Well, I had an interesting experience on the way to school yesterday. All the sudden my truck shut down. I think that I ran out of fuel, but the gauge still read 1/4 of a tank left. I remember reading something about this problem awhile ago, but do not remember the fix. I put more fuel in, but it would not start. I think there was something about putting fuel in the fuel filter or perhaps replacing it because it sucked up some sludge off the bottom of the tank. I don't remember. Let me knjow how to rememedy this problem.

 

I hope it is as simple as that, and you didn't suck enough air or sludge to overheat the VP44 and fry it!

Many 2nd gen owners won't go far below 1/2 a tank to avoid that possibility...

Gauges?

You should check the pressure or the VP side of the filter, that will be a first-look at the LP, then see if you've fuel at the injectors....AFTER filling up, of course (Note: we're around $3.50 / gal around here.... )

 

Sounds like fuel filter maybe....

 

If you suspect you ran out of fuel, put at least 5 gallons in the tank. More would be better. Then bump the starter (engage starter for a split second and bring key back to RUN position). This makes the ECM think its a failed start and will turn on the lift pump for ~25 seconds. Do this at least three time to fill the lines and filter canister with fuel. This will get fuel to the VP44. Then crack three injector lines, just crack them open but do not open them fully, you just want them open enough to purge out the air. If you open them too far you will have 4,000 psi diesel fuel spraying out. Crank the engine. crank for about 10-15 seconds and give the starter about 1-2 minutes time between cranking so as not to overheat and damage the starter. When you see fuel dribbling out of the cracked fittings close them. You need a minimum of 3 injectors firing to get the engine to start. When it starts it will run rough until the remaining air is purged out of the injector lines.

Hopefully your just out of fuel and the injection pump didn't kick the bucket. If you have access to a code reader see if you can pull any codes.

 

I really hate to post this and I'm sure others will berate me for it . . .

About 2,000 miles after I got my 2001 I managed to run it out of fuel. I had around 1/8 to 1/4 tank and the overhead read 70 miles to empty, was cruising just fine down the highway and then NOTHING. Just went dead - no chugging (like gas will). Well, let me tell you that the overhead wasn't correct. My gas light was on, but hadn't been on that long. This was my first diesel. Had it towed to a shop which cost me 100 bucks. They put in 10 gallons of fuel, popped the hood and opened the air filter box (I know you all know where this is going). One guy got in the truck and cranked and the other sprayed starter fluid into the intake tube. Truck kicked over in about 5 seconds, ran like a box of rocks while it blew the air out for about 15 seconds and then ran like a champ. Charged me 10 bucks to get it running again (was in college, the cheaper the better).

When I was moving from college to Kansas City I was driving said truck (10,000 miles later) I noticed I was getting close to 1/4 tank. No way was I going to run out. I pulled off the exit ramp at 1/4 tank (no gas light) and it crapped out on my at the top of the ramp at 11:30 at night on a Saturday. No way. Walked 1/2 mile to Walmart and bought a can of starter fluid and a fuel canister. Walked 1/2 mile to gas station and bought 5 gallons of fuel. Walked back to truck and put the fuel in. Instructed girlfriend to turn key and keep cranking on my signal until I say quit. She cranked and I sprayed . . . same as example number above.

I don't recommend this as a fix. If you can crack the lines and crank over it's a much safer and better way to fix the problem, but in a pinch it works. I don't recommend every trying this, but if you HAVE to, make sure you ONLY spray the fluid into the intake and not around the rest of the engine.

Thomas

EDIT - Truck ran another 25,000 miles fine before I sold it - running great at the time of sale. Never realized any negative consequences . . . but never let the fuel gauge get to 1/4 tank EVER again. I am EXTREMELY cautious on my new '06.

 

a easer way is to use the bleed valve on the injetor pump bump starter and press valve and wait for the fuel to come

 

Ether or other starting fluids are not reccomended at all and should never be used on our trucks. You run a real good chance of blowing the intake horn off the manifold and causing a lot of damage to the intake piping, head, intake manifold.