I haven't posted recently because I wanted to only report if and when the "fix" actually worked.
I returned the Jeep to the dealer once again because it did not start, same as before: cranks great, but nary a pop. A code was thrown illuminating the check engine light.
The dealer read that the code showed a problem with the Mass Airflow Sensor, and said that Jeep says that this can cause a crank-but-no-start problem. The truck has 104K miles on it, and since the "official" Jeep dealer notes say that this can cause the problem, I told them to change it. I took the truck back, and it started up great for about 2-3 days, then the same symptom occurred: cranks beautifully, but no start. Towed the jeep back to the dealer (thank God for AAA Gold!!!!).
The dealer said that I still had the old fuel filter head, and once again, their service manual says that this can cause the problem. While my filter head did not have any melted plastic around the heater plug on the head, I OK'd the change. They did cut me a break on the service fees, charging for the part only and no charge for the labor.
BTW, the mechanic did notice that before he changed the filter head, the active ODB codes shown while cranking showed NO fuel pressure in the high-pressure side of the fuel pump when it refused to start. That's also why he felt it might be the filter head. He changed to the new design, and I took the truck back; it ran fine for a few weeks, and then, same deal: cranking, no starting.
After reading posts on this forum, I wondered if it could be air in the fuel line. I did notice that when it's hard to start, the primer pump atop the fuel filter head goes soft.
I decided to install a lift pump as some here have done. I needed a quick(er) fix and had no time or energy to install an in-tank pump, or even a lift pump AT the tank. I tried to buy one of the Facet cube pumps which some here have used successfully, but the best I could do was a "Mr Gasket" model 12D lift pump. I installed a clear plastic filter before the new pump, wired the pump to the "Fuel Prime Pump" relay, and plumbed the outlet of the new pump to the fuel filter head inlet.
After installing the pump and bleeding the fuel filer via the bleed screw atop the filter head, the truck started instantly. As some have reported, I also noticed that the engine ran quieter with less clatter and responded faster to the throttle than before.
My joy was short-lived, however, as the no-start condition returned after a few days of driving. This time, I noticed that there was a lot of bubbles mixed with the fuel spurting out of the bleeder fitting atop the filter head. Once all the air was out, the Jeep eventually started.
So this tells me that the problem is actually air getting into the fuel, probably from the hokey push-on quick connect fuel fittings. I believe that if I had an in-tank pump, this wouldn't happen as the fuel is being pushed, not sucked, toward the filter.
My question to you experts out there:
1. Where are these "quick connect" fittings located? 2. How do I eliminate them from my fuel lines? A few on this forum just stated "bypass them", but gave no specifics. Are the fuel lines plastic? Steel with a barbed end? Steel with quick connect steel fittings? Plastic fittings?
Here's hoping that someone out there knows these answers and will be specific about how to fix these fuel air leaks.
_________________ Bob
2006 Liberty Limited CRD
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