losing fuel and has to be primed always after first start

2910 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by aber57, Jun 9, 2010

huffpuff

Discussion Starter · Jun 8, 2010

My 2003 6.6 will start but after a minute all the fuel is gone from the filter and it quits. We pump it back up and it starts. Itis then good for the day. If we park i so the front of the truck faces down hill it doesent do that. But if we park it up hill it does it. Whats up???

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theunderlord

· #2 · Jun 8, 2010

air is getting into the system somehow.

when was the last time you changed the filter?

did you use new orings on the main seating area, and the WIF sensor?
what tool did you use to tighten the WIF?
did you lightly lube the orings?

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lishthedish

· #3 · Jun 8, 2010

Sounds like you're getting air in the system and losing prime. I would start by checking your filter head, and W/F separator for air leaks. Quite a few guys have had issues with them.

Edit: Underlord beat me to it.

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huffpuff

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 8, 2010

I did change the filter and the truck doesent hesitate anymore. It used to hesitate before it all of a sudden got its got up and go. It also would just quit out of the blue and then we pumped it back up. I didnt lube the o rings but I changed them. What do you lube them with?

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theunderlord

· #5 · Jun 8, 2010

huffpuff said:
I did change the filter and the truck doesent hesitate anymore. It used to hesitate before it all of a sudden got its got up and go. It also would just quit out of the blue and then we pumped it back up. I didnt lube the o rings but I changed them. What do you lube them with?

Vaseline works. I used Dow Corning 111.

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jmaz268

· #6 · Jun 8, 2010

did it do this on multiple different filters or just one?

I never lube mine and have never had an issue. Even when I didn't have a lift pump I didn't.

Couple issues could be present if happens on all filters....could be the O-rings going bad inside the filter housing or the housing could be cracked itself.

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aber57

· #7 · Jun 8, 2010

The opportunity for air to enter exists in a lot of places on the ingoing line from engine all the way back into tank. The fuel is only held in lines due to being sealed and having no vent to let it drain back. Same principle as putting a straws down in water, sealing end with finger and pulling it of water. Water stays in straw until you move the finger. The o rings at every snap fitting is that finger, as is the hose sections, filter top assembly, priming pump on filter top, air bleed screw on filter top, seals on fittings on FICM, etc etc.
Oh, don't think that pressurizing things will let you see liquid fuel dripping and let you find it. Life isn't that easy.
O rings that leak on suction of air will seal with pressure and fuel.
When you find the fault you are welcomed to add your name to list of people who will kick the guy who decided to save a few coins on not putting an in tank electric pusher pump if they ever find him. I think the guy helped with chassis fuel system design then retired and runs a wrecker service.........

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Davis Dresser

· #8 · Jun 8, 2010

this happen to me. the fuel filter cap where the fuel filter screws into, ther the prime pimp is. was cracked and i was losing prime

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huffpuff

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 9, 2010

Here is the thing as well you should know. The truck was starting hard. \so glow plug wires corroded off. They had to cut,chew ,drill,and swear a lot to get them out. Then they said it needed new injectors. So $4000 later they said here ya go all fix. Been doing that ever since .It never did it before that.and that dealership is hard to get anything donr right.I changed the filter and it seemed to e better. Works nost of the time but will do it when you dont expect it. Should I get a cummins!!

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aber57

· #10 · Jun 9, 2010

During injector replacement there are a lot of fuel line connections and hoeses that are disturbed. It could be allowing air in in several places. If you are up to doing it yourself you could have someone pressure up fuel tank with cap off and air nozzle sealed with a rag. This keeps pressure low.
Look at filter housing, FICM to housing hose and hard line to FICM hose, also the rubber hose to test port on rh front engine. Look at LH valve cover snap fittings. Check the primer pump and the bleed screw on filter hosuing and generally check hosuing all over since they have been reported to crack.
If you don't see fuel escaping then retry with soapy water in a spray bottle. If fuel has run out already then there won't be fuel to leak out for leak checks.

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