WELL. got the truck back from the dealer yesterday, changed the pressure relief valve on the rail and they called it good.

I left it out last night, it dropped to 15 degrees out and went to start it this morning.....no go. they had mentioned that my fuel filter was "resisting flow" and that I should change it, but that cant be all of it right?!!

is it possible that it is the fuel heater in the fuel filter housing? I seriously doubt its the injectors now, because the truck runs great once started, no sputtering, no missing at any idle speed. is there a way to test the fuel heater?

should I check anything else?

 

Does it fire at all when it's cold? It was 12F this morning for me and without waiting at all, it started right up on the first try. That's how it's been for years. I haven't plugged it in since I bought the truck. Do you know your lift pump fuel pressure?

Andy

 

does not fire at all. I dont have a fuel pressure gauge, so how do I check that?

 

Its odd that the dealer said that you need a fuel filter [ and they did not replace it , and then you did not either ] its cheap enough & normal maintance , normally I recommend testing before parts but when the testing costs more than the part or is more of a hassle , then try the part , even if relatively new , maybe a fuel issue .
A set of gauges from one of the adds here .

 

umm...ok? I am on the way to pick up a fuel filter, right now. seeing as I got the truck yesterday, and parked it for the night due to work, I guess it slipped my mind to pick one up so I could change it today. but thanks for that.

 

I suggest putting a bucket under the drain tube, open the drain valve, and have someone turn the key forward to see if anything comes out. It should be able to fill a bucket pretty quickly. If it barely trickles your filter needs to be changed or your lift pump is dead.

Andy

 

ok, tried that, seems that the lift pump is working just dandy. turned the key forward and the fuel starting shooting out. got the filter changed, tomorrow is supposed to be somewhat similar to today, so I will leave it unplugged again and see what happens.

is the fuel transfer pump and the lift pump the same thing? thanks for your help man.

 

Yes, the lift pump is the fuel pump, there's only one. But the drain valve on the fuel filter canister is on the dirty side of the filter element inside, so the flow test you did doesn't tell you much [about the condition of the filter element].

 

i guess I dont understand that. if it is being pressurized, doesnt that mean that the lift pump is working?

 

Ian is your grid heater coming on?, piggy tail light. check fuse for grid heaters. i have started my truck in -32*C without plugging in. Cycle grids twice then try starting. How are batteries? Is it turning over easy or having a hard time?

 

as far as I know the grid heaters are working fine. wait to start works, and when it is started the lights dim and voltage drops when they turn on.
I have two brand new batteries with 850 CCA. the truck turns over fine, it just wont fire. So I would assume it is a fuel issue.

 

Testing is required to figure most anything out , the way you describe the systems is the heater grid may be working with the fall in volts , but that is an indicator not a direct test , same with the fuel coming out the drain , some fuel can come out at 2 lbs of pressure which is not enough , on that truck , you'll want to find the spec , but to start good at may need 5-7 lbs , so some fuel may not be enough .
Was there ever any codes ?
When looking into a problem like yours I would collect some fuel in a clean container to see if there is a issue with the fuel , many times I've seen a lot of simple issues made complicated by not looking at the basics 1st .
As the batteries go , its still testing that tells , I've seen bad new parts , then there could be connection issues , starter ect , to start , min RPM is required to start diesels , so that means a load test , of the batteries at the same time it needs to reach that specific RPM .
What does the dealer say , or did you not have the hard start before you took it in , or why did you take to them , if you took it to them for a cold starting issue & you paid them it should be fixed , in my shop I try to test after the repair for the original issue under those conditions , like keeping your truck parked out side in the cold .
I seem to have time on my hands today .

 

Yes, that means the lift pump is working (at little to no pressure anyway), but the filter element could still be plugged solid. What you really need is a fuel pressure gauge between the filter and injection pump (CP3). Sorry for the confusion, Ian.

 

well as of 6:12am, and at 14 degrees. after installing a new fuel filter and praying to the diesel gods....the truck started, unplugged, and after sitting in the cold for 10 hours.


I think she is gonna be ok.


thanks for everyones help.


now I can attend to the strange cracking noise coming from my left front tire when in 4 wheel drive and turning left or right. anyone (man, these trucks can be a pain in the a** huh?)?

 

Its nice when its a simple cheap fix , that 4 wheel noise maybe a dry u-joint on the axial .