Diesel guys

[Sharpie]

I know it's a bad thing to run out of gas with a diesel engine, but my neighbor managed to do it.

Any tricks for getting a 90 something Ford pickup running again after running out? Thanks!

[MadMerv]

Fill up the tank???????? :)

[Dave04]

Well... if he only ran out of GAS he should be fine...

But seriously, you'll need to bleed air out of the fuel lines between the lift pump and the injector pump at a minimum. Worst case, you'll also need to bleed the air out of the high pressure lines between the injector pump and the cylinder.

If you give me the exact year, we can probably find an online "how to"...

[channelmaniac]

And he may need to replace the fuel filter as all the crap in the bottom of the tank got sucked through it.

[MiataMike]

those older Ford Diesels also don't have electronic fuel pumps they are mechanical. You will probably need to prime the intake somehow.

[cam76034]

Can of starter fluid, one person cranks while the other one sprays a shot every so often into intake, just enough to keep it running. Fuel pump will eventually get the diesel up to the injectors and it will run on its own. Shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

I've run out of diesel too many times on my tractor to go through the exercise of bleeding the air out the system the old fashioned way.

[Nexus Flux]

^ Ether works pretty well too, we used to use it on cold days on the Hummers and 5 tons (bonus: you get a free buzz)

[HudsonHawk]

I thought the old ford injectors were hydraulically opereated by the fuel line preassure. Same as the cummins before the ISB. If thats the case the only way to get the air out of the line is to crack open each line and purge the air. Otherwise there was not enough hydraulic preassure to open the injector.

[Rogue]

I have run out in the Banks Turbo F-350 and after filling it up, just cranked in short sessions. After a few it usually would fire up.

I agree with the new fuel filter, diesel is some nasty schitt.

[cam76034]

Starter fluid = ether.

[Sharpie]

Thanks guys. I'll pass this info along and find out what year it is, etc. when he gets off work. I appreciate it!

[Sharpie]

I talked to his wife and she said it's a 96' and I'm pretty sure it says Powerstroke on the fender. Thanks again!

[Radio-Active]

At least with the Mercedes and Isuzu diesels, they had a hand method for priming the fuel lines up to the filter and pump. On my old Isuzu it was a push pump on top of the filter housing. The Mecedes had a knob you turned.

[creek]

Our Catapillar engines you have to remove the fuel filter and fill it up then hand pump the plunger on top of the filter !600! times. Note to self: Don't run out of fuel.

[HudsonHawk]

I just turn the key and let the electric pump do its magic.

[cam76034]

So did your neighbor get it back up and running?