can low fuel level cause hard starting?

[JayeL]

Ive noticed my 89 IDI being a little looooong to crank when fuel levels are below 1/4 in both/either tank. Related?

Sometimes it takes 20-25 secs on the starter to get it to fire off first thing in the morning (Im in Alabama, so its not cold outside)...once running and warm, it cranks quickly later on. Ideas?

TIA

[tim94f250]

So I am understanding your statement, It only cranks for a long time when both of your tanks are under 1/4 level. How does it start when the tanks are 1/2 level? If there are no starting issues when the level is higher, then you have your answer. If it's both tanks, I'd take the bed off of the truck to repair the the suction hoses in both tanks. I just re-read your post. Are you saying that it starts fine when warm, but still under 1/4 level?

[hesutton]

I sounds like you are getting air in the system from somewhere. The long cranking is caused by the air in the system. Later on, the air is minimal or not present and it starts fine. As the truck sits for a long period, air leaks back into the system and causes the hard start problem.

The 1/4 tank thing is common when the fuel pick up on the bottom of the fuel sending unit (in the tanks) breaks off (common problem) and you suck air and not fuel. But, that would cause the truck to run poorly or not at all until you refilled the tank or fixed the problem by replacing the sending unit fuel pick up.

Give us some more information on the nature of the problem and I think we will be able to figure it out for you.

Do you have any fuel leaks under the truck? How about around the injector return caps? The return caps on the injectors is a common place for air leaks to occur. You can get a new kit for around $25-$35. But, give us some more information.

Heath

[perryg114]

I was having the same problems and I put in new return lines and the problem went away. If could be the pickups but it also could be leaking return lines on the injectors.

Perry

[JayeL]

Thanks for the great info. Its at a shop right now so I cant look at this moment, but when I get it back Ill check those items. Ive only had it a short time so I dont have a lot of data points, but I noticed that the hard starting when cold *seemed* to correspond to a low fuel level in both tanks. Before, cold or hot, it started almost instantly once you turned the key...now, just when cold, it cranks for a whiiiiile before it fires. Once running, it seems to run fine.

When I get it back I will fill the tanks and see if that affects the problem, plus check on the return-line issue, and post more about it tomorrow!

thanks again [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]