Still Having Problems...

[waytallwhitey]

Went to town today with my Queen to run some errands and the green light came on - flashing. I pulled over and did the purge sequence; no change. I did the purge at every stop we made, probably 6 times. It seemed to get a little better with each purge; the green light would be steady except under acceleration. Finally it was on full time even when I stomped down on the pedal. On the way home I had a nice straight away so I put the coal right to it; it started to flash at about 90 mph, but otherwise seemd OK, but obviously there is still a problem.

The filter I put on last night was new in the package. The oil was from a guy that filters to 1 micron absolute and I've put on over 1,000 miles in the last week using the same oil.

Should I have to purge so many times in a row? Should I have to do so every time I start my truck? If there is a problem with the filter or the oil wouldn't it get worse, not better?

Any ideas?

[Longstroke]

Do you have the updated pressure switch with the relay?

If not it may be your switch or an obstruction in the tank or prefilter.

[waytallwhitey]

Do you have the updated pressure switch with the relay?

If not it may be your switch or an obstruction in the tank or prefilter.

I didn't know there was an updated pressure switch; my system was installed last September, any ideas if mine is new or old? If it is an obstruction, why would it get better as I drove along? Please don't think I'm questioning your advice, just asking questions as they pop into my head

[skyskijason]

Not enough miles on that filter for it to be plugged. This is one of those situations where a fuel press gauge would probably indicate what the problem is...

To answer the purge question, once or twice should be plenty to remove the air from new, empty filter - more purge cycles won't hurt anything.

Have you checked the pre-filter in V3? (Behind big allen head fitting)

Likely taking advice from me was a bad idea!

[lancaster,pa]

Went to town today with my Queen to run some errands and the green light came on - flashing. I pulled over and did the purge sequence; no change. I did the purge at every stop we made, probably 6 times. It seemed to get a little better with each purge; the green light would be steady except under acceleration. Finally it was on full time even when I stomped down on the pedal. On the way home I had a nice straight away so I put the coal right to it; it started to flash at about 90 mph, but otherwise seemd OK, but obviously there is still a problem.

The filter I put on last night was new in the package. The oil was from a guy that filters to 1 micron absolute and I've put on over 1,000 miles in the last week using the same oil.

Should I have to purge so many times in a row? Should I have to do so every time I start my truck? If there is a problem with the filter or the oil wouldn't it get worse, not better?
Any ideas?

waytall,
Just curious as to what tank you are using and how cold it is where you are. Have you recently filled your tank and did the problem start then? Did you operate earlier in the winter sucessfully with temps colder than now? - Patrick

[lancaster,pa]

waytall,
Just read your first thread re your problems. Looks like you have not been using veg since Christmas (about 11 weeks). During that time, was there veg in your V3 and was it being heated but not in use for the entire time? - Patrick

[VTVegiPower]

Check to make sure you are not leaking from the pressure switch. That was the problem with some of them. I imagine that would cause you to get a flashing light. If that is the case it is a simple fix with a new switch and relay.

[waytallwhitey]

waytall,
Just curious as to what tank you are using and how cold it is where you are. Have you recently filled your tank and did the problem start then? Did you operate earlier in the winter sucessfully with temps colder than now? - Patrick

I'm using my 60 gal bed tank; I've ran in colder temps than what we are having right now. I filled the tank last Tuesday, but it was only to top it off; I put in approx 35 gallons. I'll be checking the pre filter screen tomorrw and post my findings. For more info, see my post "The Urge To Purge"

Thank you all, and Jason don't be too hard on yourself, but if you really want me to whack your ass with a stick....

[waytallwhitey]

waytall,
Just read your first thread re your problems. Looks like you have not been using veg since Christmas (about 11 weeks). During that time, was there veg in your V3 and was it being heated but not in use for the entire time? - Patrick

Once I quit running on wvo I shut the system off; but I did run diesel through it a couple of times to rinse it out and make sure the system was operating properly. Approximately 30 gallons each time till the system shut off and then I shut the switch off

[waytallwhitey]

Check to make sure you are not leaking from the pressure switch. That was the problem with some of them. I imagine that would cause you to get a flashing light. If that is the case it is a simple fix with a new switch and relay.

This is on the V3 manifold? I'll check tomorrow. What will the new switch and relay run me?

[lancaster,pa]

I'm using my 60 gal bed tank; I've ran in colder temps than what we are having right now. I filled the tank last Tuesday, but it was only to top it off; I put in approx 35 gallons. I'll be checking the pre filter screen tomorrw and post my findings. For more info, see my post "The Urge To Purge"

Thank you all, and Jason don't be too hard on yourself, but if you really want me to whack your ass with a stick....

waytall,
Thinking back to previous posts, some of the tanks had construction debris in them. As this moves around in the tank, it may plug the inlet or get sucked into the system and clog the pre-filter screen or passageways in the V3. If cleaning the pre-filter screen doesn't help, you may want to look at clearing the V3 and supply line of any blockages that may exist.

Another idea may be to verify that your filter heater is working. Cold veg in the filter could keep the system from building pressure. - Patrick

[VTVegiPower]

This is on the V3 manifold? I'll check tomorrow. What will the new switch and relay run me?

Yes it is on the V3. If you dig around the forum a little you will find a thread all about the faulty switches with pics so you know just what to look for. If you have one of the problematic ones I imagine DFA will warrantee it for you. Definitely check pre-filter, especially if you never have, and malfunctioning heater jacket is a good thought too.

[waytallwhitey]

waytall,
Thinking back to previous posts, some of the tanks had construction debris in them. As this moves around in the tank, it may plug the inlet or get sucked into the system and clog the pre-filter screen or passageways in the V3. If cleaning the pre-filter screen doesn't help, you may want to look at clearing the V3 and supply line of any blockages that may exist.

Another idea may be to verify that your filter heater is working. Cold veg in the filter could keep the system from building pressure. - Patrick

I will definitely be checking that pre-filter tomorrow before going back on the road! I'm not sure if it would be construction debris though as I have run several tankfuls through the system since installing it.

Yes it is on the V3. If you dig around the forum a little you will find a thread all about the faulty switches with pics so you know just what to look for. If you have one of the problematic ones I imagine DFA will warrantee it for you. Definitely check pre-filter, especially if you never have, and malfunctioning heater jacket is a good thought too.

I'll poke around some tomorrow to see what I can find; Sunday's are real hectic for me, getting ready to head back down to the city. I'll check that jacket, too.

That's one of the many good things about this site, everyone jumps in to help a damsel in distress! Thank you all so much for your input!

[Longstroke]

I didn't know there was an updated pressure switch; my system was installed last September, any ideas if mine is new or old? If it is an obstruction, why would it get better as I drove along? Please don't think I'm questioning your advice, just asking questions as they pop into my head

It's likely the pressure switch, the thing sure has caused problems not being able to handle the current of the fuel pump.

As for the possible obstruction, as the oil gets warmer it would flow through a partially clogged prefliter screen better and thus the system may start working normally again the longer you drive it.

Hope this helps.

[lancaster,pa]

waytall,
Another thought came to mind: I used some PHO this winter and found that as the thicker oil settled to the bottom of my tank, it was not warmed sufficiently for the pump to pick it up. I came to the conclusion that my tank does not have enough heat to adequately melt/thin PHO in cold conditions (gonna fix that this summer before next winter rolls around). As I drove longer distances, the tank heated sufficiently to thin the oil enough for the pump to pick it up and my green light stayed on. Might be something to think about if all else fails. - Patrick