First off just want to say things in advance for the help. I have a 1997 Dodge 2500, 5-spd 4x4. 160K on the clock....pretty much bone stock..and

Well, my 97 died AGAIN!

So today another fuel issue. I was driving it yesterday, perfect, this morning perfect...Then filled my tank with some red #2....and within 10 miles it was dead....Now I know what you're thinking maybe it's the fuel, but that's all I've run for the last 3 months. But maybe there was a chunk in it?

I was driving and it would stall, tons of white/blue hazy smoke as it tried to climb RPM....Got to the point I couldn't keep it running. I would have to put the clutch in to keep it running. Used 1st gear to idle home about 2 miles. 1st gear seemed to be low enough not to bog it down...but it would...then it would die, then id crank it over, would barely run...but started, rough and awful...got it homw left it for a while. Put in some centane boost, and injector cleaner....went to start actually ran good for about 30 seconds and then started starving for fuel again.

Drained the Water in fuel, would crank ran a sec and died. Cycled it a bit, went to drain again and just a few drips like it didn't fill up.

Bought a new fuel filter, didn't change thanks to the awful weather, but i changed it less then 500 miles ago, so i don't think that's it.

I don't think the lift pump was ever changed, and it might just be a coincidence it died after putting that fuel in....

I need help guys, it won't run, have no ride...

HELP ME OUT!! thanks in advance

 

Sounds like gelled fuel. Run some Power Service Diesel 911 per directions + a few more ounces in the tank, then drain and straight shot it with the 911. Change out the filter, then once you get some #1 diesel, change it again and you should be good to go. Once it's cold enough, wax crystals form in the fuel and that's what plugs the filter. Any colder, the pour point of the fuel drops (gelled fuel) and there you sit.

 

Has this been happening for awhile of is it something new?

How cold is it? And how much fuel did you put in? Are you sure your grid heaters are working? How about the rubber fuel lines - they tend to dry rot and let air into the system?

I know youve replaced the fuel filter, but have you ever cleaned or replaced the fuel prefilter?

To check fuel pressure, you simply remove the banjo bolt on the inlet to the P-7100 and drill and tap it 1/8" npt. Get a few fittings and some 1/8" or 1/4" DOT Air Brake line and a guage and you can test the fuel pressure. You also might need a needle valve if you dont want to kill the guage. Your setup should look like this:



Did you open the valve banjo bolt on top of the filter and pump the bulb? I just read your original post again and it does sound like gelled fuel. Might want to try some Power Service 911 or something similar. Make sure you put some right in the fuel filter.

 

hey my 96 did this a while back and i found rite where the fuel lines come from the tank out, they come in contact with the frame, useallly theres a pice of plastic there so they dont rub the frame, but none the less it does, check for a hole in your fuel line, try pressureing up your fuel tank a little if ya got a compressor and look for fuel to hit the ground and then just splice it w/ some good fuel hose and clamps and it will get ya by for a while, hope this helps

 

Hey guys thanks so far, it just started happening withing minutes of putting the new fuel in, and I am pretty dumb and didn't even think. I have been using this fuel for the past 4 months no issues, but yesterday in NY was a cold day, as were the past few days. Last time I filled up from there it was 60. Its been in the 20's & 30's and yesterday was snowing. The fuel is sitting outside, next to my garage, untreated. And It didn't even dawn on me.

So I am guessing as soon as the 30 Gallons of ice cold fuel mixed with the 4/5 that were in the tank, it sucked up a ton of the cold fuel, wax clogged the filter, and by time I added the treat ment it was already clogged up.

So here is my plan, when i get home. I am going to dump the fuel in the bowl...change the filter fill the bowl with some anti-gel diesel mix.....and crank it over...

The tank now has antigel in it so it should be ok, but i might throw a heating pad on it over night just to see..

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I have never checked the prescreen filter, where is it located? what should I be looking for. avent checked fuel lines yet either.

Also I like your set up, and actually have an Autometer fuel gaguge to instal. I went with an electric gaguge, more $$ but since its electric i think it wont be killed by pressure surges...can i hook it up the same way? Also what did you tap? You drilled and tapped an 1/8" NPT hole right through the head of the Banjo bolt?

 

What kind of antigel? You might want to consider using the stuff thats designed for fuel emergencies.

The best guide for this is here:

Fuel Pre-Filter Cleaning on Ram/Cummins

I am not sure of the specs of your electric guage - It will need to read to AT LEAST 40 psi - the stock lift pump will damage a 0-30 psi guage.

I personally would not run an electric guage - way too much $ and if they havent improved the senders - they arent very reliable. The ellectric senders arent very durable and you will want a needle valve (barely cracked) or a pressure snubber or your guage probably wont live very long. You should be able to hook up the sender of your guage the same as I have shown and just run the wire to the guae instead of tubing. And yes, that is simply a 1/8" NPT tapped hole into the inlet of the P-7100. sorry the pic is not better. if you have any more questions, fire away.

 

What's the good word??

 

Ok, so here's where I am at, Ran Some Diesel 911 through. Changed the filter, it was slimy and gross. again. I primed using the 911 and some clean diesel and i got it running.Ran rough for a few minutes and then died again. Same thing, white smoke not getting fuel....

I have run 3 tanks of "off road" from my home oil tank, is there a possibility i have sludge or something in my tank from that. Because the last two times this has happened it has caused my filter to be covered in oilly, think black almost like cream...and it's nasty..


Help me out guys, my wife is getting sick of me driving her car, and she wants me to sell this thing to get a tacoma.

I am thinking drain the tank empty, run some nice clean diesel, some detergent, and ANOTHER new fuel filter...

does the tank have a drain on it?

also where is the pre-screen filter...i need to just get it all done

thanks
ryan

 

Theres no drain on the tank - if you want to empty it you have to drop it, remove the fuel pickup module and pump it out.

I already gave you a link for the fuel prefilter. It might be helpful to read all the responses you get.

It does sound like bad fuel. Good luck with it.

 

Your probably going to end up having to steam clean the fuel tank, that's if new diesel doesn't cut (thin) the sludge left in the tank. Also, get a bottle of biocide and mix it in (strong), just in case and let it sit for a few hours before you purge to the fuel filter bowl and then to the injector pump.