03 Cummins - cold start problem- gone worse ..update
 

Still fight'in with this one.

Had 2 FCA replaced, then they said it was the plug in connection. They added a wire to help the contact stay in place. Also retorqued nuts on tubes to the injectors. Seemed a done deal. A few runs later, started to get longer and longer crank time before starting. finally would not start at all without little burst of the "bad stuff "....starting fluid. I know, don't use it...!.... :madd: hard to choose a tow truck over it... :argh::argh::argh:

It does start on it's own occasionally. Just changed the fuel filter again today, wanted to try something. No different.
Check engine light is not on. Runs perfect once it hits, can drive it around just fine. It does seem to restart most of the time when you try it right away.

I'm gett'in more and more worried it's gonna be injection pump time....But don't understand why it would run so well once it starts if the pump was going.

I have a appointment at the dealership again this Fri 8:00 a.m.

Let me know if anyone has any new ideas. Sure would like to get this running like it should, and without running back to the dealership again.

:argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh:

Hows the oil level doing?? Seem to be rising, have a diesel like odor??

no, just checked it today looks normal.

I'm wondering if you lift pump isn't the culprit.

I only have a few hundred miles on a new one. Though I should've spent the money towards an Air Dog... from what I know now... :ph:

I also ran a test. a few weeks ago, I pulled the fuel feed line off just before the Fuel Control A and ran a new hose to an auxilary el. fuel pump and into a can of diesel. bypassing the entire existing filter/pump/fuel pickup in fuel tank. Still had problems. However, that was before the issue's with the FCA el. plug, and retorque of the connector tube nuts had been done.

Maybe I should bypass the whole system again...now..? :humm:

I also just a week or so ago had a pressure gauge between the filter and FCA and I had around 9-10lbs.

I can hear it humm'in too.
When I changed the filter today. Before restart. I cycled the ignition and when the light went off to start the engine, I just bumped the starter to make the lift pump run for a while to reprime the system. And I destinctly remember it humm'in while I waited for it to quit but it didn't want to start then either.

Your thoghts?... :pca1:

Must've had the pump relocated to the tank??

No, I replaced the original lift pump configuration on the back of the fuel filter.
At the time I was unaware of the recommended ungrade pump conversion in the tank.

It's also possible the pop off on the fuel rail is shot. Can remove the banjo bolt and crank it over. If fuel comes out, need a new valve.

which banjo bolt do you remove to do this test?...
And the valve that may be shot, is that what is referred to as the cascade overflow valve that is next to the 2 banjo bolts? Or is there another valve?... you did say on the fuel rail not the injection pump....:humm:

Thanks for the suggestion WildBill. Wasn't sure how to check this....which banjo bolt to remove to run this test.

So, I took truck in to the dealership this morning :madd:
Waiting to hear what they find. This is the 5th time I've brought it in since early June.
And it's a 100mi round trip. :argh: :madd: :madd: :bat: :ph:


How's that saying go.... :humm: " Life sucks, then you die !!! "

Any other advice would be apreciated.
I really haven't given up on this truck yet, just a little pissy today. :madd:

I'll send new info as I hear anything guys :pca1: