Sputter, Sputter, DEAD....

[eroessler]

Yesterday, when I went to start my truck everything started fine. It ran a little rough, as it normally does on colder mornings. The truck started, idled briefly and then died. Ever since then, it has failed to start.
I have changed the filter, checked for air in the line (with the clear tube) and the fuel did not stay in the clear hose over night. There is some fuel, but it appears to be residual. When I crank the truck, the hose fills withfuel, but as soon as I stop cranking the engine, the level receeds and the tube is no longer full... Is this normal, or an indicator that I have air in my fuel?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks,
Eugene

[john8662]

You have a fuel leak somewhere.

Check all the supply lines, then the return lines. Does the injection pump itself leak?

Hoses on fuel filter housings are usually suspect as well.

[eroessler]

I've checked all of the lines and can't find a leak, but the fuel inlet connection (on the housing) is loose. What could I do to fix this? Called a few dealerships, no one has it. Could I (or better yet should I) JB weld into place to seal it?
Thanks,
Eugene

[eroessler]

Also, the fuel remains in the hose on the IP side, but disappears on the return side...

[john8662]

Used is probably going to be the best option for the fuel filter housing, which fuel system? Model 80 (square box filter)?

Some of the fittings are pressed in, so it could be undone and glued back in with a fuel safe anerobic or something like the Permatex "Aircraft" sealant. If this is leaking at the fuel filter housing, you've probably found the stalling issue (fuels starvation due to airation).

Fuel Draining...

Suspect a leak on the return side. The injector hose end plugs are highly suspect, these are on the ends of the engine, cylinders #7 & #8.

Always smell for fuel, if you can smell it on the engine, after a good hot run, you've likely got a leak somewhere.

Sounds like the pump is ok, if the fuel stays on the pump side (of the loop of fuel line I'm suspecting).

It could also be in the tank too, if the return side of the line doesn't stay under the fuel level, it can drain back. This line is only clipped to the intake on the fuel sender, so it could have come undone and be floating above the fuel level in the tank. This would be your very last thing to suspect though...

[eroessler]

John,
Thanks for all of your help.
I followed your directions that you posted about pressurizing the system and found that I not only had a leak around a loose hose clamp, but also had a leak around the air bleed. Even after tightening it down, it continued to leak. Pretty sure that's not normal... Didn't have a lot of time to work on it this weekend, but gonna try to fire it off today. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again...

[john8662]

Glad to help.

Yeah, the pressurized fuel system is the way to find them pesky leaks.

J

[eroessler]

SHE'S ALIVE AGAIN!!!!!

I found an additional leak in one of the return lines on the pass. side and replaced all of the return lines. Then bled it at the injectors like Fred M said to in the finding air tutorial and she now has her heartbeat back.
I can't thank you guys enough....
Your expertise is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Eugene