1996/7 Chevy Starcraft GT Dayvan 6.5 turbo diesel. Repairs for this problem: New Fuel filter fitted and bled alarm checked and now disarmed.
Question: Hi intermittent starting problem assumed it was a dirty fuel filter after using fuel cleaner in fuel tank? So replaced and bled. Chevy did then start again and run for 20 mins with no problems turned it of and prob re appeared again sometimes wouldn't start at all then will splutters and dies and sometimes will restart again but won't run for long? Changed Fuel filter and bled again. No different. Had alarm checked-no fault. Cracked fuel lines up to engine-fuel there but not at injectors. Have checked fuel stop solenoid and the plunger is pulling in when when power is there. But its as if fuel is not being distributed to the injectors all the time. Lift pump runs as it should alongside glow plug stage. Can't seem to find any airlock problems and have bled lots of times to be sure. Tomorrow it may start right away. But then later not at all. Any ideas. Please. Kind regards Keith. PS- Van does stand more than its driven ?
Answer: Sounds like this may be a hot start fuel problem.
SOME OWNERS OF DIESEL EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY COMMENT ON AN EXTENDED ENGINE CRANKING TIME DURING A HOT RESTART IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF 38 C (100 F), ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING A LOAD. THIS CONDITION NORMALLY WILL OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15-90 MINUTES. IT IS SOMETIMES CALLED A "HOT SOAK".
NO OTHER DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN NOTED AND THE MIL IS NOT ILLUMINATED.VISCOSITY OF THE DIESEL FUEL FOLLOWING A HOT SOAK BECOMES TOO LOW TO BE PROPERLY PRESSURIZED BY THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP ON RESTART DURING THESE PERIODS OF HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES. THIS LOWER PRESSURE IS INSUFFICIENT TO POP THE FUEL INJECTION NOZZLES AND PROPERLY DELIVER FUEL TO THE ENGINE. IF THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 38 C (100 F) OR GREATER, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING A LOAD, CUSTOMERS SHOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO IDLE FOR 5-10 MINUTES PRIOR TO SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS WILL ALLOW THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE TO STABILIZE AND MINIMIZE HOT RESTARTING TIME.
