Need reefer help. wont start engine

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by makvolvo, Apr 8, 2020.

  1. makvolvo

    makvolvo Bobtail Member

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    Hi guys i need help. I was trying to save some money and decided for the first time to change my oil and filters myself. So the oil filters were good but after i changed the fuel filter the engine started and then died after 30 seconds. And now i cant start it again. I tried priming thousand times but still no success. You have any other idea? thanks
     
  2. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    Did you loose nut on fuel pump and have fuel flow out when pumping hand pump?
     
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  3. makvolvo

    makvolvo Bobtail Member

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    Where this nut is supposed to be? when i replaced the filter i didnt see any nut though
     
  4. reeferwrencher

    reeferwrencher Medium Load Member

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    If you have an air line that you can hook to your tanks and cheap air gun you can pressurize the fuel tank through the vent.that will force fuel to the pump then you can pump the hand pump enough to get it running. Very easy to do and saves you from getting tennis elbow from priming it a million times
     
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  5. MRMTRANS

    MRMTRANS Medium Load Member

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    Are you doing correctly? There's a screw that when unscrewed, a valve is opened so as to purge air. Air in tank is the easiest. There are 3 ports on the top of the fuel tank. One will have a breather tube or plug (the other 2 are for supply & return lines). Put a quick connect air fitting there, and buy a 3/8" air hose and use air from truck to pressurize. One other tip: pump 200 times, then manually crank while still pumping as fast as you can. You might have to repeat 2-3times.
     
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  6. DmitriyKW

    DmitriyKW Bobtail Member

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    Did you fill with it with fuel before installing new filter?
     
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  7. Sly Fox

    Sly Fox Road Train Member

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    What everyone else said. You're out of fuel and you drained it back to the tank. Pressurizing the tank is the easy way to do it. You bleed it, not to unlike bleeding brakes on a passenger vehicle. Don't try pumping it by hand. Your hand will fall off.
     
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  8. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    First of all what reefer do you have? Thermo King or Carrier. The plug is on high pressure fuel pump. Make it loose then unscrew priming pump and pump until fuel comes from under plug without air. Otherwise you can damage high pressure fuel pump running it dry. Pressurizing fuel tank will save you time and labor.
    Inside the door should be sticker with instruction how to bleed air. Screenshot_2020-04-08 Thermo King SB 230 Operator Guide pdf.png
     
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  9. wichris

    wichris Road Train Member

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    If you only pumped it a thousand times then you're about halfway there. Every reefer driver should have to dry start a unit so they remember fuel.
     
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