Twice now, I've had my all stock 207,000 mile, '96 crank for about 30-40 seconds before it fires. I'm assuming fuel leak down. Is this a common occurrence and where should I begin my search?

 

Did you check the shutdown solenoid?

 

I haven't. I'll see what I can find out. Thanks.

 

Does it start quicker if you manually pump the lift-pump first?

 

I haven't tried that, but will. I have it "nose down" this evening, and will see how it responds in the morning.

 

Started great in the nose down position. I'll try the manual pump if it acts up today.

 

I went to local Cummins dealer today. I described the issue that my truck has, and that it starts with the nose down. He wondered if it could be the check valve on the return side, near the fuel filter. The FSS is around $500.00, and didn't have one in stock. Nice guy, he gave me the part number for the FSS, and a print out of the supply and return lines.

 

Check your private messages

 

I finally had a chance to look into the starting issue. I replaced the check valve and fuel filter, while I was at it. So far it seems to have corrected the starting issue.

 

Back in May, I started a post regarding my all stock, '96 hard starting. When I went to the local Cummins dealer, they told me the FSS was on back order, and the price was up there. I told the counter man that if the truck had plenty of fuel, and I parked with the nose pointed down, it started fine. (This was suggested by one of the members here). The parts guy mentioned it could be the check valve on the return side. I was skeptical, but ordered it. I finally installed it a week ago, and it has fixed my problem. I did buy an FSS from Genos, just incase mine does go bad. If you do replace the check valve, be sure to get the two seals that go on either side of the banjo fitting. The check is located on the drivers side beside the brake booster. The line it's on tees off the line and runs between the last pair of rocker covers on the engine.

 

Re. the FSS, if you aren't already aware - Genos sells a smaller-diameter FSS (so the mounting bracket has to match). At least, when I got one from them a few years ago, it was the smaller-diameter version. If you plan to keep it in your truck for emergency purposes, you'll need to keep the appropriate tools to replace the bracket as well (and one of the fasteners in the Genos kit is an Allen-head bolt - the hardest-to-reach one that comes in underneath the AFC from the firewall side)

 

I'll check and make sure I have what I need to install in an emergency. Thanks.