Finding Air In The Fuel System, A Tutorial!

[john8662]

Air in the fuel system always has some kind of negative impact on the overall engine performance of a diesel engine. Unlike gassers that don't have a big issue with it, our diesel's object to little air bubbles.

I had to troubleshoot air entering the fuel system of my '82 shortbox truck recently, so I thought I'd share how I found the leak.

I didn't "invent" the tools or come up with the idea, so credit will be given where it is needed.

First off, the symptoms. Rough idle, surging (varying RPM when sitting at a light) and (more common) a hard first start in the morning!

What you'll need:

-1/4" ID clear tubing, hose clamps to replace spring type clamps used OEM.
-Spare fuel filler cap (found at the parts store, or your neighbors truck)
-Schrader Valve (ok, it's really just a valve stem core with valve)
-Drill Bits, drill
-Dikes (not the lesbo type, the hand tool!)
-Air compressor, or air tank filled with air.
-Tire pressure gauge (that will measure as little as 5 psi).

Finding out that you have air in the fuel system is the first task. To do this you'll need the 1/4" ID hose to replace the fuel return hose coming out of the Injection pump. When the engine was running I was able to see small air bubbles traveling through the line, bad sign. See the video clip below: ~2MB MPEG clip



http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/vidclip.jpg (http://members.cox.net/trialanderror/airip/airip.mpg)


Next, you'll need to make your fuel pressure cap capable of handling the Schrader Valve. That's what the drill and bits will be for as well as the dikes to notch the top of the filler cap. You're basically on your own on this one, I had to gut the pressure relief stuff out of mine cleanly. I borrowed this idea from Britannic, this is just the application of that idea.

See Pictures



http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/capbottom.jpg

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/capside.jpg

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/captop.jpg


Next, install your newly created creature into the filler nozzle of the tank that's giving you fits. In my case it was on the drivers side, the main tank I use when filling up.



http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/filler.jpg

After inserting the modified cap, you'll need the air compressor and tire gauge. I used no more than 10psi of air pressure on a tank that was half full (not half empty). The idea is to pressurize the tank and force fuel out where the leak is. Under normal operating circumstances, the fuel lines will be under a vacuum from the lift pump pulling fuel from the tank, and in this case, air. Adding pressure will force the leak to be known.

What I found is that an aftermarket electric lift pump that had been installed by the previous owner had some crappy hose clamps on it.



http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/fuelpump.jpg

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/506/culprit.jpg

After fixing that leak, normal operation had been restored.

I then carefully bled the air pressure off the fuel tank with the valve, but it would have done it anyways because my valve and cap leaks (and i suspect yours will too, unless you use a little silicone during assembly).

I was then able to remove the clear tubing off the return side of the Injection Pump, because the type of hose I was using isn't really intended for use with fuel.

Hope this helps! Any questions in relation to this topic should be posted! Comments? Something that can be added?

-edited, because I can't type or spell correctly!

[Big E]

Thanks, I was just about to replace my lift pump and soft lines; this should pin point the problem and save me some time.

-eric

[nev62]

Thanks, I was just about to replace my lift pump and soft lines; this should pin point the problem and save me some time.

-eric
DOH! DOH! DOH! I just did replace mine

[nev62]

Guys, what is the proper way to bleed a diesel fuel system??? Air was getting in from somewhere and I think after four days of searching, have now found and hopfully fixed the leaks (a dogey connection to one of the filters and found a crack in a injector return line. Problem now is that no matter how hard I try, I cannot bleed all the air from the system (unless there is another leak, grrrrrrrr).

If I'm still getting air in, apart from replacing all the fuel lines including the returns, I'm buggered if I know where it is coming from.

[FredM]

attach a vacuum type brake bleeding pump to the output side of the fuel filter, works great if mechanical lift pump, electric-don't know, sure saves beating on your starter motor. still no go-you gotta bleed the lines at the injectors.... with the starter. crack'em all loose a turn or 2 then crank until at least a few or all start weeping fuel then retighten and.................