1989 peterbilt 379 no start

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by turboguy, May 16, 2015.

  1. turboguy

    turboguy Light Load Member

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    May 16, 2015
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    Update:
    from looking all around the truck I have noticed Only the passenger side fuel tank is hooked up.

    when I tried to start the truck the motor ran for about 10 seconds revved way up (without me touching the throttle ) and the died.

    everytime I try to start the truck there is a little bit of smoke coming out of the stack

    I drained the fuel filter and the fuel looks clean... tomorrow I am going to get a new filter and prime it.

    There is another filter below the alternator.... what would that be for?
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2015
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  3. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    The filter under alt. could be for coolant follow lines to block an water pump,Try getting # off both fuel filters an buy both of them, some 5gal buckets of fuel added after you drain the bad fuel out of bottom of tank thats still hooked up by unscrewing small plug in side or bottom of tank?
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2015
    turboguy Thanks this.
  4. turboguy

    turboguy Light Load Member

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    I will replace the filters this morning, just waiting for the parts store to open up

    Also the oil pressure gauge moves when I crank the engine, I dont remember what PSI it goes to though

    I replaced the UNSW accessories fuse it was bad but the new one didnt make any difference

    I will look at the tank I didnt see any plugs on the bottom or side but I will look again today

    What coolant should I use for this year 3406?

    Does anyone have a PDF service / owners manual for a 1989 Cat 3406B?
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2015
  5. turboguy

    turboguy Light Load Member

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    I replaced the fuel filter and primed it with fresh diesel it still wont start

    The oil pressure when cranking is 60 psi
     
  6. EHB

    EHB Medium Load Member

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    How long has it been in storage?
     
  7. turboguy

    turboguy Light Load Member

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    Since December but I drive it a few times a month and just drove it 1.5 weeks ago

    It is stored indoors and on the west coast so rust / Corrosion sbouldon't be an issue

    Smoke comes out 0f the stack when I crank it, it sounds like it wants to run but it never starts

    Could it be the alternator ?
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2015
  8. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    If it smokes your getting fuel. How fast is it turning over? Does it seem fast enough to start? Have you tried pumping the throttle while cranking?
     
  9. turboguy

    turboguy Light Load Member

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    It turns over at a medium speed, it will fire up for a brief second if you use starting fluid then it revs up while making a hideous squeaking sound and then dies

    When the truck was running perfectly it turned over really fast

    I have tried pumping the throttle while cranking the motor
     
  10. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Get a strong light look at back sides of fuel tank or center on bottom of tank,Were you able to find the other fuel filter on ft. of one under hand pump?You may have a alt. or A/C Idler pulley not turning freely making sounds, you can take off belts by louse bolts under alt. then moving alt. enough to turn ALT. pulley and a/c. pulley, then fan, till you can find the one that is hard to turn? May need belt anyway, If it ran on ether you must keep flushing the bad fuel out of sys. even if you have to pump it out with a hose?
     
  11. turboguy

    turboguy Light Load Member

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    I have shined a light but its hard to see the bottom of the fuel tank

    From what I have seen there is only one filter being used, when I replaced that filter there was a couple specks of debris in it.

    Batteries are at 12.1V

    Should there be any voltage at the alternator when the key is on the "ON" position?

    Is there pulley tensioner release somewhere?
     
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