DT466E No Start Help, Part 1

This is another excerpt from my No Start Diagnostic book, in response to

so many basic questions I receive on no start problems.

Many of these problems are due to basic things anyone can check.

This will be a two-part post, with part 2 coming next month.
Check back often for news and information.

A diesel engine needs only three things to start; air, fuel injected at the right time,

and compression. Compression is partly a function of cranking speed, so batteries

or a starter that are too weak to crank the engine fast enough will cause a no start.

The engine needs to crank at a minimum of 130 rpm in order to start, so make sure it

does and use a battery charger if needed.

The most common causes of no start in the DT engine are low oil level,

an ICP (injection control pressure) problem, and fuel issues. It is important to check the

simplest, easiest things first. If no code or light is set a fuel problem is often the cause.

It is worthwhile to at least look at the air filter or preferably to shine a light through it

to be sure it isn’t plugged. Also check the fuel filter, making sure it is full of fuel.

An empty filter that makes a sucking noise when it is loosened is a sure sign of a

restricted fuel line, filter, or tank pickup. If in doubt, replace the filter.

If a fuel delivery problem is suspected always check the pre-filter screen for

debris blockage. On pre-2004 engines it is a small bowl about the size of a D-cell battery

behind the fuel filter. On EGR engines it is on the bottom of the fuel filter canister.

Both bowls contain a cleanable screen and are sealed by an O-ring.

If your 4000 series has dual fuel tanks, make sure there is fuel in the

passenger side tank. The engine usually draws fuel from that tank, and an

electric fuel pump transfers fuel from the driver side to keep the same level in both.

If the transfer pump fails the passenger tank can be sucked dry.

While on the subject, smell the fuel and make sure someone didn’t fill the

tank with gasoline. You would be amazed at the number of times professional mechanics

run into this, and nobody ever knows who did it. Too much gasoline will cause

a no start or at minimum rough running, low power, and amazing quantities

of foul-smelling smoke.

Check back next month for part 2

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