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Diesel wont start

Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 26 MILES
The truck was running and driving good until a week and a half ago when it was a little sluggish. I thought it was the transmission fluid so I chaged it and it was still the same. One day we were driving it and parked it in front of our house and when I tried to start it, it wouldn't start soi cahnge the fuel filter and it was the same. So I droped the fuel tank because I thought maybe the mesh filter was clogged and when I took it down it had no fuel. The fuel messuring thing was stuck and wasnt working. I cleaned the tank the mesh filter, put so diesel in and it started right up. The truck was running good for the next two days. When I tried to start it after work it would start and shut of in the middle of the driveway and it would keep doing it. So I change the lift pump becase there wasnt fuel going into the injectors, then I changed the fuel actuator which I was told that it was the sensor that is located on the back of the injection pump. It starts if I put either but onloy last a few seconds. I have the following codes P0148 which is water in fuel, p2269 I think I got with the water in fuel, P0251 was because I opened the injector lines because I thought I had to burp it, and the last code that I got was p2509(the resson I changed the fuel control actuator) which was low fuel pressure. I need help asap, the truck is my transportation and I cant fix it. Any help would be really appreciated.
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Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 AT 2:53 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
You said when you dropped the tank it was empty. I presume you have made sure there is fuel in the tank this time. Hook up a fuel pressure tester near the regulator/return and make sure you have between 30 and 40 PSI. If the pressure is low, replace the pump. You may also wish to flush the fuel lines.
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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 4:17 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
I changed the fuel pump and I did flush out the return line and a few others that go on the injection pump
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 12:45 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Quality control usually catches defective products, but not always. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's perfect.
Allowing the tank to run dry may also have allowed the pump to pick up contaminants that have clogged the injectors.
All of the codes you quoted point to low fuel pressure, though.
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 4:26 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Ok I dnt have any fuel pressure tools and the ones that they sell in autozone arent really for a diesel, or so they say. And what are the odd of the injection pump going bad because of this?
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 4:54 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Admittedly not very good. But still there. But I'd bet that the injectors were contaminated when you ran the tank dry. THAT is a VERY common occurrence. It's the main reason automotive people will tell customers to fill their tanks when they reach 1/4 tank.
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 6:24 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Well my problem was that the float or fuel messure thing in the tank was stuck. So by contaminated you mean what exactly?
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 1:57 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Dirt, corrosion, other stuff that hangs out on the bottom of a fuel tank.
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 2:58 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Ok cuz when we dropped the tank there was some slimy looking thing on the mesh filter and the tank. What is that by the way?
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
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Most likely sludge. Or chunks of corroded tank lining. Either way, it may have gotten into the fuel lines and clogged the injectors. Try purging the fuel lines and then running some injector cleaner through it.
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 3:41 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Ok I will clean the lines and see what happens and let u know
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Ok. Have a happy 4th if we don't hear from you before then.
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Thanks. Ive tried it again and the only thing that I could think of is that the injection pump is bad.
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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That could be it. I'm guessing that you checked fuel pressure at the rail and found it either lacking or nonexistent?
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 4:45 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Yeah I cleaned out all the lines and there was no pressure on the fuel rail. Before it ran out of fuel it was sluggish, what that the beggining of the end of the pump or did something else killed it?
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 4:55 AM
Tiny
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Running dry could have quickened its demise.
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 5:52 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
So besides running dry what else could of ruinned it. See the truck only has 26, *** miles. So as you can see its a little shocking.
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Running dry. That clogged screen (which emulates running dry). Water in the fuel. Defective internal components. Other contaminants in the fuel corroding the pump mechanism and/or rubber parts.
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Thursday, July 7th, 2011 AT 1:45 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Ok what can I do from now on besides not letting it go dry, to prevent the pump from going bad, because thats a VERY EXPENSIVE pump
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Thursday, July 7th, 2011 AT 1:59 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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I would use a fuel conditioner. Never let the tank run dry. If you use the cheapest fuel, try spending a few cents more per gallon for better quality fuel.
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Thursday, July 7th, 2011 AT 2:07 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Alright I got and injection pump and changed it. Now it starts for about 10-15 minutes and dies out. I also got another new lift pump and still the same. Any ideas?
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 3:32 PM

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