diesel " service engine soon " light came on

[rfuerst911sc]

I have a 2001 GMC diesel dually that I purchased a little over a year ago with 134,000 miles on it. Did the usual baseline oil/filter change and air filter. I purchased a fuel filter but didn't get around to installing it. Yesterday with just over 140,000 miles on it the service engine soon light came on. I was leaving Home Depot when the light came on, I made it 50 ' and she just quit. I put it in park and turned the key she turned over just fine but wouldn't fire. I turned it off, waited 30 seconds and she fired right up. The light was still on and stayed on all the way home. She ran fine with no hiccups. This morning I went out ( cold start ) and she fired right up and idled fine. I then hooked up my scan tool and got a fault code for " low fuel pressure at fuel rail ". Replaced the fuel filter, primed it and went to start it she fired right up and the service light was out. Took her for a 10 minute drive, romped on it a few times she seems to be running great. So I'm thinking I either had a dirty fuel filter or maybe a pressure regulator on its way out. What do you guys think ? I know a diesel is more finicky for fuel filter changes so I'll have to stay on top of that.

[John Rogers]

When I had my 2000 Ford F350 diesel, I found there were two things that were at the top of the list to make the truck last and run well. First was the fuel filter and second was the oil change interval. I followed those religiously and never had any issues. I used to get SES lights because I had an AFE intake and exhaust and an Edge w/attitude programmer that I ran in economy mode all the time. When how the reduced fuel flow would throw a code. To combat that when temps were over 85, I ran in "race mode" which gave more fuel. I also used to add an anti fungus/anti water additive since I did not drive it all the time. There can be weird stuff grow in a diesel tank??!!

So I'd say just keep an eye on it and change the filter. I used to buy them by the case of 6. Sorry I forget where.

[Joe Bob]

John hit the top two.....if your records shows them to be past due....do 'em. Wouldn't hurt to read the OBD codes as well.

[vash]

Isn't that just the odo timer for oil change?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by vash

Isn't that just the odo timer for oil change?

No on this model there is a separate " change engine oil " light that gets triggered, just had that go off two weeks ago.

[john70t]

Yes to fuel filter changes and anti-fungal additives.
Basic stuff.

There might be a dual-tank, dual-pumps, with a blocked crossover.

[yetibone]

Sounds like the filter drained back, and the engine shut off when the void in the line reached the high pressure pump.

There are three one-way valves for anti drain back, and working the primer pump built into the filter housing. Since there's no transfer pump in the supply system, the high pressure fuel pump draws the fuel all the way from the tank, making filter housings suspect for a couple of reasons.

Trash in the fuel filter can keep the one-way valves from sealing completely, which will allow the fuel in the filter to partially drain back towards the tank when not running. This creates a void in the top of the filter that will starve the pump, and shut the engine down.

Also, on the fuel heater electrical connector, the O ring underneath can fail, causing an air leak that will shut the engine down a few seconds after start up, and be hard to start back afterwards.

[Dan J]

That truck has an issue with the injectors that will throw that code but won't usually
make the motor die. GM increased the warranty to 200k but I don't know if there's time limit
Check on the Duramax boards

[Dan J]

That truck has an issue with the injectors that will throw that code but won't usually
make the motor die. GM increased the warranty to 200k but I don't know if there's time limit
Check on the Duramax boards