Author Topic: No Prime? (Read 4388 times)

bubbahenrie · « **on:** July 04, 2007, 07:38:38 am »

I just replace the head gasket on my 1.6 (non-turbo) diesel. I have had it started but it will only idle for a few seconds before it quits. Seems like it is loosing it's prime. I put a squeeze bulb in the fuel line and as the engine begins to quit I can squeeze the bulb and get a few more seconds of idle, but it will eventually quit regardless.

Any ideas here guys?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2007, 07:54:46 am »

How long have you been trying to start it for?

When I did my head gasket I had to crank for 10 minutes before it would keep running. I didn't crank continually, crank, wait, crank wait.

It'd be best if you could push it in gear

bubbahenrie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:03:01 am »

Off and on for over 30 minutes. I would crank for maybe 5 seconds and it would fire, idle for 10 - 15 seconds then quit. I repeated that many times like i said for over 30 minutes. Starter was pretty warm so I quit.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:09:25 am »

when you get it going give it a bunch of throttle to work out any air. always seems to work for me... crack injectors too to be sure.

bubbahenrie · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:16:22 am »

Tried that, it still dies. I think I'm going to replace the fuel hose, I might have a pin hole somewhere that is sucking air.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:21:14 am »

as a reference... if i mess with the fittings on my fuel filter i can usually get a couple bubbles to get in the lines, and while running, as the bubbles reach the pump there is either only a momentary stutter, or no change in idle. if you have a clear line going into the injection pump and you don't see a lot of air in the line, i doubt that it is a leak from the lines leading to the injection pump.

bubbahenrie · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:27:01 am »

I do not have a clear hose but believe I will get one. Kind of Ironic but I work for a Canadian based (Manitoba) company here in Texas.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2007, 08:29:58 am »

good idea. if you hit a junkyard you might be able to grab an OE line/fittings for cheap. as an alternative, you could put some clear line in a gas can full of diesel, and get a fitting on the other end of the clear line so it can hook up to the injection pump, then at least you can test it to see if it still runs like that when there is no air in the lines. i like having the clear line so i'd try to install that permanently.