89 F-350 Won't Start... Fuel?

[NuuMee]

Hey everyone! I bought an 89 U-Haul with 33K on a rebuild. I've had it for about 2 months and have put about 300 miles on it. I noticed one day as I went to start it that it had a hard time catching after it sat in front of my storage unit, tilted to the right, for about 6-7 hours. I brought it home where it sat for about 10 days. It was slow to start and after a few seconds it died and won't start. I can spray squirts of starting fluid into the air cleaner and it fires. I replaced the fuel filter and still no go. I am versed in gasoline but have never worked on a deisel. Some guidance geared toward a layman would be greatly appreciated. I'm assuming the pump but want to do the tests necessary to get an accurate diagnosis and I need to do the work myself

Steve

[fro]

Originally Posted by NuuMee

Hey everyone! I bought an 89 U-Haul with 33K on a rebuild. I've had it for about 2 months and have put about 300 miles on it. I noticed one day as I went to start it that it had a hard time catching after it sat in front of my storage unit, tilted to the right, for about 6-7 hours. I brought it home where it sat for about 10 days. It was slow to start and after a few seconds it died and won't start. I can spray squirts of starting fluid into the air cleaner and it fires. I replaced the fuel filter and still no go. I am versed in gasoline but have never worked on a deisel. Some guidance geared toward a layman would be greatly appreciated. I'm assuming the pump but want to do the tests necessary to get an accurate diagnosis and I need to do the work myself

Steve

Just a heads up,starting fluid in a diesel engine will cause extreme engine damage

[Snotzalot]

In a diesel using glow plugs!

[Snotzalot]

Did you bleed the fuel filter? Are the rubber caps and return lines leaking diesel from around the injectors? It's most likely NOT the injection pump, but it may be the "lift pump" aka as a fuel pump on a gasser and located below the alternator on the side of the block.

[NuuMee]

Hey Fro! Thanks for the heads up! I was told to do 1 second squirts just to see if the problem was elec or fuel related. And I was given that instruction at one of your competitors forums by one of the senior members who's been in deisels his whole life. He did say not to do very much and that it technically was not good in larger quantities. I'm sure there are better ways to accomplish the task and I certainly will keep your correction in mind.
Now... how do I go about determining the culprit here and doing the repairs? I'm thinking it is the lift pump. Where do I start? Thanks everyone!

Steve

[Snotzalot]

I asked you two questions, you can start by answering them.

[trampsdieseltruck]

do a vacuum test on the fuel pump

[MECHANIK19]

Diesel dont have vacumn

[NuuMee]

Snot, How do I bleed the fuel filter? I cranked the motor hoping to pressurize the system and then pushed on the valve core at the filter... no pressure. The fuel pump looks brand new. No leaks at the injectors and the ignitors look brand new as well.

Tramp, how and where do I check the fuel pump for pressure?

Thanks guys! I DO appreciate it!

Steve

[Snotzalot]

Press the schrader valve on the top of the fuel filter while the engine is being cranked over. Did you fill the fuel filter before installing? Don't even try to fill an empty fuel filter by cranking the motor over.

[Snotzalot]

Originally Posted by MECHANIK19

Diesel dont have vacumn

The lift pump does on the inlet side, that's what was being referred to.

He needs to properly bleed the fuel filter before he does anything else.

[NuuMee]

Ok, I primed the fuel filter and had a friend crank the engine while I held the shrader open and... nothing. I also disconnected the fuel line from the pump to the filter and held my thumb over the line while cranking... zero. Next?

Thanks, by the way

Steve

[Snotzalot]

You need a lift pump. $40 USD.

[NuuMee]

Thank you Snot

Steve