I made this video some time ago but just got it posted.

When using the fuel pump to empty the tank, it was surprising how much air was introduced into the fuel line AFTER the pump started running

The fuel level was between 1/2 and 1/4. I planned to do the mod earlier in the week, but then didn't have enough fuel to get around and had to put some fuel in her, LOL.

I hope this works


Thought this might help someone

 

Feedback on the video?

Hey, if you watch the video, let me know if it plays okay, annotations show up (not on mobile it says?), etc.

My first Youtube video upload

Oh- and if you have a favorite, low cost video editing suite, I'm looking for suggestions for this and other personal uses. Zoom, rotate (cell phone camera), trim, combine, mix, slideshow (video from pics, with soundtrack)...etc

Thanks!

 

Nice video, really glad I did the Hutch mod early on. Do you think air bubbles would show up on a gauge as fluctuations?

 

Thanks. I wasn't sure if it would be clear, then being a tall narrow video, not much room for annotations. All in 15 secs

I don't know about any effect on a gauge

I know I had a visual image of hitting an injector with a ball peen hammer when I saw that gulp of air

I was careful to quickly cycle the key to not allow diesel to empty the clear tubing before pumping again. That is what concerned me the most- the gulp of air AFTER the pump was running

It was repeatable and happened every time. Hence the video

IMHO, this suggests the problem with the fuel supply side to the pump is even more troublesome than just losing some fuel capacity when low- and it can't be avoided by simply filling before 1/8 tank.

I figured it was my chance to give back to the community

 

That takes speed reading to a whole new level.

You can absolutely see air with a FP gauge. Do a WOT test. If the FP gauge drops below 55 PSI (maybe a little higher on stock sticks), air in fuel steps forward from the usual suspects.

 

Yeah, I'll try to do a bit better next time. 15s isn't much to work with, LOL.

In your opinion, the gulp of air I had...would it show up as a needle bounce, stay low, or what? (Yes, I did resolve this issue already, but diagnostic info is always helpful to all )

Also curious so I know what to watch for on my digital fuel pressure gauge? (ie- 3 secs low pressure, sudden drop of 10psi, etc

 

A drop-foot will always cause a drop and a bounce - the inertia in the fuel line is resistant to the change in demand. You don't focus so much on how deep it sinks, but where it lands after the surprise to the pump. Rolling into it will always yield better results.

 

Nice vid! I still need to do the hutch and harpoon mod on my truck. this sure dose help.

 

Thanks, Scotty! Yeah, all that air makes it pretty easy to see why it's so important to get the fuel supply squared away. Made me cringe a bit when I first saw it

I knew I was likely getting air when the fuel level got low, but I never expected to be getting air every time the pump cycled!

I read a good explanation of it on FTE, but a few bubbles here and there didn't seem like such a big deal...until I saw the gulp. Hmmm....no wonder we have starting issues- start the fuel pump, send air to the injectors...duh! LOL.


Rich- Thanks for the good info again. Watching the fuel pressure drop after starting doesn't necessarily mean the fuel pump isn't able to keep up, it could just be air. Good to know!