dart440_72

Here is the problem:

about every ohter time I start the truck it will crank and crank without starting. Eventually it will start. The problem has gotten worse since it has started getting colder. When I pump the button by the fuel filter, it sounds like I can hear air coming form the front of the engine. Is this normal? Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks

96 2500 Ram

SmokinDodge12V

Have you checked the fuel shut off syleniod it may be binding up and not rising up like it should.

Lary Ellis (Top)

Very common problem on the second gen trucks. The return fuel line coming off the injection pump is very close to the block, due to the heat it rots prematurely.

It allows air into the system and the fuel drains back to the tank. You can usually see the fuel along the frame, around the transmission and drive shaft area.

It is a real bear to reach and replace, so don't use common rubber fuel line again. Get a high quality, steel braided fuel line, so you don't have to do it again in 2 years

Good luck!

SmokinDodge12V

Does it run roughly when it does start if air was leaking into the fuel it would probably run pretty rough until all the air was pushed out of the fuel lines.

HammerMTB

Smokin Dodge is right. If it runs rough when you get it started, you're getting air in the fuel.
If it starts and runs smooth when it does start, the shut off solenoid is the problem.
The solenoid and relay are a system, and sometimes the expensive solenoid is blamed when the relay is the real problem. There is also a feed wire on the left battery positive post that supplys power to the relay. If it is corroded, the whole thing won't work right. I fixed mine by moving the feed wire to the power bus by the fuse box. Then the battery acid doesn't eat the wire and terminal.

dart440_72

I don't know if it runs rough when I first start it. This is my first diesel truck. It seems to run fine when it starts up. My concern was the sound of air coming from the front of the engine when I prime the fuel filter.

Dr. Evil

If its a 96 and has never had the fuel lines changed - its time. It needs to be done anyway. You can get good line from:

www.fostertruck.com

$15 gets you the proper hose and includes clamps.

shrtmntdiesel

I had the same problem about 1 year ago, just as soon as it started getting cold also. I changed the lift pump out and this fixed my problem. See the lift pump has a check valve in it to keep the fuel from flowing back to the tank. Try parking the truck with the frontend downhill overnight, if cranks up ok in the morning I would change out the pump. This is how I figured my problem out. How many RPM's are you turning at idle, when I first got my truck(used) it was only turning around 550 rpm's. I had to tap the go peddle a little to get it to crank up. Hope this helps let us know what you find out.


Tim

bulthisl

The AIR you hear is prob. the fuel going through the overflow valve.
If so it's supposed to do this.
Does it sound more like a hum if you keep pumping?
And it should take a few pumps to make it do this.
If it is this the sound will come from the inside of the pump next to the head. toward the front of the motor.

If it does this with 1~2 pumps it sounds like the overflow valve is bad and that will lower the pressure and make it harder to start.
It can also lower your mpg.
Has this happened over a period of time or all at once.
This valve usually will be slow going bad.
IF SO IT'S EASY TO CHANGE.

: Eddie : 8)

pappyman

Besides all the above items also be sure your grid heater is working.....watch your volt gauge it should drop when the grid heater is heating

boughtadodge

Does anyone know what controls the cycleing of the grid heater my truck last year when it was cold I could tell by the volt meter that after the truck started it would cycle for quite a while now it does not seem to cycle after it has started. It starts fine just does not have the grid heaters after start up. Anyone have any Ideas?

HammerMTB

The grid heater is controlled by the air temp sensor in the intake manifold. It is toward the back of the manifold.
I should say more accurately that the grid heater is controlled by a module that uses the air temp sensor as its reference.