Lost prime...

[Automobilist]

Changed the fuel filter on my 3126B. Now it seems it's lost prime and won't start...

• Full filter of fuel
• Pressurized fuel tank w/compressed air
• No prime pump installed / single filter installed
• Both filter gaskets on correctly
• cranked for 30 seconds multiple times
• Rear end sitting lower than front
• Ran perfectly prior to filter change

Suggestions?

Ed

[OneRVer]

Are you sure that on top of your fuel filter housing that there is not a little round knob. I thought that came as a standard. May be wrong. But you should have a little round knob. Turn about one full turn to the left. Pull up and push down until you can't pump no more. Then push down, turn right until tight. Should start. If you don't have one, get one. Good luck.

[Automobilist]

Nope, no primer pump... The Journey's have a single filter remotely mounted.

[w6pea]

Try loosing the number one injector....then crank the starter until you have fuel coming up. Tighten it down then fire it off I had a problem with a 3406 Cat once couldn't get it to prime with the little hand pump for priming. did that the motor started idled like it wanted to die for about 5 mins but then it ran like a R@@%& Ape.


If We Can't Haul It!....You Don't Need It! Motor-T

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRVer Are you sure that on top of your fuel filter housing that there is not a little round knob. I thought that came as a standard. May be wrong. But you should have a little round knob. Turn about one full turn to the left. Pull up and push down until you can't pump no more. Then push down, turn right until tight. Should start. If you don't have one, get one. Good luck.

My primer pump is hard to miss as it sits directly above the filter. Your description for using the pump is "right on"

Here's a pic of the primer pump on my 3126E!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/...17e10ffb_z.jpg

[336muffin]

Ed, have you removed the fuel filters and double checked that the O rings look OK? Make sure you removed the old gasket(O ring) before placing the new one on. If the filters are the only change, it should also be the problem.

[1ciderdog]

Ed
Did you fill the filter before putting it on? If not you probably have a lot of air to get past the pump & injectors. If you did not fill it I'd suggest you do fill it trying to get the fuel into the filter through the outter ring of holes. Mine also does not have a primer pump so I'd suggest following w6pea's suggestion of cracking open fuel line and cranking to get the air out of the system. I used to bleed the fuel systems on four different diesels by loosening the line(s) until fuel came out without air bubbles.
Safe Travels
Bob

[Automobilist]

Yep, double checked filter o-rings. It shouldn't be sucking air. Will probably try loosening a couple injectors when I get home from work.

[Chuck 1935]

Please let us know what it was when you get it running, Ed

[w6pea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist Yep, double checked filter o-rings. It shouldn't be sucking air. Will probably try loosening a couple injectors when I get home from work.

Ed

Only loosen the number one injector. Been there done that too. Only the Number 1 injector.

If We Can't Haul It....You Don't Need It ! Motor-T

[Automobilist]

I may be especially dense tonight, but it sure looks like there aren't six injectors entering the head. At least not like on my Chevy truck or old Mercedes 300D. I did pull the fuel line going into what I think is the pump, and it flowed right out. It looks like the fuel goes from the pump into the head in a single line. I'll dig into it again when I get home tomorrow evening... May try the ether method.

[Family Time]

I put the filters on dry and suck the air out of the system at the pipe plug fitting on the top of the secondary filter housing. Starts right up every time. I use a vacuum fluid extractor, you can get at most parts stores for pulling coolant or oil out of an engine.

I,m in Vista and your welcome to use mine if you like.

Good Luck, John

[Martind4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist May try the ether method.

Did you mean ETHER like the pressurized stuff in a can? If so, DON'T USE IT, your engine has a grid heater for cold starts (no glow plugs) and using ether to start your engine could cause big, big problems. Think explosion and/or fire.

If you don't believe me, call the Freightliner Help Line and ask them, better yet ask for Mike Cody the trainer for Camp Freightliner.

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist May try the ether method.

DO NOT USE ETHER. the pre heater could cause a very unpleasent BOOM.

USE WD 40 instead.

Sorry, Martind4 for dulicating your post on the ether.