M35A3 Won't Start

[renovate7]

I was able to visit with my A3 at Warner Robbins this week and got 2 new tires put on it so it is ready to roll. Unfortunately it won't start. The fuel tank was EMPTY and I think it may have also been run out of fuel. I put in 10 gals of diesel and cranked, intermittently, for quite a while. I got fuel to the filter for sure. I was able to run it for about 20 seconds, carefully, on starting fluid but it wouldn't stay running. A local Cat dealer said these are very difficult to get started when run out of fuel and said they put suction on the return line to help. When we go to pick it up, with a trailer, next week I'll start with a new fuel filter and go from there. The engine looks "new" and the truck has 3800 miles and 125 hrs...Any wisdom from the board greatly appreciated.

 

[trukhead]

Runn for me baby or go bit#%..

I have aspirated my cucv with wd40 to get it primed and running WITHOUT THE dreaded ether knock of death.

I have not tried it with my A3 but I would do the wd40 in a pinch. The guy at the auto parts store said he used to get all types of out of fuel diesels going again that were stranded on the interstate using wd40 and shooting it in in spurts to keep the engine running until it caught on diesel.

 

[AceHigh]

I bet it is air in the injector lines. The A2 is much easier to purge air than the A3.

 

[Floridianson]

Yea common rail takes a while but no bleeding needed. Suction would be the quickest but Keep cranking and she will clear. Wish they would have put on a primer like some IH.

 

[renovate7]

Thanks for the input. The WD40 sounds like a great idea...I had a GM 6.2 in the 90's that ran out of fuel. I got some diesel and cranked it, on the side of the road, until the batteries were about dead. It FINALLY started. I called the "jiffy lube" that had changed the fuel filter and not filled the new one before installation and gave them a (small) piece of my mind. Adding it to their collective intellect still equaled zero.

 

[Akicita]

While you're checking on things, look at the fuel filters, particularly, the primary filter. It may be clogged and keep the new fuel from reaching the engine. I'm going to fix that problem on my recently purchased truck this weekend.

 

[AceHigh]

While you're checking on things, look at the fuel filters, particularly, the primary filter. It may be clogged and keep the new fuel from reaching the engine. I'm going to fix that problem on my recently purchased truck this weekend.

I think there is only one filter.

 

[hemichallenger]

I would pull the air intake hose off at the intake and use starting fluid while someone cranks it over with at least half throttle. Start cranking before you start spraying. It might take 1/2 to a can of good starting fluid. Do not give it a big shot and then go in the truck and crank it over.