Hello, I am a new member to the forum. I've used this site previously to look for solutions for my truck. I hardly consider myself a backyard mechanic but I can usually figure out any problems I run into after enough research. If I could take it to a mechanic right now I would but I've called multiple places and being from a small rural town no one can help me.

Since it started getting cold my truck was having hard starts until finally it reached crank no start. I replaced both batteries recently with 875cca. The positive cables were rebuilt recently and I checked all the connections to ensure they were secured and tight. Also switched from 15w to 10w.

I found that I wasn't getting diesel from the schaeder valve on the fuel filter while cranking. I disconnected the line from the filter intake and still got nothing. I left it disconnected and ran a jerry can to the pump. Still nothing. So I thought I'd replace the mechanical lift pump and try it again.

I just replaced it and I am still getting nothing on the outflow of the pump. I cranked a few times to give it time to work but I have no idea why I can't get diesel through this pump, or the other pump. The jerry can is sitting on the ground not far from the pump itself and im using a 4 foot 3/8" hose. I'd imagine the pump wouldn't struggle to lift that.

So I'm not sure what to do. My last thought it to check if anything is blocking that fuel line from the pump to the fuel filter. I should've when it was apart but didn't think of it at the time.

After that I don't know why I am not able to lift diesel, with that old pump, and this new one. Maybe I should've just bought the electric pump instead. But I still want to know why this is happening.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

 

Your old mechanical lift pump could have died and perhaps you mis-installed the new pump. Whenever you install a mechanical fuel pump it's a good idea to aim the lever arm down so you can install it properly below the eccentric on the end of the cam. I'd double check that before buying an electric fuel pump. Of course, make sure your fuel IN from the jerry can isn't clogged.

 

Interesting......Maybe the old pump`s Diaphram some piece came off and plugged up
the lift tube pipe. Just throwing it out there.
New pump should move fuel w/o question.

When I replaced my pump lil over a year ago, I eliminated the pipe and ran 3/8" hose.
You will need to buy a couple Barb Fittings. Reason I did it, didn`t want to diddle around
with the old Olives.
I changed the old pump because I noticed it was wet on the bottom.
Better fix now than be stranded down the road later on.

You could add the 3/8" hose to the pump, then the other end into a container to see how
it pumps. If it does, run the hose up to the Filter and connect it.
When I did mine, I filled the hose with ATF before connecting it, this way I was eliminating
any possibility of any air. Also take off the filter to see it it is full, if not top it off.
(I use a $ store meat syringe to fill the hose)

If your GP`s are working, she should start.

There are no shops that want or know how to work on these old Diesels, and shops that
only work of gassers, to them Diesels are VOO DOO scary things....


Charlie