Fuel system trouble, need help

[loxahatcheeman]

Hello everyone. I have a 1970 M35A2 with a D turbo. The truck ran fine when I had time to run it regularly but, alas, life has gotten in the way and I no longer get to run it regularly. I tried to start it the other day and it wouldn't start. With the help of a little ether, I was finally able to get it to run. It seemed like it was running ok so I let it run for about 30 minutes to charge the batteries back up. As soon as I shut down the engine, I could hear fuel dribbling back into the fuel tank. When I went to start it again, I it wouldn't start unless I spritzed it with a little ether again. Obviously it loses its prime and the fuel pump is not doing its job, but the engine is able to suck enough fuel to run once started. I'm getting ready to move so I really have no time to get it running properly again. If anyone lives in the Loxahatchee, FL area and has some experience with this, I would be happy to pay for your time to get it running again. I hate to be lazy about getting it running, but with the move coming up, I just have no time to fiddle with it. Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Check ALL your fuel lines and their connections. Rubber hoses dry out and crack. Mechanical joints loosen. You may be sucking air and/or allowing fuel to siphon back to the tank if there is a pinhole or larger leak.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Sounds like your in tank fuel pump is not working or your filters are plugged up.

 

[loxahatcheeman]

Thanks for the tips. Is there a way to manually prime the fuel system so I don't have to use ether to get the engine to start? Also, what is the best way to look for leaks?