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Finally left me stranded

SnowDrift

SnowDrift

Ultra Conservative. ULTRA!
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After having this for something like 12-14 years, my truck finally left me stranded for the first time. I'll spare the details, but it was a long day. Could have been much worse and I'm thankful for close friends and family.

Truck started sputtering a bit at an acceleration, after a stop light. I got it up to full speed and it started sputtering again upon deceleration. I wondered if I was going to get it going again, so pulled off the highway to let it just sit a bit. I put in park, pushed the throttle down, ran it up to about 2200 RPM and let off. It fell all the way down and just shut down like I hit the key. I changed out the fuel filter, even though it looked pretty new, suspecting it to be plugged and I just couldn't see the fine particles. I could not bleed the system afterward, though, since I cannot get fuel to even come to the top of the FFM.

Lift pump works - can hear it operating, but I have no fuel getting to the fuel filter manager, so I can't even fill the fuel bowl that holds the filter. Tank sock was changed about 10 years ago for a new one. Since the LP seems to be running, is it a fair guess that I might be best off to take the tank down to check the sock again? I suspect it's plugged, not allowing fuel to get to the FFM.

Second, if this turn out to be the case, I'll plan to purchase the filter kit from Leroy. Leroy, does this come with some sort of installation instructions you've made up for our trucks, or is there a write up on where to cut lines and such?
 
Blow air back into the tank after removing the cap. Running pump may still not be pumping.

You've had good service out of that truck.:)
 
Look for kinked hoses esp behind the FFM hidden below the wiring harness. Lift pumps with bad valves rattle and don't pump. They could also have trash in the valves like from the tank lining coming off (Replace tank). Gasoline contamination could vapor lock the pump. Any fuel system restriction has the rotory pump in the IP literally boil diesel in a vacuum aka vapor locking the lift pump.

Personally I love the Walbro's with the filter screen in the pump bowl. This way I loose the tank sock, drop in Leroy's bomb proof fuel level sensor and only drop the tank to pour out extreme bug slime. Plugged socks and fuel level sensors are long forgotten.
 
It was the lift pump, as it turns out. I had the original sitting around that I used this past spring to pump fuel for my project truck and swapped it in. I primed the filter and it fired right up. Thanks, guys. I'd have never suspected the pump not pumping if I could hear it. I thought a dead pump would only fail to where it could not be heard. I nearly took this pump with me on our trip, but couldn't find it when I looked for it. If I'd have taken it, I'd not have had any issue, though.

Ok, so now back to Leroy's parts. I can't find the fuel level sensor on Leroy's site. I plan to run the fuel out of the tank and remove the sock, just to prevent possible future issues. What is the need for a new fuel level sensor?
 
Have done the sock delete on two trucks. One using Leroys parts 100% and the I just did T with a filter base from Summit. Got the fittings and the filter from Napa. If you are upgrading to an aftermarket lift pump ( in both trucks I went Walbro also from Leroy ) you can use the fitting he sells. http://leroydiesel.com/products/leroys-lift-pump-bypass-kit/ Going this route requires no cutting.
 
SnowDrift said:
What is the need for a new fuel level sensor?
Click to expand...

The OE sensor tends to move slower while full then the lower the fuel the faster it drops to E. My truck tends to go from 1/2 tank to E quicker than from full to 1/2. If it gets to 1/16 of tank I get nervous as I am not sure how fast its going to go to E. I tend to fill up around 1/4 tank or sooner.
 
You have to request this item as his site is not all inclusive. There is no excuse for that, but, it's the way he rolls. He is the only one I know of to offer a bomb proof sensor and it's not even on his site. That is frustrating!!! :mad:

However I have used 2 of them shortly after they became available in 2011 in nasty fuel that ruined injection systems and other GM fuel level sensors. They still work today and are accurate. Due to the 'old design' at "E" I have 10 gal left. Below "E" I have 3-4 gal left and have not run out of fuel yet with it. He has made a change for displayed "accuracy" and that is you cut it to length or send him measurements.

Here you go:

http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/threads/brand-new-release-of-our-metrum-rod-fsu.27370/
http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/threads/metrum-rod-fsu-accuracy.40559/
 
well, I've gotten used to 200 miles on full and then the remaining 200 miles from F to E. I always reset my trip odometer, so I'm on top of it there. Basically, it seems I don't need his upgrade unless I want an accurate gauge?

