CRD suddenly died...Bad Fuel or other problem?

BobFarley · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 5:55 pm

My CRD just all of the sudden died...after having it towed about 20 miles on a flat bed it was unloaded and I cranked it just to see...fired right up. I'm thinking probably a fuel filter clogged and the bouncing on the ride shook some crude loose so fuel could get through. I installed a brand new fuel filter before driving again...fired right up and I thought problem solved. Well until it died again suddenly about 20 miles or so after the filter was replaced.

I'm a little stumped here...seems to run for a little bit after it sits but then will just up and die and not restart even if you prime it. I loosened the bleeder valve primed it with the button, ran out some fuel, then had a buddy open valve while a cranked on it...nothing came out the bleeder valve.

Any suggestions? Could the problem be algae in the fuel? Is the fuel pump going bad? I'm stumped here fellas so any thoughts or advice is very welcomed. I'm going to cut the old fuel filter open to see if its green and slimy...

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 6:14 pm

if no CEL, and sometime with a CEL -
as long as it not metallic rattling

first response is always let it sit a minute and retry.
if it starts - odds are it's some kind of fuel problem

what kind - depends
have you changed the filter recently?
did you fill up and a new station recently?
while pumping - was the pump running really really slow?

do you have to old style fuel head?
do you have a lift pump?

did someone help you and fill it up with Gas?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:45 am

You say you "loosened the bleeder valve primed it". If you did exactly that all you did was push/pull air out and back into the system. You bleed, see Sam's NOOB guide video, the fuel system just like any other pressurized system such as brakes. Push primer bulb until hard, crack bleeder valve (I'm fond of a piece of clear vinyl tube on the valve running to a catch container so I can see what comes out and catch the mess); close valve; repeat until no air comes out. Keep in mind the fuel pump is in front of (e.g. between the filter and the engine) so if you crank the engine with the bleeder valve open all you are doing is sucking air into the system.

So my bet/guess is you have air in the system possibly enough that you need to remove the fuel rail return line, don't ask me how, and prime until a good bit of fuel comes out of that line to purge the fuel rail.

If you have a 1s gen fuel filter head replace it (see end of Sam's bleeding video to see a 2n gen head). FYI new head (be sure the get the wiring pigtail) comes with new filter and WIF installed, save your old WIF just in case.

maxwellp · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:50 am

First good bet is air in the fuel and if you have the old filter head and it is bad you will never get it out. Replace with the new style and see if you are fixed. Would need to be done anyway.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

If you don't have new style fuel head, consider it or a RACOR (I'm a big fan of the racor...perfect drop in) and by all means, get yourself a lift pump. You'll love how faster the engine starts and improved engine responsiveness that occurs with the addition of a lift pump.

BobFarley · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:16 pm

OK update on status...still not right...same as as above and I've upgraded the to the Rancor fuel head.

Installed the Rancor primed until fuel and no air came out, then drove about 10 miles parked it for about an hour. fired it up drove about 1 mile and it died. Then bleed the filter head which DID have air in it...cranked it and it immediately started. drove about 1/2 mile died again...then towed it back home. When it dies there's no stumble it just straight stalls and won't restart without sitting for at least a few.

Obviously its getting air in some where. Will a lift pump near the tank solve the problem or should I be looking to install an in tank system like some have discussed? Is there anything else I should be checking?

msilbernagel · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:53 pm

The fuel pump may fix it incidentally, but it is unusual to have so much air entering the system. If you don't identify and fix the problem they could remain to plague you afterwards.

My best guess would be a problem with the pickup (in-tank), or at the junction between the tank and the steel lines that carry the fuel to the engine compartment.

The in-tank problem would take care of itself if you install the in-tank pump from the Dodge Ram trucks..

Otherwise - installing a pump may or may not be successful at masking the underlying problem.

Mark

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:38 pm

I would have a hard look at my injectors and the lines going to them maybe even the CP3. DO you have any codes that show up when this happens? And do you off road the KJ and if so what kind of enviroment ussually mud, rock, wood trails?

CRD suddenly died...Bad Fuel or other problem?

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