ok guys,just installed engine 7.3 idi,and it want start.i have read you have to keep cranking it til it starts.i have and bout killed the batteries.i pulled the line off from fuel pump to the fuel filter and it isnt or doesnt have any pressure.i prefilled the fuel filter as well.engine has new glow plugs,new injectors.injector pump came off original engine and was a reman,and was good 2 days ago before installing o this engine.fuel tank has 1/8 to 1/4 tank in it.fuel pump on engine in truc looks like new,and was started before pulled on engine that is in it.i lined the inj. pump to the cam gear and installed it with 3 bolts of course in front.any suggestions...?low on fuel?bad pump?or just keep cranking?lol
i should name this thing money pit,as its about broke the bank with purchase and then all thats been spent on it to make it realiable and dependable.lmk what you gurus think.thank you!!!

 

I'm sure others that know much more about these trucks will chime in on this but... You say the output of the fuel pump has no pressure, and that the tank is 1/8 to 1/4 full... assuming that I understanding properly and you have no fuel coming out the pump (as opposed to fuel trickling out but with no pressure to speak of) than the pickup in the tank may be broke off. As I understand, the pickups in the fuel tanks have a habit of breaking off and it'll essentially run out of fuel with about that much in it.

What you could try, is run a hose from a bucket of fuel to the inlet of the pump and see how that goes.... but first, check the oil to make sure the diaphragm in the pump isn't ruptured (when that happens it can fill your crankcase with fuel..) smell the oil!

Goodluck

 

yes sir,thanks,i will drop a line in some diesel fuel tomorrow and see if i get fuel to filter.guy i got the truck saying it needs fuel,so he may know something about the line in tank and isnt coming clear.hes gonna bring some diesel fuel by tomorrow and we are gonna fuel it up,and if it doenst do anything,i will definitley drop a line in diesel off the pum to see if its pickin it up.how long does it usually take to get it started once fuel is up and pumping to injector pump?curous to know,have heard takes forever but new to the diesel idi and wasnt sure..?thanks for the reply.!!!

 

Personally, I have not had an issue trying to get mine to pump the fuel. when I change the filter, I fill the filter up with ATF before putting in on... and when I did my return line caps and orings (same time I installed the turbo!!) I just made sure the filter was full and cranked for 10 seconds or so... with my the throttle to the floor and she fired. Ran real ruff for about 10 seconds after that but then smoothed right out. Lucky I guess, because I've heard of and read off folks on here having to bleed the system by cracking the lines at the injectors until fuel starts coming out several of them before it'll start.

Once you know the fuel pump is actually pumping fuel... have someone press in on the core of the schrader valve on top the the filter head (looks like a tire valve stem..) until fuel comes out (put a rag over top or wear safety glasses because it may spray!). Then if it still will not fire after a session of cranking, crack the injector lines (at the injectors) each individually until fuel comes out of them (this bleeds the system). Maybe do half the injectors, 2 on each side or something, then try to start again. I've heard that bleeding a couple usually gets her going when you have to go this route.

Just be sure you don't crank too much at a time... otherwise you'll be replacing the starter very soon.. crank for 15 to 20 seconds, cool for 30 seconds and repeat. After the 3rd 15 to 20 second crank, let it cool for 1 minute. That's what i do anyway!

 

Cranking rules ... 20 seconds MAX, 2 minute cool down!

The lift pump should provide 1/3 pint in 10 seconds of cranking at 4-7 psi.

Doing the math, With a good lift pump and no air leaks on the suction side, A completely dry system should take about 60 seconds (3 cycles) of cranking time to completely fill the system!

Do as Cruickie suggested, pull the suction line off the lift pump, connect a hose long enough to stick in a clean jug of fuel, Hold the Schrader valve on the filter head open or remove, you should get fuel within the first cranking cycle.

Close the Schrader, it should start within one more cranking cycle with out doing anything else ...

Cracking Injectors to bleed is unneeded unless the IP is junk, once the fuel system is full of fuel the only air left is in the Injector lines, the IP will push it right out the injectors in a couple of injection cycles.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~