My low fuel light was on, truck was facing downhill, (running fine just prior to...)
Now I'm in an awkward spot.
Truck is in a bad place to be sitting. Can't start it. It cranks, I hear the pump pressurizing...but won't start. Do I need to crack injector lines?
I put 8 gal of fuel in...still won't start.

 

First bump the starter with the key, lift pump should run for 25 sec when you do this, and push the Schrader valve on the fuel line going into the VP44. Make sure you have fuel coming out of there. Then loosen 3 injector lines at the head. Crank the engine over, and it should start pumping fuel out of the lossened lines. start tightening the lines back up, and it should start.

 

Can I crack the first three, or any three?

 

Yep, any 3.

I seem to remember 1,2 and 4 were the easiest to get to, 19 MM wrench.

 

i was able to push truck out of awkward spot...

i imagine this bleeding process is messy. fuel shoots all over till air is out?

please confirm....
thanks much

 

just barely crack them open, the air will come out with a little fuel .... the engine will start firing when the air is mostly out.
if you open them too much it won't start

 

Yep, what John said, I actually get it running with the 3 cracked, never was too messy, I usually work alone, so once it fires, then I come around and tighten up the 3.

Probably never lost more than a couple of teaspoons full.

Cracked it probably a quarter turn is all.

 

What a relief!
"It's alive".
Thanks all for the input!

 

Did you end up cracking the lines loose and cranking? Good to hear it's running again!

 

Yes. Exactly.
Cracked the three easiest accessible injectors, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 rotation and then jumped in seat and started to crank. Took ~3 different cycles. It eventually started...was rough at first. Cranked the injectors down again...and idled back to normal after tightened down completely.

Thanks much all

 

after cracking the lines you want to bump the ignition without trying to start the truck. this cycles the fuel/lift pump and pushes/pulls fuel to the injectors to purge the air. This may take a couple times depending how much air. when I Verify that I have fuel present on all injectors I have cracked open during the pump pushing fuel I will then tighten them.

and then I go and start the truck. If its cold, you have a weak battery or starter you may make it harder on the truck or burn up the starter trying to start truck without bumping the ignition to push the fuel.
Hope this helps next time.

 

This is excellent advice! Thanks DW.

Mike