1997 Monaco dynasty 8.3 cummins diesel will turn over fine but will not start.Tried rear remote start switch. Still nothing. I got a can of starting fluid and she would start with that and stay running for 15 minutes until I shut it down . Tried a couple hours later and started right up. This morning same thing , turns over but will not start. Obviously a fuel issue. Must be losing its prime some how or fuel pressure. I'm in So Cal 65 degrees.No fuel leaks that I can see. I'm assuming fuel pump and solenoid are good if it starts and stays running with starting fluid . Will check back later . thanks kb

Could also be the fuel cut-off solenoid on the engine not pulling in all the way.Try manually moving the plunger.Here is a good description: http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/fuel_shut_off_solenoid_replacement.htmlIf not that, then likely an air leak into the fuel system. Filters are a common location for leaks, though at that age, hoses become suspect as well.

I had good luck with Redlands Performance and truck service in Redlands. Everything that they worked on with our Dynasty was top notch and never had to be 're-done'. They repaired my dash the first time whereas Colton Truck attempted three times and did not fix it. I wouldn't take my lawn mower to Colton Truck in Colton.Good luck,MM.

How old is your battery? It might not be spinning fast enough to catch.

Plus one on the fuel filter.Mine was sucking air on one of them.

san elijo kb wrote:1997 Monaco dynasty 8.3 cummins diesel will turn over fine but will not start.Tried rear remote start switch. Still nothing. I got a can of starting fluid and she would start with that and stay running for 15 minutes until I shut it down . Tried a couple hours later and started right up. This morning same thing , turns over but will not start. Obviously a fuel issue. Must be losing its prime some how or fuel pressure. I'm in So Cal 65 degrees.No fuel leaks that I can see. I'm assuming fuel pump and solenoid are good if it starts and stays running with starting fluid . Will check back later . thanks kbI thought I read somewhere that using starting fluid on a Diesel, was a no, no....

diesel engine wont start | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

san_elijo_kb
Explorer
Feb 16, 2017
update. We checked electrical on engine pre heat system that consisted of a control box , solenoid and relay . all these checked out good .The intake has two heat injectors similar to glow plugs , but they actually have fuel connections incorporated . I believe they were the issue and when checking electrical for some reason they started working again .suspecting moisture . anyway starts right up , and if it does it again , I will know what to check . thanks for all the suggestions.
san_elijo_kb
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
no news yet. I have a mobil mechanic coming in a couple days . Will post results when we figure it out.
noteven
Explorer III
Feb 01, 2017
If it has intake air and won't keep running you are correct it is fuel supply issue. Fuel transfer pump?
Kennedycamper
Explorer
Jan 31, 2017
Most Cummins I've seen do use a grid heater.
wolfe10
Explorer
Jan 31, 2017
STOP.

The can saying it is safe for diesels does not mean it is safe for YOUR diesel.

Again, verify whether your engine has an INTAKE MANIFOLD HEATER.
slemnah
Explorer
Jan 31, 2017
I am pretty sure that is for the technician to hook up a pressure gauge during testing. You wouldn't have the correct female fitting for it anyways,
Steve
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2017
Confirm with manufacturer what the fitting is for.
Most likely it is fuel pressure gauge hookup. Don't put air into fuel system.
san_elijo_kb
Explorer
Jan 31, 2017
I also noticed an air fitting that looks like you can pressurize at fuel filter . Can that be used to pressurize and establish prime ?
san_elijo_kb
Explorer
Jan 31, 2017
So I just tried starting fluid again .The stuff says safe for diesels .Requires 4 to 5 seconds of spray . Started up. At initial start up engine raced as in a lean condition until fuel got to it. This would lead me to believe it is losing its prime or another fuel delivery issue or something else effecting fuel delivery .
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2017
Don't know if big diesels have intake air heaters. Those are used mostly on small diesel engines (tractors) that don't have glow plugs.
And yes, you can buy starting fluid for diesels.
Anyway, OP has clear symptoms of loosing prime. Lot of diesels do have glass, or clear tubing allowing for fuel flow observation.
Do you have such? If not, I would try if I can add one.
Diesel fuel lines operate mostly of vacuum, so you will never see fuel outside, but on some design topping off tank, or parking on slope where tank is higher than engine will build enough pressure to see wet area following morning.