Boneheaded No Start Issue
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4wd Low
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Boneheaded No Start Issue
I've got the 2006 6.0L diesel... 95k miles... recently changed fuel filters (5k miles ago). Got the water in fuel light so I thought I'd drain the water separator.
ALL I did was drain the water separator... what I didn't do was cycle the engine/fuel pump three times. I got distracted by work and just started the truck and drove off. A couple of miles down the road and the truck sputters and dies. I tried cranking it with no success. I cycled the system several times and cranked again with no success. I know there are tons of resources on here to search through, but I only have a few minutes to be online. If the truck needs to head to the shop I'd like to send it in today. Anyhow, any help would be appreciated.
Thanks! ~ David
ALL I did was drain the water separator... what I didn't do was cycle the engine/fuel pump three times. I got distracted by work and just started the truck and drove off. A couple of miles down the road and the truck sputters and dies. I tried cranking it with no success. I cycled the system several times and cranked again with no success. I know there are tons of resources on here to search through, but I only have a few minutes to be online. If the truck needs to head to the shop I'd like to send it in today. Anyhow, any help would be appreciated.
Thanks! ~ David
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Check the upper fuel bowl for fuel. I've done the same as you and ended up finding I did something wrong with the filter install.... removed cap right there in the middle of the road and reinstalled. Turned key on/off 3 times and away I went.
UPDATE: OOPS!!! Didn't see the filter change 5000 miles ago....sure ain't that!!
UPDATE: OOPS!!! Didn't see the filter change 5000 miles ago....sure ain't that!!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
From: Jackson, TN
I have had a few trucks that were hard to start after replacing the fuel filters or otherwise opening up the fuel system. What I have had to do is remove the secondary filter up top and cycle the key until fuel filled the housing. The lower the fuel level in the tank, the harder it is to bleed the system.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
If ALL you did was drain water separator, make double sure you put it back in.
It might have fallen out if you forgot to tighten it?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City MO
I've heard of people cycling the key to prime the system after fuel filter changes or HFCM drains, I've never done it tho. I change the filters, turn the key on for about 10 seconds, fire it up, and have never had an issue. I also drain my fuel separator every oil change. Fuel filters every other oil change (10k). I've done fuel filters over a hundred times on my personal trucks too. 110 actually.
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4wd Low
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 13
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Update... checked the water drain this morning and looks like the rubber seal is bad. Not sure what all that could cause, but loss of pressure in the system (?) and loss of fuel come to mind. Anyhow, gonna get that fixed, fill her with diesel, and try it again!
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