through this a while back and found 7 splices in a 4 foot section of supply line...as you could imagine, it got fixed the right way!

 

[gandalf]

Got to agree with Towcat. It sounds like you're getting air into the system as soon as you shut it off, as soon as the engine quits sucking on the fuel line. The older water separators were notorious for air intrusion. They were mounted on the driver's side fender near the firewall, with a pullring to let water out. The drain frequently stuck open, allowing air in. Take a good look at that thing. Many people have converted to the 7.3 type water separator for that reason.

 

[icanfixall]

I concure with all the above postings plus one. Look at the lift pump. If its wet looking you may have a pump thats leaking out. That will allow air to get in. The way the air gets in so fast should be easy to find. Any wet looking fuel line joints will be the leaks. You might also try tightening up the fuel line from the filter to the injection pump. There is a square looking gasket in them called olives. They break down over time and allow air and fuel leaks. I really don't think you need an injection pump or a return line kit just yet... Keep us posted on what you find or ask any question. Plenty of us here working with you...Its the nature of this site and all the great members...

 

[jwalterus]

didn't get the opportunity to check the truck before I went to work tonight since it was raining and cold

ran perfectly fine, I'm wondering if maybe the FSS was sticking a little and the extra lubrication fixed it?

 

[RLDSL]

didn't get the opportunity to check the truck before I went to work tonight since it was raining and cold

ran perfectly fine, I'm wondering if maybe the FSS was sticking a little and the extra lubrication fixed it?

fss wouldn't likely suck air, it would just draw from the wrong tank, but if all that cleaner made a difference, then chances are it was a sticking injector ( sticking open and slobbering fuel in , it'll drain down when you shut off so it'll fire right up on the excess fuel in the cylinder and what was in que in the other injectors before the air hits, then sputter or die shortly after , then have to crank a bit before restart, straight air intrusion usually results in a no start from the get go and having to crank a bit before firing at all )