Is this the right area for this thread?

History:

I know nothing about Diesel engine except that they are different.

Bought the 96' 3500truck/RV with 230,000 miles on it with abandoned Aux tank(leaking about 50,000 mile ago) in Nov(thanks to this site I was not afraid of the 230,000 engine). Been fixing the RV part and now getting to some of the truck issues.

I took off aux tank, tanked it, patched it, lined it, painted it and reinstalled it.

Put in 17 gals ($75) of diesel in the Aux tank with no leaks(holds 50 gals). When I switch to Aux side the engine grumbled, snorted and died. Could not get it to run so switch it back to main and had to learn how to start an out of fuel diesel engine(Thanks to another thread here). Got a little scared about running the diesel out of gas.

The switch is one that will switch the sending unit line and fuel line in one. Was told it worked just that the tank was leaking and did not use anymore.

Questions:

Do I try again (many times) thinking it just need to fill the line up from a new tank?

Could a simple switch be causing the issue? Seems to be working as I switched to AUX and engine died and when I switched it back to Main it ran fine(after several tries).

Is there something special to do that I am missing?

Any help will be great as I would like to go on my 1st maiden camping trip next weekend and liek to use the AUX tank.

Thanks, Robert.

 

May have a stuck switching valve if it hasn't been used. Are you getting 12 volt power to valve? Try removing outlet hose from valve while on aux, do you have a good flow of fuel out? Is hose from Aux tank new? Is tank vented? Was tank cleaned out good possible pickup blocked.

 

Unless the line from the aux tank has a continuous downhill slope any high spots could trap air causing problems.
Assuming the switchover valve is working I think you just need to work the air out.

 

Thanks to your 2 for the replies. The pickup is good and clean and pretty sure valve is working as it shuts the main off. I think it would be air in the line and will check that out.

Is there any easy way, proper steps for air in the line??

THanks, Robert.

ps Hope to get off work early to get this worked out this evening.

 

I would think just disconnecting the line from the aux at the engine and letting it run into a bucket for a minute or so would push out any air.
If gravity won't get a good flow you can pressurize the the tank with compressed air
!!!DO NOT EXCEED 5 PSI!!!!

 

THanks for the tip. I will post the results when I get it going.

Thanks again, Robert.

 

Well still no fuel out the fuel line. I think it might be the pick up tube on the bottom of the tank where it is not able to suck up the fuel. Here is what I have tried so far.

1. Disconnected the line from the switch valve (before valve) no fuel.
2. Diconnected the line at the Aux tank and blew air through the line and through the pick up line. No blockage there.
3. Hook Aux tank line backup and pressured the tank a bit 1-3 psi and still no fuel out the line.

So at this point it has to be the pick up valve sitting at the bottom of the tank and not able to suck anything through. I hope.

Was a very busy weekend with lots of projects and this is as far as I got on this one. Hopefully I will be able to get to it tonight after work.

Thanks, Robert.