Why L.O.S.T. CRD'ers are awesome. . .

linewarbr · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:51 pm

Ok, so I have a story to tell, bear with me, for it is long. But, it is about why I am thankful for this website, and the information I've gained here.

My beautiful wife and I just celebrated our fifth anniversary on Friday. To celebrate, we took a cruise last week out of Tampa, Florida. Because we waited too long to book the cruise (my need to be at my job is always subject to change) the best flight we could find was $800 for the both of us. So, we decided to ride the tractor to Tampa instead. (about 11.5 hours from Baton Rouge, LA)

Made it to Tampa okay; I went over everything with a fine-tooth comb before leaving just to acheive peace of mind. However, after enjoying 7 great days in the Carribean, I return to find that I FORGOT TO UNPLUG MY GPS. Battery still had a little juice, since the keyless entry worked and the dash lights all came on, but not enough to overcome the compression in the engine and get it to turn over. Two tries and it wouldn't even crank.

I got a lot attendant with a jumper box to come over, he got enough juice in it to get it to fire, but it wouldn't keep running and quit after 15 seconds or so. After repeated tries to jump the battery, with another box and a car, I decided that the battery had been drained too far and had to be replaced.

So off I went to the nearest auto store open at 10:00 on a Sunday morning, and dropped $225 on an Optima yellow-top since, of course, that was all they carried for my Jeep. I bring it back to the dimly-lit parking garage and proceed to remove the old one and replace it with a crescent wrench multi-tool I keep in my console. "OK," I think, "We'll still be home by 9:00 tonight."

Crank, crank, crank; nothing. At this point I'm almost ready to put it in neutral and roll it off the ledge. Cursing and foaming at the mouth, I start thinking about the cost of getting to the airport, booking a last minute flight to get home, and what it would cost me to have it shipped back to Baton Rouge from Tampa for the repair. Money is a little tight after just dropping so much on the vacation - but hey, you do what you gotta do, right?

While I'm sitting there holding my breath and counting to ten, I think about the fuel. Now, I do not have a lift pump, but I have never had a problem with the fuel head through two filter changes. No hesitation, stumble, hard starting, nothing. But, because of what I read here, I decide to get out and try pumping the fuel system.

The first 8 or 9 pumps were very soft, it didn't feel like there was any resistance. So I pumped about 15 or so more times, and decided to try it. Turned the key, and - voila - it started right up. I had a check engine light for 400 or so miles (I was thinking about mackruss at this point) but it went off after we stopped in Pensacola for dinner. We made it home safe last night and a very tired Jeep owner got up and went to work this morning. My best guess is that the drained battery got just enough juice in it to fire and run a little, but not enough to operate the pump efficiently enough for it to suck fresh fuel in. So I basically ran out the fuel available in the rail and the line from the filter, and then - nothing. Either that or it sat too long and fuel drained back to the tank out of the line.

So why did I write this book of a post? Because if it were not for this site, I would never have thought about what that plunger-button on the fuel filter assembly is for. I would have gotten raped by a dealer or a towing/ hotshot service to get my Jeep back home because I was at the limit with my available diagnostic ability, lighting, and tools. That MORE than justifies the pittance they ask for to become a Lifetime Member.

Also, I now know what my next mod will be: a lift pump.

bugnout · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:00 pm

Good post, glad it all ended well.

You will notice that a lift pump definitely improves starting. :wink:

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:00 pm

I am very glad you made it back safe and didn't have to unload and cash on towing or out of town repairs. this place is sure a wellspring of knowelege about Jeeps.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:43 am

linewarbr wrote:

My best guess is that the drained battery got just enough juice in it to fire and run a little, but not enough to operate the pump efficiently enough for it to suck fresh fuel in. So I basically ran out the fuel available in the rail and the line from the filter, and then - nothing. Either that or it sat too long and fuel drained back to the tank out of the line.

The OE gearoter lift pump does not run on 12 volts. It is directly driven from the injection pump. You had the fuel drain back down the line due to a very small air leak.
Glad that you had a fun vacation with the wife.

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:23 pm

linewarbr wrote:

Also, I now know what my next mod will be: a lift pump.

I'm with you LW,we can plan a work day.
What do you say about asking Santa for a lift pump?

Good story,glad it worked out for you,and look on the bright side,you got a Yellow top out of the deal. :wink:

Silverdiesel · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:54 pm

Wow
Parallel story but happy ending- Bought Jeep in Aug 07 and went on a Mexican Rivera cruise in Sept 07 and at that time NOOO mods of any kind. But after sitting in a parking lot in San Pedro, California for nine days- KJ fired right up!! We were 450 miles away from home in Phoenix.

Roland

nescosmo · **Joined:** Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:17 pm **Posts:** 202

I will like to tell you that the easier way is to install a Master E8012S Fuel Pump. Only cost about $30.00 and it works. I have one for about a year and ever since my issues went away. (you can buy it at Auto Zone)

Good lock.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:57 am

KJ 119 wrote:

linewarbr wrote:

Also, I now know what my next mod will be: a lift pump.

