Truck:
-1984 F250 Diesel (ATS Turbo)
-4x4
-Manual

Heres the issue... My friend wanted an older diesel truck, and alas we found this 1984 f250. The ad said new fuel pump new fuel lines... But while cranking, it just spins and spins and spins.... i cannot tell if it is getting fuel, but the water/fuel seperator on top the engine has some fuel, as i am not inclined with these,(infact i am quite retarded) i have no idea what is wrong with it.

-I cannot hear the fuel pump turn on. infact im not sure where it is.

can anyone point me in the general direction of where i should even start?

Thanks, Tyler

 

Subscribed, but not because I know anything about the problems. In fact, until today I wasn't interested in diesels - and I'm not sure I truly am. And, the way I read the parts catalog the diesel didn't come out until '84, but just today a buddy told me he has a diesel in an '84. So, maybe I need to "read the mail" to learn something about them. Good luck!

 

Thanks Man, Id love to learn more about these. The idis are super strong from what ive been hearing.

and i loved my 2001 7.3 and my 2004 6.0

 

There's a forum here just for the idi. I am sure they can help you there.

 

Is that located here at the fte forums?

 

Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

awesome thank you

 

That one should have a manual pump on the side of the motor and if I'm not mistaken they also had another water separator up in one of the corners of the firewall and fender that was notorious for letting it suck air I used to just bypass those they were so much trouble but my memory is a little foggy on these as I haven't worked on one in years.

 

It sounds like glow plugs. if they aren't working it wont start. go to the idi forum and someone will help you out

 

Glow plugs wont make a difference in normal temp ranges. A diesel should pop right off with out the use of them. Id bet its air in the fuel lines, but Im no expert.

 

Even if it's over 100* outside these things are difficult to start without functional glow plugs (ask me how I know...) If it's just cranking and not even trying at all you are probably looking at air intrusion in the lines or no power to the fuel shut off solenoid. Get out your 5/8 open end wrench and crack one of the injector lines while cranking the engine to bleed the air. Unless you have a TON of air in the line, it should push it out of the loosened fitting and the truck will start. (It will run rough until you re-tighten the injector line). If fuel is seeping out of the cracked injector line and it's still not even trying, check to make sure you have 12v at the fuel shut off solenoid wire on the injection pump, and, with the key "on" you should be able to hear the solenoid click when you pull the wire off and touch it to the solenoid terminal. If you have air intrusion ~and glow plug issues you will probably need starting fluid and crack the injector line to get it to fire up. Find your problem and get it fixed before you start burning up starters (ask me how I know...). Once you get the hang of troubleshooting the fuel system and glow plug electrical systems these IDI diesels are very simple, and run really really well. They are great engines. They lack the power of modern diesels, but they also lack all of the computers, sensors and multi-thousand dollar fuel components that contemporary diesel owners have to deal with!