I had an interesting noise today from the Ex that I believe to be air going through the injectors.
Cranked the truck this morning and let idle about a minute, nothing strange sounded like any other morning, but upon giving some throttle to get up the driveway there was a light rattle noise much like an engine with all the lifters that have bled down but only with throttle application and no noise at idle. I'm pretty sure this would be air in the fuel system, tank is over 3/4 full... First time I have heard this in the 15 months of owning the Ex, I never have any lack of power like a clogged pickup filter and I rebuilt the fuel bowl orings this time last year due to fuel in the valley. Everything sounded fine again within a mile of leaving.
Im wondering where it would pull air from, perhaps the dual hose assembly above the tank when cold and shrunken? MPG the tank before was down 3mpg... might have gotten some b20 mix??? and killed some orings/seals even though its not labeled as such on the pump.

First question is are the seals/orings replaceable in the dual hose assy or just the whole dual hose assy? I believe its 2C3Z9J338BA.

Now at $180 for the hose assembly, are the people doing hutch/harpoons using this factory hose assy or just moving to a viton hose slipped over the hardline with double clamps inplace of the factory line locks? Anywhere else I should be looking for an air leak other than the filter cap? Parker sleeves are a year old and show no leak of diesel.
If the hose assembly isn't to be reused I'd rather spend the money on a 2micron suction rated filter and housing than on a vibralock line.
I looked at guzzles hutch page but the pics dont enlarge and there was mention of reusing the vibralock return portion?
Thanks for tips and clarification of air sources and this is air in injectors is what i heard.
Mike

 

Welcome aboard Mike,

Couple of questions to clarify will help with responses.

What was the temp outside?
How warm was the truck when it occurred?
Are you running fuel additive for jelling?
Filters changed when? What brand?
Tuned?
Stock injectors?
Oil type and weight?

I know your new but the way this works best is to throw every possible piece of info at the panel and any modifications to your truck will also help resolve issues.

Helps not having to play the twenty question game from every responder.

We'll do our best to help!!

Denny

 

What was the temp outside? 45F that morning

How warm was the truck when it occurred? First start of day, it has never had any trouble cranking or running in the 20's here. Was mid 20's about two weeks ago.

Are you running fuel additive for jelling? Not ever needed in georgia

Filters changed when? What brand? Last year about 10k ago, M-craft. Diesel is really clean here compared to what I hear from friends who have moved away.

Tuned? Stock

Stock injectors? Stock, buzz test is even and strong.

Oil type and weight Motorcraft 15w40

Adding, watched battery at 12.1 after cranking I wait for the glow plugs to drop and V to rise 14.3 before driving off.

 

12.1 volts seems a bit high with GP's ON. Possibly a few glow plugs have burnt out or valve cover connection problems, maybe even a bad GP relay. They don't last forever.

What year is the truck, how many miles? These rigs make a hell of a racket with cold cylinder(s) until warmed up a bit by driving. Was it smoking white at all?

 

Hussler, he states he waits for GP timeout not wts light which explains the jump back to 12.1

That's healthy.

I just want to add that being 45 degrees with no agent in the tank.......

If they aren't running winter blend diesel, that's danger close to cloudy temp for untreated fuel. 32 is the gel point up north. Treated.

40 non treated.

We're in a negative temp in michigan, and I run a few gallons of number 1, kerosene, or jet fuel and skip the additive because it could have a negative influence on the diesel and retard and settle the fuel making it ineffective and actually counter effective. (despite what some will say, it's a fact).

I make my own fuel in summer so I'm not the know all but I have read up and kinda have a handle on the fuel properties.

The only thing I have for you, is to change your fuel filter. 10k is the giveaway.

You have 3/4 tank as stated. Drive by the pump and see what blend they're selling.

That may be a player. If this is the first time it's sounding like a clown band, I go fuel quality/filter restricted.

My two.

Denny

 

I'll stick to my above comment. He can certainly replace any parts as he thinks the issues are.

 

2001 Ex, Im familiar with the usual 7.3 injector noises being increased when all is cold. This was a completely different sound like the injector plungers were tapping bottom when the hp oil flow increased with the go pedal.

All glow plugs are good, gpcm is a just a few months new. Exide batteries are 60 days old and I put a high current diode pack and regulator that the builders book said was rated @ 14.3 and it is dead on. Yes the voltage drops below 12 while the glows are on and to just under 11 cranking.

The fuel gelling isn't a problem, I have five diesels here and it was in the high 20's several nights a couple of weeks ago. Same tank of fuel. It did not do it this morning and the overnight was mid 40's again.

Only time the truck has ever made any white smoke was a few months ago when one bank of the gpcm died and set off bad gpcm and one full bank of plugs in codes. It was one puff of smoke about vehicle sized and blew away in a few seconds.
I'm going to replace the filter when the stores open back up incase the lid seal let in some air...

Still curious if the hose set at the tank has replaceable orings in the fitting.

The pump at kroger does not mention there being any blend, i was suspicious they may have unknowingly got a batch of blend b/c a previous tank was low on mpg and then a possible air intrusion afterwards. I've had to replace hoses and pump seals on my diesel isuzus injector pumps back when b20 first hit the market and saw lower mpg.... try it its great they said.... I made a few batches of b100 back before the brown oil dumpsters showed up and contracted with all the local fast foods for their oil but i didn't find it worth the trouble since i had no large quantity blending or storage. The TDI golf liked it just fine though.

 

My truck loved 100%wvo. 4yrs/125k on it..... There's no outings/loks at tanks' fuel line ends, just quick connect on the protruded fittings. Might be with a couple hrs of time to drop the tank to inspect the pickup screens. If on hand, do the h/h and install a 3007 filter from Napa, in the meantime...