Fuel pump help
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,880
Likes: 9,175
From: Western NY
I finally had the chance to inspect the DFCM. Everything was as it should be visually. So I took it apart to verify the oring was not torn up somehow. That was also in good shape. I put it back together and tried priming it.
No bueno.
So I pulled it apart again to inspect the replacement filter and ensure it matched the outgoing filter. Everything looked the same there, though I forgot to look at the filter for numbers like the old one has on it. I put it all back together and primed the daylights out of it. I've never primed one as much in the past as I did this one. After 11 primings, I tried starting her.
I was just turning the key to off when it started. I primed again and started it. (so 12 primings total on this last try).
It seems to run as previously experienced. It seems to crank a little longer than previously. But I'm only talking cranking for 2 seconds now before it starts, when in the past it felt like it only cranked for 1 second before it would start.
I'm going to drive it tomorrow, assuming it starts in the morning and see how it goes.
Thanks for your help Overkill2. Hopefully it's just normal weirdness and nothing more.
No bueno.
So I pulled it apart again to inspect the replacement filter and ensure it matched the outgoing filter. Everything looked the same there, though I forgot to look at the filter for numbers like the old one has on it. I put it all back together and primed the daylights out of it. I've never primed one as much in the past as I did this one. After 11 primings, I tried starting her.
I was just turning the key to off when it started. I primed again and started it. (so 12 primings total on this last try).
It seems to run as previously experienced. It seems to crank a little longer than previously. But I'm only talking cranking for 2 seconds now before it starts, when in the past it felt like it only cranked for 1 second before it would start.
I'm going to drive it tomorrow, assuming it starts in the morning and see how it goes.
Thanks for your help Overkill2. Hopefully it's just normal weirdness and nothing more.
That's normal for the truck to take a few seconds to start after a filter change like that after it sits but it'll go back to firing right up in no time.
That just happened to me recently. The truck was at the dealer for a warranty appointment for a clogged EGR cooler core. The tech must have accidentally wacked injector 4 and cracked the plastic on it, the return fitting (I don't know... Never saw mine) and replaced it under warranty. Anyways, the first few starts were like that. Back to normal now...
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 286
Likes: 6
That’s what I’m hoping for. She’s started 3 times this morning without issue other than the seemingly long crank.
There must be an air bubble that get’s stuck someplace in the system and takes some time to get rid of it.
Funny for me that it’s taken 95k miles for that issue to show up. I change my fuel filters when I do my oil every 5k miles. It’s just a habit I got in with my 7.3. That went to 400k when I sold it. So I’ve done this change several times now. Strange to say the least.
I feel like it’s cheap insurance to do the filters that frequently.
There must be an air bubble that get’s stuck someplace in the system and takes some time to get rid of it.
Funny for me that it’s taken 95k miles for that issue to show up. I change my fuel filters when I do my oil every 5k miles. It’s just a habit I got in with my 7.3. That went to 400k when I sold it. So I’ve done this change several times now. Strange to say the least.
I feel like it’s cheap insurance to do the filters that frequently.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,880
Likes: 9,175
From: Western NY
That’s what I’m hoping for. She’s started 3 times this morning without issue other than the seemingly long crank.
There must be an air bubble that get’s stuck someplace in the system and takes some time to get rid of it.
Funny for me that it’s taken 95k miles for that issue to show up. I change my fuel filters when I do my oil every 5k miles. It’s just a habit I got in with my 7.3. That went to 400k when I sold it. So I’ve done this change several times now. Strange to say the least.
I feel like it’s cheap insurance to do the filters that frequently.
There must be an air bubble that get’s stuck someplace in the system and takes some time to get rid of it.
Funny for me that it’s taken 95k miles for that issue to show up. I change my fuel filters when I do my oil every 5k miles. It’s just a habit I got in with my 7.3. That went to 400k when I sold it. So I’ve done this change several times now. Strange to say the least.
I feel like it’s cheap insurance to do the filters that frequently.
Anyways, I go every 3rd oil change and I let the truck tell me when to change the oil but that's just me... I also have the used oil analyzed... The fuel filter set change interval for the 11 to 16s is every third oil change or by 22.5k miles...
Mine is usually right at the max there but I also watch the primary fuel pressure at the feed for the secondary fuel filter. By the end of the service life of the set, the primary fuel pressure only drops a few PSI or so. I have one of two Banks iDashes set up to watch this...
Since I installed the S&S gen 2 disaster kit, the pressure actually runs a few PSI points higher than prior to. This makes sense, at least to me, because with the kit installed, it actually puts out more fuel over 3k RPMs than just the stock CP4 without the kit...
This goes against what you do but if you change the oil at 5k miles, that's 15k miles with 3 changes so you would still be 7k miles under the recommended max... But like I said, to each their own. Just sharing info. Good luck.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 286
Likes: 6
That's the good AND bad of the internet! We can learn from other's experiences and we can learn from other's experiences! Sometimes we can actually head of a problem before it gets really big. But sometimes it's "oh my, there's a problem starting that will cause me issues!!
This turned out to be a non-issue. After I drove around today, things were back to an as remembered crank time.
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. It's all good!
This turned out to be a non-issue. After I drove around today, things were back to an as remembered crank time.
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. It's all good!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,975
Likes: 4,047
Easy way to tell if the engine top filter is legit, which usually comes with the lower filter as a kit. The part number will be etched into the plastic. If it is ink jet printed, it is not a legit Ford filter but aftermarket. You can see the part number without removing the filter as it is right on top behind the fittings.
I think the OP's issue was not fully priming the system by not driving it. When shut down the trapped air allowed the fuel to siphon back into the tank, leaving the lines dry. Once it was fully primed and run for a while, the air was fully removed which prevents drainback. More than likely the air was in the return line. If you fill a straw and put a finger on one end, the liquid will remain, but if there is air at the finger end, eventually it will all leak out. The air bubble breaks the seal and all the liquid pours out siphoning all the way back. My 2019 takes at least a dozen cycles as well before it will even start. I can hear the gurgling with each cycle. When both filters are replaced, that is a LOT of air to remove. Once primed, drive it a few miles to fully purge any air bubbles, especially from the return side.
I think the OP's issue was not fully priming the system by not driving it. When shut down the trapped air allowed the fuel to siphon back into the tank, leaving the lines dry. Once it was fully primed and run for a while, the air was fully removed which prevents drainback. More than likely the air was in the return line. If you fill a straw and put a finger on one end, the liquid will remain, but if there is air at the finger end, eventually it will all leak out. The air bubble breaks the seal and all the liquid pours out siphoning all the way back. My 2019 takes at least a dozen cycles as well before it will even start. I can hear the gurgling with each cycle. When both filters are replaced, that is a LOT of air to remove. Once primed, drive it a few miles to fully purge any air bubbles, especially from the return side.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 286
Likes: 6
Took about 50 miles
Mine took about 50 miles to get the air bubble(s) out after changing the pair. And that’s after priming probably 25 times. I’ve never had one (in probably 16 fuel filter changes) be that stubborn to get cleared.
Hopefully it’s a single occurrence and the next time will be like previously experienced.
Hopefully it’s a single occurrence and the next time will be like previously experienced.
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