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Early '04 Fuel Filter Change, Now Won't Start

2183 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  03TANKER, 
S
Hey guys. Just did a fuel filter change on my early '04 Cummins. Followed the standard steps (drain the canister/bowl, pull filter, lube new o-ring, re-install, prime the pump 3-4 times, crank) and this time she turned over, ran for about 3 seconds, and then stalled out. Now it won't start at all.

The pump was relocated into the tank before I purchased the truck, so I confirmed that its coming on, then I checked the filter bowl for fuel and its completely full.

What am I missing? Please help! I thought this was going to be a quick standard maintenance deal! All shops are closed around here now and its unfortunately a work truck :banghead: Any help/suggestions are appreciated.
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98whitelightnin
How long did you try to start it after it dies? Crank on it a bit before giving up
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S
I cranked it on 3 separate occasions now for about 15 seconds...should I go longer? I have no idea what the starter can handle.

I should also mention there is only one code being thrown (p0234). Truck was also bogging down around 2100-2200 RPM in 2nd/3rd gears yesterday under heavy towing...figured it was just the fuel filter, but perhaps this is a sign of more trouble? The bogging down wasn't noticeable without my trailer/load.
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D
wd-40

Use a little WD-40 like you would starting fluid right into the air intake. That should get it to start popping over. WD-40 is the best starting fluid to use if you end up with what it sounds like as maybe vapor locked. I don't drain my fuel out the canister when I change my fuel filter. DONT use starting fluid if you have glow plugs though. KABOOM!
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Rpadar
deakin said:
Use a little WD-40 like you would starting fluid right into the air intake. That should get it to start popping over. WD-40 is the best starting fluid to use if you end up with what it sounds like as maybe vapor locked. I don't drain my fuel out the canister when I change my fuel filter. DONT use starting fluid if you have glow plugs though. KABOOM!
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Don't do that. Or anything in that post.
Not draining the filter bowl is asking for trouble. The system will self prime. If it's not. There's another issue.
Have you tried just bumping the starter over and let the pump run for 25 seconds then start it?


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2012Ram6.7
Rpadar said:
Don't do that. Or anything in that post.
Not draining the filter bowl is asking for trouble. The system will self prime. If it's not. There's another issue.
Have you tried just bumping the starter over and let the pump run for 25 seconds then start it?


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Agreed! You drain tbe fuel bowl to remove contaminants from the bowl before changing the filter. You may have a weak lift pump but the first I would do is make sure you are getting fuel to the filter bowl. If not crack the fuel line ooen and cycle the lift pump a few times until you do. Then once you do tighten down the line a d try to start again.

On a side note.. it took a few attempts to get my fuel system primed and running on my 2012 the last time I changed the fuel filter. I think the forth crank I let it crank a good 45 seconds before it eventually fired up.

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Rpadar
I would just loosen the banjo on thecp3 or bottom of filter canister till fuel pushes out. That will eliminate the lift pump as subject.
As stated above sometimes it just takes a little more to get primed. Hard to believe something else failed at te same time you changed te filter. Mine always will fire up, the die. Then I bump the starter and listen to lift pump run for at least 20 seconds. The fire her up.


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D
I understand draining it to get the contaminants out. I dont drain mine and have never had the problems getting it started after a filter change and if you do drain yours fill it back up with clean diesel then put the cap on. Why let any more air in to the system than you than you have to. As far as using WD-40 as starting fluid, there is nothing wrong with that especially if you are stranded out in the middle of nowhere -20 degrees suns going down and you have about run your battery dead just cranking on it.
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salazar24
If yur lift pump is ok than it Sounds like you have air in the system it should self prime keep cranking in 10-15 sec. Periods n rest yyr starter for atleast a minute. I'm a Heavy Equip mechanic deal with this kind of scenario all the time people run the machines out of fuel than can't get em to start again when they fill em up. I usually fill up the filter canister or the filter with diesel depending on the set up you have to minimize air in the system. Good luck n keep us updated.
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R
Agreed with salazer24 guys run our equipment dry of fuel fill it up and burn up starters cranking on it endlessly. Worst case scenario your lift pump took a dive but thats doubtful if you've cracked the banjo bolt loose and she still wont prime I would take clean diesel and fill the filter housing. Gotta remember the truck will not fire the injections unless it sees a certain pressure not sure how much though)
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Rpadar
The OP hasn't come back. Me thinks he got it


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B
Rpadar said:
The OP hasn't come back. Me thinks he got it


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Or, he's walking. :hehe:
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Rpadar
Perhaps haha


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DieselRig
I'm still in shock about the wd-40 post....
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Jim 5150
^^^^^^^^^ why deakin says its fine to use and let contaminated fuel into the line:confused013::hehe::hehe::hehe::hehe:
deakin said:
I understand draining it to get the contaminants out. I dont drain mine and have never had the problems getting it started after a filter change and if you do drain yours fill it back up with clean diesel then put the cap on. Why let any more air in to the system than you than you have to. As far as using WD-40 as starting fluid, there is nothing wrong with that especially if you are stranded out in the middle of nowhere -20 degrees suns going down and you have about run your battery dead just cranking on it.
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Just ribbin you.
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03TANKER
Apparently deakin doesn't know that these motors don't run off of a spark... he said glow plugs, how cute..... haha
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D
I'm a Rocky Mountain Roughneck/Toolpusher I guess I've picked up some bad habits along the way to get out of a bind quickly. Downtime is lost $ and an chewin on the morning call. in the oil patch if you cant getter you cant stay.
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salazar24
Deakin I understand you brotha in my case out on the field customer dosent care about what's wrong with the equipment they just want it running again I've primed with ATF, Hyd.oil etc that's after they run it out of fuel or simply make stupid mistakes like filling the diesel tank with gasoline. A Cummins is a workhorse.
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03TANKER
How do I get into the classifieds?.... :hehe:
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