94 7.3L IDI

I want to bounce an idea off you guys and see if it's a
good one or maybe I shouldn't do it. It's one solution
to my problem. I'm sure there are others but not as easy.

I will be letting my truck sit for months without using it. But
when I want it, I want it. It was running perfect and starting perfect
before I let it sit this last time. When I went to start it, the
nightmares began. I am now gun shy. I'm afraid to let the truck sit
without periodic starts. That's not handy because my truck
will be stored about 40 miles from my house. I need a way
to prevent any air getting into the fuel system while sitting for
long periods.

The fuel filter sits at the highest point in the fuel system
and has the most areas where it could leak in air. Also, the check
valve in the lift pump might leak over a long period of time. I now,
thanks to you guys, see where the return line runs. It is the lowest point
in the system. What would happen if I put a ball valve in the
return line and closed it during long sits? If fuel can't go down
to the tank, air can't get in. Not much anyway. What do you think?

 

I have never heard of it but I guess it would work.

 

I'll give this a little time. Some one may think of a reason not to, given enough time.

The only other thing I can think of is finding all the leaks and fixing them. Yuk!

 

could throw an electric pump on there and just kick that on for a bit before you start it so it could prime the system for ya

 

im with john on the fuel pump idea but why let a good truck sit so long

 

I had so much trouble getting this engine started after I put on a new I/P that I thought I would have to do just that to get running. I finally got it started today. A valve is dirt cheap compared to an electric pump but a pump is not off the table yet.

 

When you figgure that you usually have to work on the fuel system somewhere between 100 and 150,000 miles why not just fix it. If you go with the valves unless you turn them off every time you let it set overnight it is going to be hard to start.
In rust country I can see where the metal crossover can go bad but that is going to make a bad or no running situation, The nylon lines if left alone last forever and the return lines usually last in the meighborhood of 100,000 miles, or you can add an electric pump. If you leave it parked for months at a time I would use a good fuel conditioner every tank.

 

the pressure line from lift pump to filter is your first problem it uses viton o rings to seal it, replace with some areoquip or equivalent line and inverted flare fittings and be done with it. the o rings let air in but unless cracked keep fuel from leaking, and so fuel drains back trough to tank, another good idea is get a solar battery charger that self regulates charging cycles so your batt's will stay hot . hope this helps you, I have no idea why they even made these type of fitments for anything, oh wait so you have problems and have to come back to have fixed. I worked on all diesels but i/h was most we had mess with the 360 and 466 530 in lines all had the same problem but at least they had a primer pump built in, 850 pumps on it get running if sat for longer than one weak, LOL!