98' HRE Hard To Start

[jimemeone]

Not a big problem yet but twice in 7 months(second time yesterday)(full timing over 4,000 miles driven since Oct.) after driving from RV park to RV park, and after checking in, the RV was hard to start. It usually just stars first time with the turn of the key(Cummings 275hp/107,000 miles/oil and filter changed before starting full timing). So is there anything I should be looking at, never owned a diesel, and also is there a method to get it started(petal to the floor/pump petal/etc.).
Thanks in advance for all replies,
Jim

[vito.a]

Jim, neeed more info on "hard to start". Does it crank, but not fire up, or does it not crank over?
Also, Cummins has two different engines in the 275hp range, the 5.9L ISB and the larger 8.3L ISC. They are very similar except for the size.


First, I want to make sure you are letting it idle to cool down the turbo before shutting it down. Turbo chargers run literally red hot and need idle time to cool down before shutting the engine off.


If it does not crank over, then its either the battery or the starter or something in between. Have them tested.
If it cranks over, but does not fire then its usually fuel related. Diesels do not have an ignition system (spark plugs and wires). I would change the fuel filters. On most engines there are two filters, a large water separator usually mounted near but not on the engine and a small on engine filter. If that doesn't fix it, then take it to Cummins.

[veraken]

Had the same problem on our last trip. Turned out to be air in the fuel line. Changed fuels filters, and everything was fine from there.

[jimemeone]

I am a full timing nubie and trying to learn how to do simple maintenance while on the road and though I am not shy about picking up a wrench I don't want to get myself into any trouble. So I normally put the MH into neutral for 3/5 minutes before shutting it off, is that enough time(like I poster it has only happened twice in 7 months)? As far as changing out the fuel filters, Youtube videos on the 5.9 (usually showing pickup's not MH's) make it seem pretty simple but are there any step by step to getting them changed out and engine restarted ?
Thanks for the responses,
Jim 98' HRE 37'

[RamiDav]

Jim

We still don't know what happens when it doesn't start
Does the engine spin or does it not do anything ?

Letting the engine idle a few minutes is a good idea but probably is not related
to not starting .
Here's why we let them idle a few min , as stated by Vito your turbo runs extremely
hot ( red hot ) when at hiway speed
The bearings inside the turbo are lubricated by engine oil
So if you come off the hiway and shut the engine down with out allowing a
few minutes to cool down , the oil in those bearings can coke ( solidify ) and
lead to a turbo failure .
Traveling down the service rd a few mi at city speed will suffice for cooling down

Changing filters is pretty straight forward , here's what I do on my 03 Windsor ISL
I have 2 filters , primary and secondary mounted just inside the rear engine
compartment .
I don't prefill my filters , instead I cycle the ign sw on about 6 times and let the elect
lift pump fill them .
The lift pump will run then stop , then I cycle it again .
I start the engine after the 1st filter and let it run a few minutes , then do
the 2nd filter .
You can prefill the filters by pouring diesel into the small holes , not the
center hole , this makes sure the fuel passes through the filter before
it can get to the pump or injectors .
Some people get a plastic pipe nipple to screw into the center hole ,
this makes it easier to fill the filter .

Ray