Chevypoor said:
Have done the sock delete on two trucks. One using Leroys parts 100% and the I just did T with a filter base from Summit. Got the fittings and the filter from Napa. If you are upgrading to an aftermarket lift pump ( in both trucks I went Walbro also from Leroy ) you can use the fitting he sells. http://leroydiesel.com/products/leroys-lift-pump-bypass-kit/ Going this route requires no cutting.
Click to expand...

Like this from Summit? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hht-kf35

If so, how did you find the proper fuel filter?

I like the idea of no cutting, since I'm anal about ability to go back to stock if needed, so the fittings are a must for me.
 
IMG_0810.JPG
This is what I just did on Sat. The filter base I used was this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-1045/overview/
Do not see were the one you suggest would not work. I liked Leroys kit as it was inclusive however I could never get the filter to stop seeping. The oring on the supplied filter in the kit was in the far out board position. This filter has the oring in the about an 1/8+ or so from the outside edge that seemed to seat better on the base. Only time will tell.
 
ak diesel driver said:
Fwiw if your truck won't run without the lp then either your IP is about gone or you still have a fuel issue
Click to expand...
Sometimes the check ball inside the plunger sticks, when this happens no fuel can pass, and it won't run even with a good pump. Most of the pumps that still run but won't pump have a stuck check valve and block fuel flow entirely.
 
There are plenty of cases where LP is purring but not pumping.
Just do a t-valve test as you did and no fuel.

That means the LP is bad.

It is probably not a bad idea to have spare on hand in the toolbox.
 
Delphi pump is the brand that went bad - not complaining since it's been there for over a decade. No idea what the original one is - no tag left on it. Delphi have the check valve, Ferm?

Chevypoor, did that base come with those fittings, or did you have to round those up on your own? I'm curious - why do both your lines go forward from the filter position? Seems like one would go toward the rear.
 
No, the base did not come with those fittings. There are 1/2 NPT to 3/8 NPT bushings with a 3/8 NPT to 3/8 hose barb fitting. Used fuel injection clamps instead of worm drive clamps for added peace of mind. Also used a fuel resistant rtv on all the threads prior to assembly. The filter base has one inlet and one outlet per side. First removed the factory LP. Then installed Leroys fittings on each side of were the lift pump was (the 3/8 supply line). Came off from the inlet side were the LP use to be to the in port on fuel filter base (ffb). Then from the out side of the ffb ran to inlet side of the Walbro. Then ran from the out side of the Walbro to the other side of the fuel line were the LP used to be connecting to Leroys other fitting. Since the ffb is mounted rearward of the LP location one fuel line is running back to supply the ffb and the other is running forward to feed the Walbro.
 
SnowDrift said:
Ok, so now back to Leroy's parts. I can't find the fuel level sensor on Leroy's site. . . . What is the need for a new fuel level sensor?
Click to expand...

Part is known as the MRFSU and not usually listed on Leroy's site. You have to call / E-mail / text him to get one.

It is worth the money as the MRFSU correctly reads the tank level and does not 'accelerate' usage like the OE unit does. Leroy corrected some other issues too.

It is tough getting accustomed to still having ~10 gallons left when the gauge indicates 1/4 :)
 
A new AC Delco EP158 and the two o-rings for the hard lines are in a parts box in each pickup. I try to check fuel PSI every oil change with a guage on the t-valve, and if its low, monitor closely, and plan on changing LP.

I had one completely die on me on the cement pad in front of the shop before I was about to head out to idaho. It was on the 99 C3500.

It was like a trusty dog crapping on the lawn before a road trip. you dont want it to take a crap on the lawn, but you are happy it did it at home base instead of on the road. :)
 
Fuel gauge doesn't bother me, as I mentioned. At this point, it looks like I'm into this for a Walbro pump, and custom fuel fittings from Leroy's site. Debating on the fuel filter base.

PM to Leroy
 
The screen in the Walbro will do the job without the fuel filter base. If you do get a different filter make sure you get a heater of some sort in places you have to shovel heat, err snow... :p
 
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