freddyo
02-13-2005, 05:27 AM
My first day in Mexico, just before dark on a remote mountain highway in Chihuahua, my truck died. Dead. No local stealer, AAA, OnStar, etc. Yikes! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif
I eventually figured out (with help from a Tech II and the shop manual diagnostic tables) that the problem was vapor in the fuel filters. The codes set were "low fuel rail pressure". This happened another dozen times over the next douple of weeks - but only when at high altitude AND using Mexican fuel. One or the other condition by itself has never been a problem.
I got to make good use of my Tech II, the needle valve bleeder, and the under-hood switch for my primary fuel pump. After the first incident, I could jump out, bleed the filters, reset the codes and be hauling again within five minutes. The Tech II earned its keep on this trip.
When I installed the pump, I set the regulator to provide about two pounds of pressure at the engine. Apparently Mexican diesel contains some lighter fractions than the US version. I don't know if raising the regulator pressure will solve the problem or if the Delco pump is just not able to maintain enough flow to provide posititve pressure (JK warned me about this). I'll have to wait for my next trip to Mexico to find out.
I eventually figured out (with help from a Tech II and the shop manual diagnostic tables) that the problem was vapor in the fuel filters. The codes set were "low fuel rail pressure". This happened another dozen times over the next douple of weeks - but only when at high altitude AND using Mexican fuel. One or the other condition by itself has never been a problem.
I got to make good use of my Tech II, the needle valve bleeder, and the under-hood switch for my primary fuel pump. After the first incident, I could jump out, bleed the filters, reset the codes and be hauling again within five minutes. The Tech II earned its keep on this trip.
When I installed the pump, I set the regulator to provide about two pounds of pressure at the engine. Apparently Mexican diesel contains some lighter fractions than the US version. I don't know if raising the regulator pressure will solve the problem or if the Delco pump is just not able to maintain enough flow to provide posititve pressure (JK warned me about this). I'll have to wait for my next trip to Mexico to find out.