if i have a full tank and park on a hill so that my nose points down at all... she'll start first turn. if i'm down on fuel at all or park so that my box is more downhill than my nose AT ALL (like even a chunk of snow difference) she'll be hard to start. and over the last year its gotten worse.

i started to get problems in the bush every now and then and then when she started she would puff blue smoke like crazy. i read up on it and changed the injection pump. then i changed my check valve on my injection pump. from there i got ****** off and finally just upgraded my lift pump. it got better for like a couple days and then it feels like its worse now!

i've looked for fuel leaks... nothing. and after it starts she runs great.

please help i'm freaking out! its so embarassing cranking forever trying to start my truck.

 

i've read this on the fass manual: possible? Dear Valued Customer,
A small percentage of our customers have experienced hard start issues when placing our pumps on trucks with
the VP44 injection pumps, these pumps are found on 1998.5 – 2002 Dodge Cummins pickups. The hard start issues we
incur are only found on this application. The hard start issue would occur with any fuel pump putting good flow and
pressure to the VP44 after the injection pump has experienced 5psi or less in fuel pressure. A VP44 receiving less than 5psi
in fuel pressure will more than likely be damaged, creating the hard start issue with good fuel flow and pressure. Please
read the following if you experience the hard start issue.
Hard Starts
Usually the FASS only encounters hard starts on the 1998.5 – 2002 Dodge Cummins with the VP44 injection
pump. If this occurs it is usually on a VP44 with high mileage, and/or a VP44 that has been subjected to around
5psi of fuel pressure or less. It is more likely to occur when the weather is warmer/hot.
Explanation of Diaphragm: The diaphragm in the VP44 is designed to move about .5mm with proper fuel pressure
(about 7psi min.). When the VP44 is subject to about 5psi or less the diaphragm can move up to 2mm, an increase
in movement of 4 times more than what it was designed to move. With this type of movement the diaphragm will
eventually develop stress cracks thru out the body of the diaphragm. One job of this diaphragm is to separate low
fuel pressure and high fuel pressure in the housing of the VP44, when the cracks are present this separation does
not occur. This will lead to hard starts even with a stock OEM lift pump!!

 

So I wonder if you put the LP on a switch to where it would only come on after the engine starts, if that would help?

 

That is generally more with the FASS system than a stock LP, as the FASS will put out much more pressure. If you get your ECM updated, it will run the LP for a half second when you first turn the key on, instead of 2-3 seconds like they did originally.

Does it start fine if just ran recently, and is only hard to start after sitting a few hours? I'd guess you're getting air in your system somewhere. Double check your overflow valve, make sure it opens at the correct pressure (15psi). If you can find some clear hose, and put it on the line going from the fuel filter to the IP. You can see if you're getting air in your system, and can start narrowing down as to where its coming from.