1989 Dodge Ram ran out of gas on a cummings turbo deisel

BUTTEDODGE

MEMBER
1989 DODGE RAM
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
240,000 MILES

I recently ran out of gas on a cummins turbo diesel. I put more gas in and now it wont start. I was wondering the proper procedure for getting it going again. I know not to use starting fluid, but how do I get it going again. One of my friends said there is a manual pump but I cant find it. It is a simple question but I am unfamilure with diesels. Should I just turn it over until it starts or is there a better way please help.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Hi buttedodge. Welcome to the forum. As I recall, there is a flip-up lever on the lift pump on the driver's side of the engine. The lift pump is close to the rear of the engine and down low. There is a screw on top of the water separator to loosen to let the air out while you stroke the pump lever.

Once the engine is running, it will likely have a misfire from air in one of the lines going to an injector. To purge that air, loosen one line nut at a time but be very careful. The fuel is under high enough pressure to be forced through your skin. Put a rag around the joint to prevent the fuel from spraying. The air in the lines will not leave on its own because it will just compress instead of forcing open the injector. Ten seconds should be enough time to leave each nut loose. That cylinder will continue to misfire until the nut is tightened.

Caradiodoc