turning over won't start, sometimes...
 

I have a 99 4x4 3500DRW, and I'm having problems getting it to start consistently. It seems to happen most often after it sits for a few days, but it'll just turn over and over and not start or even fire. I can hear the lift pump running, and I'll let it run until it turns off and try again, sometimes if I wait 15 minutes it'll start or otherwise if I try again the next day sometimes it will start, but I basically have to just keep going back and trying again and it's getting old.

I also had problems getting it to start consistently here in Ohio over the winter when it was <40F or so, but I don't know if that was related or not.

Any idea what I can look into? Thanks much!

Do you live in a concitently cold area? Have you considered glow plugs?

Check your grid heater and make sure it is getting power. No grid heater in the cold will take forever to start. That was the issue with my wife's truck. Been starting up good since.

Have you tried tightening the banjo bolt on the back of the head. You might have a air leak in the fuel system. But first try parking with your nose down hill. If this is the case tighten the bolt on the head.

I think it might have been a dying/dead lift pump, does that sound right? I took out a banjo bolt to test fuel pressure (I don't have gauges) and it read around 2psi and then wouldn't start again...

I replaced the lift pump but relocated it to the frame rail near the tank instead with some angle iron, wire, and fuel line. Then found the ground wire didn't actually go to ground, so I grounded it to the frame and the lift pump seems to work reliably now.

I guess only time and weather will tell if that actually fixed the cold-start problem....

Did you replace it with another carter pump? If so I strongly recommend looking into a better aftermarket lift pump and gauges to go with it.

Actually I replaced it with

CARQUEST or Airtex Electric Fuel Pump E7153: Advance Auto Parts

Which is only $117 with coupon code 'trt30', and has a straight connector on the back that 3/8" fuel line will fit and clamp over well. I took the hard line between the stock lift pump and fuel filter housing, cut it in half, flared the ends, and put line and double clamps between them as well.

I am ordering gauges to keep an eye on things now, but with the pump relocation and the lifetime warranty and easy replacement I'm hopeful I won't have more problems...

Thanks for the update, you should get some gauges to put on the ole' 99 it helps so much to know when things start going bad.
You probably read this or have been told about the Bosch VP44 injection pump doesn't like not being well supplied with fuel lift pump pressure they fail pretty quick when ran dry.
If you were at 2 psi without the engine running it would have been zero with the engine even just idling. Hope the VP44 holds up for you good thing you couldn't get it going and keep driving on the bad lift pump.

Yes I read about that, I don't know how long I've been running on a bad or shoddy lift pump, but hopefully not long enough to cause any damage. I haven't been able to drive it much since I replaced the lift pump because I noticed a crack in the exhaust manifold and just got the parts to replace that a couple days ago... :(

Do you run 2-stroke in your fuel? It might give you extra insurance against pump failure. But only time will tell is you did damage with the pressures being so low.

Hell we all live and learn its part of life at least you have a truck that's worth fixing!!
Mine is pushing 285000 miles and heading for 300000 just around the bend.:c:

Nope I never ran 2-stroke in my fuel, the old lift pump might have failed faster too because all of the bolts holding it to the engine were vibrated loose, it was just hanging on by the fuel line.

Try it you will notice a difference. The motor will quiet down a little. The fuel we buy today is not like the fuel available when these trucks were new. The current fuel does not lubricate as it should, thus the need for 2-stroke. I run TC-w3 in mine I add 2 16oz bottles per whole tank fill up.

So a whole quart of oil for ~30 gallons of diesel?

The ratio to mix it in is 1oz per 1 gallon of fuel.

Hey ghostman does it sound like a Stihl chainsaw going down the road? :tttt: hahaha

It sounds like one with a muffler on it:tu:

I might try some two stroke I have been running lucas forever but the two stroke oil may be cheaper. Any other benefits from it? is it good on injectors too? It would probably lubricate the injector nicely.

Its good for the entire fuel system.

i see low fuel pressure all the time. if the truck will not hold 4- 5 psi at wide open it wont keep the vp cool enough and will fail. 17 psi is better but that takes a fass or airdog. i hope your vp is not hurt. some seem to take low pressure better than others. :hellox:

I wouldn't comfortably run a vp below 10 psi.

When I get my gauges in and installed I'll let you know what the pressure looks like at various stages of throttle, with a cheap but relocated lift pump. :)

I would like to add that I would learn all I can about your truck and not be afraid to put some money in the truck as you can afford it.
Your truck with proper maintenance can last you a very long time. It is really a sound investment in reliable transportation. I know for myself anyway with the price of the new trucks and the new EPA garbage on them :nope: I will keep mine for a long time.

Yes I plan on keeping this truck literally forever, it's been my favorite body style of truck since 1993 when it came out and this combo of options is what I've always wanted since then (when I was in 3rd grade, wow...). :)