My 1995 truck normally starts instantly. A couple of days ago when I tried starting it cranked over fast but didn't start. After 4 or 5 times of cranking for about ten seconds each it finally fired and ran fine. I shut it off and restarted it several times and it worked every time. When I park it for several hours the problem occurs all over again. The outside air temp is generally in the 70s & 80s so it's not a cold start problem. I drained a little fuel from the filter and found no water. I just replaced the fuel filter a couple of weeks ago and it has been fine for several hundred mi. I pushed the prime button on the lift pump a couple of times but it didn't seem to make a difference. Any suggestions on what to check next?

 

Just checked the fuel shutoff solenoid. Working OK!

 

Fuel solenoid can still be intermittent.

Next time it won't start, leave the key in the on position, raise the hood, and physically make sure the fuel lever has been pulled up.

They tend to get gunked up and work sporadically.

When you pushed the prime button, after 1 or 2 strokes, did you hear a hissing sound like when you force air thru your front teeth with your tongue?

 

lots of white / rich fuel smelling smoke when it does finally start?
air leak in fuel system.

My 1995 truck normally starts instantly. A couple of days ago when I tried starting it cranked over fast but didn't start. After 4 or 5 times of cranking for about ten seconds each it finally [[PURGED THE AIR FROM THE SYSTEM]] fired and ran fine. I shut it off and restarted it several times and it worked every time [[BECAUSE NOT MUCH OF AN AIR LEAK]]. When I park it for several hours the problem occurs all over again[[BECAUSE ENOUGH AIR GOT IN]]. The outside air temp is generally in the 70s & 80s so it's not a cold start problem. I drained a little fuel from the filter and found no water [[BUT COULD HAVE LET SOME AIR IN]]. I just replaced the fuel filter a couple of weeks ago and it has been fine for several hundred mi. [[BUT MAYBE A GASKET OR O-RING GOT MESSED UP]] I pushed the prime button on the lift pump a couple of times but it didn't seem to make a difference[[YOU HAVE TO CRACK THE BLEED BOLT AND PUMP 50+ TIMES]]. Any suggestions on what to check next? [[DOUBLE CHECK YOU FUEL FILTER SEAL/O-RING/GASKET]]

 

Thanks for the help guys! I didn't hear any hissing sound when I pushed the prime plunger (I do have hearing issues so could have missed it). Will check for air leaks. I'll let you know what I find!

 

I concur with macattack_ga and his 2nd suggestion of air leak in fuel system. I had what sounds like a similar problem shortly after buying my 97 RAM in 03. I'd park it over night at home in the driveway that left it sitting inclined toward the front. The symptom was it was hard to start the next morning but when it finally did it ran OK until the same scenario the next day. A search on DTR turned up the right cause and solution - I had a slight air leak into the rubber fuel lines between the hard lines coming from the tank and the hard lines going to the lift pump and pressure relief valve. I replaced both feed and return lines with marine grade rubber lines and that fixed it - no more hard starts. If your situation sounds similar that's the suggestion I have based on my experience. Hope you get it resolved soon and good luck.

 

My fuel filter was not very tight, I know that I had hand tightened it pretty well when I installed it so I guess it had loosened some from vibration or something. I took it off, checked the seals filled it with diesel and reinstalled it as tight as I could by hand. Started the truck, drove it around for a few minutes and parked it.I was confident that I had solved the problem. Tried to start it 4 or 5hrs later, no luck! I guess tomorrow I will follow Rockyhud's advise and check all of the flex hoses. Other than just a visual inspection is there a way to tell if they are leaking? If there is air leaking in will there be fuel leaking out? Anything else I should check?

 

Found it! apparently the water drain valve on the bottom of the fuel filter was the culprit. Starting well again!

 

Glad you found the problem without too much of an issue and sorry I hadn't replied back sooner to your question about seeing fuel leak out of the rubber lines. I've been very busy replacing our hot water system and the wall and flooring that was damaged by the leaking tank. Almost done now.

To answer that question, no, you won't see fuel leaking as the area(s) where air will leak into the lines is too small for liquid to pass through but will allow air to pass through, creating air pockets in the line(s).

 

Thanks Rockyhud! Unfortunately I spoke too soon it still isn't right. I have found that when I push the prime button I get a leak around the button itself. Is the prime pump repairable or do I need to buy a new one?

 

Not repairable, but I don't think that is your issue. I seem to remember one of our star 12 valve guys, member Infidel saying that the prime circuit was totally different than the run circuit, and it wasn't a big deal if it leaked.

I dunno for sure, but he never steered me wrong.

If you need one, Larry B's truck parts has a really good package that makes it easy to change.

 

Went ahead and bought one at NAPA (it's the only parts store within 50mi). Will install today. Gonna be bummed if it doesn't fix my problem!