Detroit won't start when cold????

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Beethoven, Jan 15, 2013.

  1. Beethoven

    Beethoven Light Load Member

    174
    53
    May 3, 2010
    Cincinnati, OH
    0
    I have a detroit 60 series 12.7. It is in an 2003 Freightliner XL classic. This engine was great until I let it sit over Christmas for about a week. It got rather cold here and when I went to start up it would not fire. It cranks good but just would not fire. So I used starting fluid and have had to do so ever since. I replaced three fuel lines that were worn and bypassed two fuel shut off valves back under the cab. Still it just cranks.

    Once I get it started it runs great and strong. I can shut it off for up to two hours and it will start right back up. But after it three hours or more of not running it will not start.

    I had my mechanic check the check valve on the back of the engine and he says it is good. Now he wants to pull the injectors out and check them. I stopped him there and said it runs great, i don't think it is an injector.

    Can anyone tell me why this engine is losing it's prime? No air bubbles in the fuel filter globe anymore (that was the reason for getting rid of the fuel shut off valves), new fuel lines, and no shut off valves. Could it really be the injectors?

    Thanks

    B
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

    15,317
    210
    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
    0
    some engines are more cold blooded then others
    detriots are the usual suspects
    older engines with less compression are also main contributors
    might not be anything but an old trired engine that likes starting fluid

    if previous owner used it has probably washed down the cylinders
    reducing compression and a bottle of ether and acceptance is the answer
     
  4. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

    3,640
    4,959
    Oct 10, 2006
    NC
    0
    There is a check valve on the back of the Davco fuel filter where the inlet line hooks up. It screws into the filter base and the fuel line screws into it. They can go bad, and I have seen junk from the tank get stuck in them and hold the valve seat open. This will cause your problem.

    Davco.jpg
     
    Beethoven Thanks this.
  5. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

    6,164
    6,613
    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
    0
    You still have an air leak somewhere. I'm going to guess either the filter assembly or fuel pump fittings. I'd buy a new Davco before I started pulling injectors.
     
  6. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

    2,215
    2,212
    Jan 7, 2013
    0
    +1 for the Davco check valve. It is very simple to pull them out and clean them, just don't lose the little spring, do it over a clean pan. If that's not it, I'd guess that you have a small leak somewhere and it loses prime.
     
    Beethoven Thanks this.
  7. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

    7,826
    6,276
    Feb 4, 2009
    0
    That check valve at the back of the head should have just been replaced, not inspected. It doesn't take much to have them leak back. I doubt you can tell by just looking at it.
     
  8. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

    1,112
    632
    Mar 1, 2009
    At The Key Board
    0
    How did he check it>shake it, blow into it?

    Replace it and rule it out as being the problem.
     
    Heavyd Thanks this.
  9. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

    1,594
    684
    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
    0
    A 60 series needs 195 RPM to start and it needs an SRS signal. when you try starting it, look, with a flashlight into the fuel tank, you will see two tubes usually the front one is the return, if it is sucking air it will blow out air. Never in all my years of working on S60 have I seen a check valve fail. It is a ball and seat with a spring.
    For years either cans were yellow, color coding for what they were used on. You can destroy the rings on an engine abusing either.
     
  10. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

    3,640
    4,959
    Oct 10, 2006
    NC
    0
    Check valves with a ball seat usually just don't fail by their design, but I definitely have seen junk from the fuel tank hold open a check valve on a Davco filter. Also, using WD40 instead of starting fluid will not cause a big explosion in the cylinders like starting fluid, and it also will provide lubrication at the same time, while starting an engine the same as starting fluid will.
     
    NavigatorWife Thanks this.
  11. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

    7,985
    4,372
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    They took the stuff out of wd40 that made it a good starting fluid
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.