I am having a problem with my 1996 2500 diesel.
it is hard to start after sitting for a while( 24 hours or so)
once started it starts fine even after 8 or ten hours.
any suggestions.

 

lift pump????

 

cracked rubber fuel line off the tank causing loss of prime. my 96 did this

 

I would have to go with the loss of prime also, check it out for a leak.

 

Check the return line for cracks. The cracks will be small enough to not leak but draw in air and loose prime. It happened to me.

 

lift pump or overflow valve (where return line attaches to injector pump).

 

Yep, mine did it last weekend. Rubber section of the return line dry rotted and cracked. No problem finding the leak, once I got it over the pit. Leaking like a sieve goin down the road, quite the mess it was. No problems starting or runnin, except the next morning(after several hours to lose prime)

 

Check valve in the lift pump. Only way to fix, replace the lift pump. Mine went out last year , acting just like you described.

 

I had problems with hard starts when it was getting cold. it was the pre-heat relay. replaced it and it starts up great now

 

What's involved with changing out that rubber hose? Do you have to drop the tank?

On my 95 V-10 4x4, I could sit on the ground, see & get my hands on the connections on the top of the tank.

 

The hose in question is at the back of the engine and runs down the bell housing from the rear of the injector pump to a steel line where it jumps to the frame. I usually do them from the top. It gives you more room if you unbolt the master cylinder and flop it out of the way. Replace the hose with Fuel injection hose or hydraulic hose instead of low-pressure fuel hose.

 

torquefan has it. I had to replace mine. It's a rubber type hose that runs from the injection pump along side the block, behind the fuel shutoff solenoid, fuel filter and manual fuel pump, down to the steel fuel line attached to the side of the bellhousing.

I couldn't get to mine from underneath. You need to be a 10' snake, but it can be done from the top. Press your cheek against the valve cover, reach down with both hands through the openings and work by feel. Don't get frustrared or you'll end up useing a little bit of red grease.