I'm with you LW,we can plan a work day.
What do you say about asking Santa for a lift pump?

Good story,glad it worked out for you,and look on the bright side,you got a Yellow top out of the deal. :wink:

I'm down, Bub. Your expertise in all things electrical would be a priceless asset to a lift pump install. Maybe a dual install? I bet with all the wheeling you do it would benefit your Jeep a lot to have the lift pump. Maybe we can talk shagster into one as well. . .

And, although it may be wishful thinking, The Jeep seems to start and run better now with the yellow top. Or maybe it's just the dent in my pocketbook made it lighter, so it's running better with less weight. :wink:

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:58 am

KJ 119 wrote:

linewarbr wrote:

Also, I now know what my next mod will be: a lift pump.

I'm with you LW,we can plan a work day.
What do you say about asking Santa for a lift pump?

Good story,glad it worked out for you,and look on the bright side,you got a Yellow top out of the deal. :wink:

I'm down, Bub. Your expertise in all things electrical would be a priceless asset to a lift pump install. Maybe a dual install? I bet with all the wheeling you do it would benefit your Jeep a lot to have the lift pump as well. Maybe we can talk shagster into one as well. . .

And, although it may be wishful thinking, The Jeep seems to start and run better now with the yellow top. Or maybe it's just the dent in my pocketbook made it lighter, so it's running better with less weight. :wink:

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:01 am

KJ 119 wrote:

linewarbr wrote:

Also, I now know what my next mod will be: a lift pump.

I'm with you LW,we can plan a work day.
What do you say about asking Santa for a lift pump?

Good story,glad it worked out for you,and look on the bright side,you got a Yellow top out of the deal. :wink:

I'm down, Bub. Your expertise in all things electrical would be a priceless asset to a lift pump install. Maybe a dual install? I bet with all the wheeling you do it would benefit your Jeep a lot to have the lift pump. Maybe we can talk shagster into one as well. . .

And, although it may be wishful thinking, The Jeep seems to start and run better now with the yellow top. Or maybe it's just the dent in my pocketbook made it lighter, so it's running better with less weight. :wink:

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:01 am

KJ 119 wrote:

linewarbr wrote:

Also, I now know what my next mod will be: a lift pump.

I'm with you LW,we can plan a work day.
What do you say about asking Santa for a lift pump?

Good story,glad it worked out for you,and look on the bright side,you got a Yellow top out of the deal. :wink:

I'm down, Bub. Your expertise in all things electrical would be a priceless asset to a lift pump install. Maybe a dual install? I bet with all the wheeling you do it would benefit your Jeep a lot to have the lift pump. Maybe we can talk shagster into one as well. . .

And, although it may be wishful thinking, The Jeep seems to start and run better now with the yellow top. Or maybe it's just the dent in my pocketbook made it lighter, so it's running better with less weight. :wink:

tonycrd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:23 pm

Wow...quadruple post...

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:29 pm

tonycrd wrote:

Wow...quadruple post...

It hung up when I clicked "Submit", but I didn't think it would do that! Is that a new record for a server hiccup?

FormerlyBankNote4x4 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:42 pm

Without the contributers to this site my CRD would have been another trade in and contributer my financial downward spiral. With this site I have spent so much money maintaining, replacing parts, diagnosing issues, fixing problems that weren't problems and eventually ones that were, that I'm not sure it's saving me money, yet :oops:

However, the lessons I've learned have put me in a position to not have to rely on "professional" mechanics and the money generating systems they work for. And that is priceless, to me, and will pay off big eventually. Heck, I'm even a better forum communicator because of LOST :lol:

Josh

Big Montana · **Posted:** Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:23 pm

I have not performed any mods yet on my 05, and I have had it since it was a babe (51 miles old I think) I have had the recall work done though.

I do love this site, but it does make me want to do things to my KJ that are not needed yet.

scooter_scum · **Posted:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:11 pm

Yup, just happened to me. 16 year old left the lights on last night. Amazing it started. She pulled out of the drive way and the engine died. Not enough juice to turn it over again.

Charged the battery and turned it over. It ran for about 4 seconds and died. Then it would turn over but no hint of trying to start.

Flashed on this post and pumped the primer on the fuel filter housing and Bam - fired up. Died again, more pumping, started and revved it to clear out the air in the line.

I love this forum! And many more....

shaggyislandboy · **Posted:** Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:50 pm

linewarbr wrote:

...lift pump. Maybe we can talk shagster into one as well. . .

I'm listening LW!

I missed the last work day, would really like to make the next.

Scott

Wobbly · **Posted:** Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:18 pm

Have there been reports of non-starting due to air lock after installing the new style fuel filter head? If not, I'd skip the lift pump.

Why L.O.S.T. CRD'ers are awesome. . .

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