2018 Diesel Not Starting

I don't know how to bleed the fuel system, but I'd try that. For some, you crack a line, for others, you turn the key off and on, and some do it automatically. Look up how to do it on the Ranger.

jimh406 said:

I don't know how to bleed the fuel system, but I'd try that. For some, you crack a line, for others, you turn the key off and on, and some do it automatically. Look up how to do it on the Ranger.

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Yes, I have bleed the fuel system per the service manual. No impact on the issue.

Newhntr said:

Yes, I have bleed the fuel system per the service manual. No impact on the issue.

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I have also pulled the fuel return line going into the fuel tank and there is fuel returning to the tank. So it would appear that the fuel pump and solenoid are working.

Here is a pic under the valve cover. The control rod that runs parallel to the fuel rail....I know it is holding at full throttle until the engine attempts to start then the control rod moves and makes it idle and that is when the engine shuts down. I held the rod at resting position (full throttle) and the engine did run...rough and smoking but is did run. At this point I am suspecting a bad/clogged injector. I have also replaced fuel with new.

Anyone have other ideas?

Could be algae.

So I removed the glow plugs and tested them....all 3 are good and they have power. Manual says that is also where to test compression. Just held my finger over the holes and cranked....blew my finger off of all three.....but only 2 cylinders gave me a wet finger....the third was dry every time. So, figuring it is a clogged injector. I emptied the fuel filter and filled with Sea Foam then put the fuel pick line in the can of the Sea Foam....and cranked until it came out of the return line....letting it sit over night. Not sure if that will clear the clog or not.

Any other ideas for cleaning the injector? I thought the manual said they are sealed units.


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It seems like you are getting close. If SeaFoam is getting into it, it should help. Good luck.

Newhntr said:

Manual says that is also where to test compression. Just held my finger over the holes and cranked....blew my finger off of all three

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The finger method will not give you any information on whether or not low compression is your culprit. You'll need a diesel compression tester due to your cylinder compression being close to 500 psi. Compression of 100 psi would blow your finger off of the hole but would not let that diesel start.

I ended up cleaning all 3 injectors. I can now get the engine started, but it starts hard. It also cannot idle, the throttle is searching and constantly changing speeds. It is also blowing a lot of white smoke. My coolant level is not changing at all so I don't believe it is a coolant leak. So I suspect is it unburned fuel.

Not sure where to go from here.

That's good.

Do you have good new fuel in it? Even if so, you might try adding some cetane booster fuel additive like Power Service Diesel Kleen to the fuel. It might take a while to clean the combustion chambers completely out. I'm assuming you've checked the air filter.

I did a compression test and one cylinder just kept building up more pressure and it never fell. So it must be the exhaust valve is stuck closed.

Still fighting this. Here is the current situation. The timing was off. So that has been corrected. It will still not start on it's own. It will start with some starter fluild help....then once that burns off it will run off the fuel and idle. The idle is smooth and it sounds like it should. However it is blowing white smoke like crazy...smells like unburnt diesel. When I give it throttle it struggles and can't get up to speed. Compression tested fine. I am having a hard time finding someone that can test the injectors. I left it running for 30 minutes at an idle with some Seafoam.

Newhntr said:

Still fighting this. Here is the current situation. The timing was off. So that has been corrected. It will still not start on it's own. It will start with some starter fluild help....then once that burns off it will run off the fuel and idle. The idle is smooth and it sounds like it should. However it is blowing white smoke like crazy...smells like unburnt diesel. When I give it throttle it struggles and can't get up to speed. Compression tested fine. I am having a hard time finding someone that can test the injectors. I left it running for 30 minutes at an idle with some Seafoam.

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Newhntr said:

Still fighting this. Here is the current situation. The timing was off. So that has been corrected. It will still not start on it's own. It will start with some starter fluild help....then once that burns off it will run off the fuel and idle. The idle is smooth and it sounds like it should. However it is blowing white smoke like crazy...smells like unburnt diesel. When I give it throttle it struggles and can't get up to speed. Compression tested fine. I am having a hard time finding someone that can test the injectors. I left it running for 30 minutes at an idle with some Seafoam.

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if you are throwing white smoke it says fuel is not burning or water in the cylinder. If it’s a 18 you have the Koehler engine so could be the timing of the fuel injectors is out of time. Remember each injector has its own built in pump. I fought mine for over a year until I finally found out how to time the injector.

Phil L said:

if you are throwing white smoke it says fuel is not burning or water in the cylinder. If it’s a 18 you have the Koehler engine so could be the timing of the fuel injectors is out of time. Remember each injector has its own built in pump. I fought mine for over a year until I finally found out how to time the injector.

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Start out timing the injectors by seeing three threads where the nut is. That’s a good starting point, then turn one at a time 1/4 turn till it’s running correct. a little bit changes it a lot. 1/2 turn changes the timing 5 degrees