I have had a problem with the engine at start up after sitting all night, will run for about 30 seconds and start to miss and put out white smoke really bad. Sometimes it would go ahead and smooth out other times it would go ahead and quit. Would take a lot of cranking to get it going again. I changed my rubber fuel lines both supply and return yesterday afternoon and reprimed till fuel was coming out of bleeder screw on fuel filter housing. Truck cranked after a couple of turns and was running good. Got in to go to work this morning and no change, same miss sputtering ang dying. Took several tries to get it to refire. What do I look for next, any other lines that could be leaking or is there something else besides a line that could be letting air into the fuel system? I haven't got a diesel shop in town so I'm kind of on my own. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Try pressurizing the lines from the filler neck. Use a little 12v compressor and block the hole with rags. You will be able to hear or see any air leaks in the system. Check carefully aliong the frame wherever the lines are held in place with clamps.

 

Many times in the struggle while replacing leaking rubber lines the steel line(s) on top of the bell housing will get cracked where the bolt down tab is welded on. You can't see the leak in this location, it's feel only.
For this reason I no longer replace just the stock length of line but rather go from the engine all the way to the tank with hose and abandon the steel lines.
You could likely have the same problem.

 

I've read where the steel lines will crack like aready stated but also look at them from there forword, by the lift pump and the fuel distributor [ main pump ] hold downs between block & main pump, there's a metal hold down there also that has been braking , then tne next place to look is the pressure relef valve on the top ft. of main pump also between the pump and block , do a search here and you'll see the selling for about 35-40 bucks.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I guess as my next moves I'm going to replace lines rest of the way to the tank and the pick up tube in the tank. I also plan on replacing the overflow valve. The one thing I have found is that the drain valve on the fuel filter is always wet if I touch the bottom of it with my finger. Its like it always has a drop of fuel in the end of the tube. However I've placed a cup under it while it has sat overnight and no fuel has leaked out into the cup. Could this still be letting air in without any fuel leaking out?

 

YES...that air will go in without fuel leaking. As the fuel cools, it contracts and sucks the air in (I know, the air pushes its way in...however?)