3rd freeze of the winter; motor cut off hard?

Steevo · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:28 am

Hi all,

I'm probably 15k into my new timing kit, rockers, EGR delete, CAC hoses, etc and have had no real issues until an hour ago. My morning commute is approximately 40 miles.

In the winter, I go outside and start the Jeep up about 10 minutes before I need to leave to give it some time to warm up. This morning it started up fine (my glow plugs work well) and barely clattered despite the temperature being somewhere around 20F.

I made it about a half mile down the road before the motor just shut down and coasted to a stop (I put it in neutral and turned off the key as soon it stopped running). I let the Jeep sit for about 30 seconds then tried cranking it; no weird noises, motor turned smoothly, and after about 15 revolutions the motor clattered back to life. It ran roughly for about 10 seconds (as if there was air in the fuel), then smoothed out and made the short drive back home with no issues.

I left the Jeep parked at home and took my old Dodge Dakota (nearly 300k on the original 3.9!) into work. In my rush to get to work I did not notice if the Liberty had thrown any codes.

Anyone have any thoughts? I had a full tank of fuel, my fuel head was replaced about a year ago, and there was zero smoke in this entire process.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:58 am

Did you try hand pumping the filter head?
Air in fuel is the most likely cause. Otherwise check for codes.

Steevo · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:16 am

Popped the hood once I got home yesterday. I found the problem as soon as I tried to prime the system. Somehow my fuel filter had come loose to the point that I could turn it with one finger, and fuel was dribbling down the side of the filter when I pushed in the pump. I screwed the filter on firmly, pumped the primer a few times, and the motor cranked right up and ran fine on the way into work this morning.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:43 am

Was the filter changed recently? If so was the inner gasket removed? If not you have 2inner gaskets stacked and the filter will not tighten properly or stay tight

Steevo · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:44 am

It has been over a year since it was changed. I could swear that the old gasket got removed, but I will remove it completely and check. Seems unlikely that it would go this long without a problem though.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 09, 2016 6:20 pm

I had a pin hole in my fuel line between the filter and the HPFP. It only showed itself in the cold, where I would have an issue. But, mine would cut off in a few seconds. I finally found it when I hand pumped the snot out of it and got a fine spray of fuel.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Jan 10, 2016 12:15 pm

Add an in-tank or inline fuel pump if you can, any fuel leak of any kind will be found very quickly. Ask me how I know! :roll:

With a positive pressure fuel feed system; if you smell diesel fuel and / or see any fuel wetness anywhere, you have found a leak!
Any fitting, hose crack or pinhole, or gasket leaking will be self evident very quickly after going to a positive pressure feed system.
Any leak found was air leaking into fuel system prior to installing an in-tank or in-line fuel pump. :wink:

Hands down, one of the best mods available that our Jeeps should have came from the factory with the in-tank pump from the start!!!! :furious:

3rd freeze of the winter; motor cut off hard?

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