welp last night my truck fired up kinda strange, a few extra seconds before it finally started, anyway this morning i went out to start it, about 30 degree's here, and it ran for 5 seconds and died, anyway i just got done changing the fuel filter with no luck on getting it running, i noticed when i took the filter off there wasnt much fuel in it, a half cup maybe, and then i realized that i took the filter off with the key on, should there of been fuel sqirting in my eyes if i pulled it off with the key on?

2003 dmax/allison 33k on it


thanks
John S

No fuel should spew out, your pump is mechanical and sucks the fuel out of the tank. Sounds like you have a very small air leak. Be sure the bleeder and filter drain valves are snugged up and that the filter gaskets are in place and the filter tightened up firmly. Its easy to put that filter back on with the top gasket slightly out of place or not even there. I've heard of guys dropping the gasket during installation and not even knowing it. Did you prime the filter after installing. You prime by loosening the bleeder screw and pumping the palm/thumb actuated pump until fuel squirts out of the bleeder screw hole. Its a little tricky the first time. After the fuel squirts out, stop pumping, tighten bleeder screw and wipe up excess fuel. better yet stuff a rag or paper towel around the the filter head to catch the fuel that squirts outwhen you actuate the little hand pump on the filter head.Don't pump real fast, may take 30 or so pumps to prime.

ok that explains it a little better for me, well the truck go towed to the stealer today and he said he primed it and it started, he couldnt explain to me HOW it lost the prime in the first place, cause i changed the filter after i had the no start issue, anyway what can typically cause it to lose the prime?

thanks John S

My best guess is you did not get all the air out. I have found that sometimes you can get a shot of fuel and still have a lot of air. After you get the first shot of fuel give it another slow stroke. It might take several more. Later! Frank

The most likely place to loose prime is the O-ring at the fuel filter. It's a lot more likely to suck air as the air temperture falls.

not to scare you but if you had a hard start issue before you screwed with the fuel filter you may have injector issues. My truck would start when warm but not well or at all when cold. Plug in the block heater and all was good. Maybe it sat in the dealer service bay for a bit and warmed up slightly and off it fired? If nothing happens agin I wouldnt worry but if the problem persists then i may strt to investigate

I just got by truck back yesterday 8900 mile won't start when cold losing prime.
8 new injectors

ratlover, jJhnSS43,

My truck did the same thing. I will start whenever plugged in but not or very hard if cold. I'm also waiting for injectors now.

JohnSS43,
After priming the filter and tightening the bleeder screw, I have found that giving the pump a few more strokes until it gets hard to pump helps. Two filter changes back I didn't do this and couldn't get mine started. I was done panicking and almost ready to call the dealer. then I gave it a few more strokes with the bleeder screw tightened and she started right up. Last filter change I did this again and it started right up.