HELP! TRUCK ONLY STARTS WITH STARTER FLUID

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Supplychain2019, Nov 29, 2021.

  1. Supplychain2019

    Supplychain2019 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 29, 2021
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    Hi first time posting here since I can’t find my solution anywhere else



    I have a 2007 Freightliner Columbia with a 14L Detroit 60 series engine


    The truck was running perfectly fine until one day it would crank but would NOT start.


    Now it only starts with starter fluid. BUT once the truck has been running it starts and shuts off with no problem.


    ——-


    I’ve checked / replaced


    electrical - batteries, starter, fuses, starter solenoid



    Other - Fuel/water separator and the check valve behind the engine

    and I’ve even used fuel injector cleaning fluid


    When I changed the filter of the fuel/water separator it would start but very faintly


    Now here’s the thing … I come to

    You guys because I don’t know what else to check and my mechanic is suggesting that it can be the injectors but truck runs strong once it’s on, so I’m doubting it’s the injectors
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
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  3. Joyce's Volvo

    Joyce's Volvo Light Load Member

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    Does it smoke while cranking? No smoke means no fuel, could be fuel draining back or the fuel transfer pump could be weak. Chech fuel pressure.
     
    Supplychain2019 Thanks this.
  4. Supplychain2019

    Supplychain2019 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 29, 2021
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    there is no smoke coming out out the exhaust while cranking… so does this mean check fuel pump and fuel lines ? Okay worth a shot I’ll check it out tomorrow and keep you posted.
     
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
  5. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

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    I’m not 100% positive on this but seems I’ve heard using starting fluid is a bad idea and can cause a bunch of other problems

    I know you need to do what gets it going but if what I heard is right. The sooner you fix the issue the less chance of a snowball effect
     
    Don379 Thanks this.
  6. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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  7. mtntopbound

    mtntopbound Bobtail Member

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    Everywhere man
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    A bad srs sensor will act like that, I would probably replace both srs and trs sensors at the same time. Just a guess without a scanner, but I have seen that same thing before and it was the srs.
     
  8. A5¢

    A5¢ Medium Load Member

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    If the problem started around the time you changed the fuel/water separator, perhaps you have a leak at the filter?
     
    Rideandrepair and Supplychain2019 Thank this.
  9. Supplychain2019

    Supplychain2019 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 29, 2021
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    Hi.. great suggestion. That’s exactly what I did, the fuel/water separator wasn’t installed correctly. The truck is turning on now but still turning on very weak.. going to also change the SRS & TRS sensors this weekend coming up
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  10. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Yes its extremely hard on engines. Its like crack for an engine lol.
     
    Badmon and GYPSY65 Thank this.
  11. Ffx95

    Ffx95 Road Train Member

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    I’m not mechanic but I would guess it’s hard on diesels because of how easy it is to detonate. It burns up easier than gasoline so I would guess there’s some predetonation going on.
     
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