ISX hard to start rough idle.

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Trouble65, Nov 23, 2010.

  1. Trouble65

    Trouble65 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 11, 2009
    Ontario Canada
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    I wonder if anyone had a similar problem.

    I have a 2004 Volvo with 450 ISX Cummins.
    It took me 3 hours this morning in cold weather to start. I replacedthe fuel filter just in case. During the fuel filter removal I noticed that the fuel was very dark almost black in colour.

    However the fuel in the tank is normal diesel colour.
    When I turn the ignition on I can hear the electric prime pump kind of gurgeling, like it does not have enough fuel.
    The only way I could get her going is by using eather.

    Once she started she had a very rough idle basically bouncing from 600-900 rpm. As the engine got warmer the rough idle faded away.

    I took her for a spin and in high range when I hit the accelerator there was a puff of black smoke out of the stacks for about a second and then it cleared up.

    After driving a while I did not get any more black smoke out of the stacks.
    However when I was picking some products from a Truck parts store she started to get this rough idle again. Once on the road Same thing, I hit the accelerator and same black smoke. After a few miles she was running smooth again and no smokes out of the stack.

    When I got back to the yard I shut her off for about 10 min. I tried to start the engine again and with no luck for about 5 seconds. The engine was turning over very fast but she would not fire. After a couple more tries she started to catch and fired up and once running she had a rough idle. It seems to be loosing it's prime.

    To me it sounds like a bad injector. Tomorrow morning I am going to go underneath and see if there is any leaks on the fuel lines.
    Also no check engine light comes on.

    Any suggestions would be appriciated.
     
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  3. Izlomik Supatrucka

    Izlomik Supatrucka Light Load Member

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    Oct 24, 2009
    Texas
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    last company truck i drove had a 500 ISX it did this it would surge also it turned out to be a crack
    in the fuel pump housing or something and was getting air in the lines.....engine ran real strong and
    pulled really good but i never did like how the truck cranked even after they replaced the cracked fuel pump
    it still turned over way too much IMO before it would crank and when it would crank just didnt sound smooth
     
  4. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    How cold was it?
     
  5. Trouble65

    Trouble65 Medium Load Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    About 38F in the morning and by noon 65F
     
  6. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Not cold enough for your fuel to be gelling... that was my first thought.
     
  7. rhino3hh

    rhino3hh Bobtail Member

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    Jan 25, 2010
    Jamestown, NM
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    sounds like the rail pump
     
  8. CaliforniaOvernight

    CaliforniaOvernight Light Load Member

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    May 14, 2010
    Pacific Grove, CA
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    When your description sounds like it is more serious for just fuel lift pump sucking air during priming - it might be worth mentioning, that those pumps suck in general and failing often causing rough starts/idleing and fuel leaking from the internal rubber gaskets (which you can't buy anymore). $314 pump plus $11 metal gasket
     
  9. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Borispol, Ukraine
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    I start with fuel pressure monitoring. May be fuel pump, may be filters...
     
  10. Trouble65

    Trouble65 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 11, 2009
    Ontario Canada
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    New pump installed in January/February of this year. However being new does not mean it can't fail.

    I'm going to crawl underneath and have a good look.
    Will keep all up to date.
     
  11. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    We had one like this not long ago, found rear metering solenoid was bad.
     
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