Fuel gauges are especially important when you're on the highway and the exit ramps are limited. I personally believe half full should be treated as "almost empty" so that one is at least beginning to pay attention. Nevertheless, it happens. If you're distracted, for whatever reason, when that first wheezing occurs you know you're in trouble. What do you do?
This summer K.J. Jones wrote an article on the Truck Trend Network addressing this issue.
He begins by pointing out that technological advances these past two decades have eliminated some of the former hands-on procedures for dealing with this situation, such as manually priming the fuel system. Even so, if you do run out of fuel, the first thing you need to know is what NOT to do. That is, don't try to start the engine on empty, Jones says, because injectors and other parts can be damaged when there's a lack of lubrication.
Actually, he doesn't promise a lot of detail here in this article, but it's information that diesel owners should be aware of, foremost being that the task can be messy and is more than inconvenient.
Putting fuel in the tank is the first step. Unfortunately, that isn't the end of it. You're not going to be able to start the engine again after you refuel because there's air in the lines.
The next step, logically, is to bleed the lines and injectors, a task not too unlike bleeding your brakes. You'll likely want to have your owners manual handy to locate the bleed screws, especially if you have never done that before on this vehicle. Have a few rags handy as well as a bottle to collect the priming fluid.
BLUE FLAME TIP: If you're a rookie on bleeding air from your lines, there are diesel forums for every make of engine listed here in the right hand column. You can find the help you need by doing a search. For example, here's what I found at the Diesel Hub when I asked about bleed procedures for a 6.5 diesel fuel system: https://www.dieselhub.com/maintenance/6.5-diesel-fuel-system-bleed-procedures.html
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The Jones article has some helpful photos, but keep in mind that vehicles are not uniform. The Truck Trend article aims to get you thinking in the right direction, though. The next steps are up to you.
Here's the Link:
http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/how-to-start-a-diesel-engine-when-it-runs-out-of-fuel
If a diesel-powered truck runs out of fuel, it will not restart after you have obtained some diesel and put it in the tank. A diesel will not pull the fuel from the tank to the engine if the fuel line is full of air. You must first prime the engine with fuel before attempting a successful restart.
ReplyDeleteLook in the owner's manual for the location of the fuel primer pump and bleed screw. The pump and screw will be located somewhere near the fuel filter on the engine. The primer pump will be a large push button, rubber bulb or small lever.
Loosen the bleed screw a couple of turns. The loose bleed screw allows the air to leave the fuel line as the fuel is pulled from the fuel tank to the fuel filter.
Pump the primer pump until diesel fuel comes out of the loose bleed screw. The primer pump is very small and your fuel line may have a lot of air, so be ready to pump for five to 10 minutes before you see fuel coming out of the bleed screw.
Tighten down the bleed screw with the screwdriver.
Attempt to start the engine normally. You may need to crank the engine for 10 to 15 seconds before it starts and runs. If the engine does not start within 15 seconds of cranking, repeat the priming process to get more fuel into the fuel filter and pump.