Trouble... Won't stay running

[6.5dragracer]

well my truck doesn't stay running for very long it cranks up alright it runs for a little bit and then it starts to studder then it just dies...
i can turn it off for a second then crank it right back up then it'll run for a little longer then it'll die again...

 

[DEERE3594]

Do the checklist? fuel filter old? Where is the PMD/FSD? any codes?

 

[96 OILBURNER]

Some 96s came with the OS filter harness, check to see if yours has it, remove it and try again. and as DEERE says, run the checklist.

 

[6.5dragracer]

it doesn't have any codes...
and what is the OS filter harness???
isn't there two fuel filters on these one on the motor and the other on the frame???

 

[6.5dragracer]

well idk if this might help yall or not but she overheated one day and it seems to have started dying since then but i'm not to sure on that cuz i really didn't start driving it that much until now so ur guess is as good as mine???

 

[Gunner0812]

Wheres your PMD located at? When was the last time changed out your fuel filter or lift pump? Have you tried using LUCAS fuel treatment in your tank? It fixed my stalls.

 

[6.5dragracer]

well she did sit for a while on a full tank...
and the fuel filter was change maybe less than 20,000 miles...
lift pump or the IP...
and the pdm is in the original location havn't changed it...

 

[JMJNet]

When a truck sit for a while, there may be water in the fuel.

May want to change the fuel filter, this is the one on the engine.
Stock truck, should not have a fuel filter on the frame, but owner can add one there. What you are thinking is probably the Lift Pump (LP). This is a small cylindrical part right under the driver seat inside the frame.

I agree with Deere to DO the diagnostic to get to know the truck. It has some test that can help you. So we can give better suggestion.

The symptom sounds like bad PMD or LP or water in fuel or air in fuel.

 

[6.5dragracer]

alright...

 

[6.5dragracer]

Problem: Explain your problem in concise language (ie: Cranks but won’t fire).
cranks up then stalls after a few mins.

Demographics: tell us about your truck and your ambient conditions:

- Year:1996
- Truck model and class (ie: c2500) c2500
- Automatic or Standard automatic
- Mileage: (indicate miles or km) 86,000 miles
- Replaced parts and mods (IP, PMD, chip/PCM, TM, injectors etc)IP,fuel filter and i think thats it...
- Model: ‘S’ or ‘F’ engine, NA or Turbo, EGR? ______________
- Ambient outside temp: (indicate *C or *F) yesterday was 109*
- What fuel are you using? (#1 Diesel, #2 Diesel, Bio, VO, WVO, etc) regular diesel sometimes red diesel...
- What fuel additives are you using? red line deisel catalyst
- Where are you located? pasdena, TX

General maintenance: inspect and evaluate the condition of each. When were they last changed?
- Air filter? new
- Fuel filter? 65,000 miles
- CDR Valve? _________
- Coolant – last flushed/replaced at? new
- Oil – synthetic/regular, changed at? new
- Batteries – state of charge, (matched set) replaced at idk there getting pretty bad...
- Battery cables and grounds (removed, cleaned and tightened): idk... never
- Glow Plugs - how many miles on them? 86,000 What type? stock
- Injectors - last changed at? stock

History: (Describe how the problem first appeared.)
- What were you doing when it happened? driving
- How was the truck running fine before this problem appeared? it appeared to but never really drove it very far before...
- Has this problem ever happened before? not that i know of...
- Describe any related factors that might be part of the problem. well the glow plugs might not be workin properly they cicle on and off three or four times before i can crank it up...
- Have you checked for DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)? (Y.N) Y And? nothing


Diagnostics:

1] Starting:
1a] Does the engine start? yes
1b] Does the engine crank over? yes
1c] Are your batteries fully charged? kinda...
1d] Have you removed, cleaned, and tightened all battery connections? no
1e] Does your Wait to Start light come on for a time? How long? yes for like 30 secs to a min....
1f] Does your glow plug light come on? idk For how long? _________
1g] Do you see smoke from the exhaust while cranking? What color? not really cuz its black...

2] Fuel Issues (if not running):
2a] Can you hear your lift pump working? yes
2b] Do you get a steady flow of fuel from the water drain (T-handle) ? huh???
2c] Loosen the inlet line from the IP – is fuel coming out (Lift Pump on)? idk???
2d] Loosen an injector line and crank the engine - does fuel come out? idk???
2e] Do you hear a vacuum (hiss) when you remove the fuel cap? idk???

