I have a 1981 with a Olds 350 diesel, I ran it out of fuel now I cannot get
it to start, any suggestions.
Thanks
Leonard

 

1. Never run a diesel out of fuel.

2. If you ever run a diesel out of fuel, see Rule 1.

- Eric

 

Yes, and what that rule might be, thanks

 

But seriously...

You've run the fuel out, which means you've run air in.

Mechanical fuel injection pumps like on your diesel, and on the early '70's fuel injected Porsches, run on the principle of the non-compressibility of liquids, like your brake system does. The idea is that if the pump pushes fuel in at one end of the fuel line, the same amount of fuel will be instantaneously pushed out the other end (through the injector) at the same pressure. This works because liquids are non-compressible. In order to maintain fast opening and closing, the fuel in the lines is maintained under pressure by fuel injector nozzles that only open at high pressures (usually about 300psi). No pressure, no open.

In your case, you have replaced the liquid fuel in the lines with gaseous air, which is compressible, so that when the pump pumps in a tiny bit of fuel, it can't get up enough pressure to open up the valve on the other end and let the air out, so that fuel can fill up the line. In practice, if you cranked the motor over for an interminable (and starter-destroying) amount of time, you could get enough fuel into the lines, but it ain't gonna happen.

What to do?
You've got to bleed the lines.
Crack all of the fittings where the lines connect to the injectors and crank 'er over until you've got fuel coming out the fittings. Then, tighten them up, crank 'er over, and you should be good to go!

- Eric

 

if bleeding, crack one line at time,be prepared for fuel spill.

 

Diesel fuel systems normally have bleed vents at the filters and on the injection pump itself.
I would start by replacing the primary fuel filter, as I recall my '79 Olds diesel had two filters, and it's likely you will have sucked up some gunk from the bottom of the tank.
Then vent the filters by cranking until air free fuel comes out of the bleed screws, next vent the fuel pump, then crack open the injector lines as Eric said.
Have a good spare battery standing by or better still another car you can run jumper cables from, it is a long winded process that makes big demands of the battery and starter motor. Avoid extended cranking, this can kill a good battery and starter motor.
Be prepared to clean up spilt fuel both round the engine and on the floor afterwards, it a messy process as well as long winded.
Good luck!.
Roger.

 

could give it a shot of quick start,if you don,t have glow pulgs,

 

Starting ether won't make up for the lack of fuel in the lines, and may crack pistons or rings.

- Eric

 

or even blow head gaskets, these diesels are not as forgiving to ether as others are.

 

And...........................................welc ome to CO.

 

Olds 350 diesels aren't very forgiving with diesel, let alone ether. :-)
Crack the lines like mentioned above, and welcome to the site.