3] PMD / IP Issues
3a] Location of PMD (on pump, on intake, remote mounted) original location
3b] Condition of Extension harness (if used) Vendor or Homemade? none
3c] Condition of grounds / ground wires to IP / PMD. Check Harness. idk???
3d] PMD Make: stock
3e] PMD Age: 13 years old

4] Stalling Issues
4a] Do you experience stalling only when hot? hot and when its cold...
4b] Does it stall under particular circumstances? (ie hit bump, or on accel) it stalls whenever at idle, accel, turning, stoping it doesn't matter...
4c] Does pouring cool water over the IP seem to help with restarting? idk...
4d] Is stalling momentary (engine recovers)? no engine completly dies and i have to re-start it...
4e] Does SES light come on when engine hiccups? nope
4f] Does cruise control quit working when engine hiccups? idk...
4g] Does re-starting seem to reset engine, restoring cruise and power? it starts up but idk about the cruise...
4h] Changes to dash lights or instruments during stalling events? yeah rpm and oil presure and the volt meter drops a little...

5] Running Issues
5a] On cold start, does upper rad hose get hard before engine warms up? nope
5b] Any bubbles or oil film in coolant overflow tank? nope
5c] Any white slime on oil surfaces (dipstick, CDR, oil Fill cap)? nope
5d] Excessive white smoke from exhaust on cold start? nope
5e] Excessive black smoke from exhaust under hard acceleration? nope

6] Performance Issues
6a] Do you have gauges? not yet
6b] Maximum boost under load? ____________
6c] Have you added a performance PCM (reflash) or Chip? nope
6d] Have you changed exhaust / downpipe / crossover? just 3" straight exaust thats it...
6e] Wastegate – mechanical or vacuum? original

7] Temperature-related Issues:
7a] Single or dual thermostats? single
7b] Have you replaced them lately? Manufacturer of replacements? original
7c] Have you pulled and cleaned Radiator and coolers lately? just flush it and thats it...
7d] Have you replaced the fan clutch? Manufacturer of replacement? electric fans...
7e] (winter) Have you tested your antifreeze? Good to what temp? idk... yet
7f] (winter) Are you using a winter grille cover? nope

 

[HighSierra86]

I would first start with the simple fixes and say replace your fuel filter and clean all grounds. There are quite a few on these trucks that need to be checked and cleaned. Start with this and see if the problem still exists.

 

[6.5dragracer]

well i would need a little help on where the grounds are and how many there are on the truck...
how many on the frame...
how many on the motor...

 

[6.5dragracer]

do you have to like unhook the batteries when you change the fuel filter or what???

 

[JMJNet]

do you have to like unhook the batteries when you change the fuel filter or what???

No, 20k on a filter is a long time. It usually last 10 to 15k. Clean the bowl real good also. There a t-valve on the front, that is the water drain and also use to check the LP. A purring LP does not mean it pumps. There are link to pictures thread on the Technical Library.

The grounds have to be cleaned. Start from the one on the batteries.
Make sure all the positive cables are good.

 

[6.5dragracer]

well here's another ? is it usually uncommon that the lift pump fails...
i mean its the original one...

 

[Matt Bachand]

You are asking a lot of basic knowledge questions that are redundantly covered up top in the stickies section. You need to spend some time up there. You will probably fix your own truck once done.

 

[JMJNet]

x2, one of the line in Technical Library is about LP under "L". Here is what it says:

Lift pump - Common failing part located on the frame rail under the driver's seat. How does it work? here Check it's operation to eliminate fuel supply issues. Some failures of the lift pump may even cause engine codes. See also OPS.

 

[Ratman]

So you sometimes run red fuel? I wonder if your optic sensor in the IP is clouded up?

You need to make absolutely sure your lift pump is working and that you have an adequate supply of fuel at the IP.

Ensuring the IP has a good supply of fuel is the first step to diagnosing. Like a couple of guys have mentioned, -don't rule out contaminated fuel either.

 

[6.5dragracer]

now she doesn't even crank up...
i'm going to take a look at the LP first...

 

[6.5dragracer]

hey if the T valve has fuel coming out will the key is in the forward position doesn't that mean that the LP is working???