Hi I have a 1996 E350 7.3 turbo powerstroke. This thing has given me problems since I got it. Has always started super hard but runs fine once started other than blue smoke. Recently however it started dying after about 30 sec, just as if you turned the key off. I pulled the fuel filter and it was full of oil. After seeing that I changed filter and pulled all injectors and put in new orings all the way around. After reinstalling everything I tried to prime the system by turning key but can't hear fuel pump pressurizing. I opened fuel bowl drain and nothing came out. I'm not getting fuel. Is there anything I'm missing? Is the fuel pump toast? Am I priming it wrong? Is there too much air in system for pump to activate? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Aaron

 

The fuel pump is not electric. It is mechanical. You have to crank the engine for the fuel pump to work.

 

If you pulled all eight injectors and did o-rings, have you cleared the cylinders of fuel and oil? You are gonna have to crank on it for quite a while to get it started, so don't be alarmed when it doesn't fire right up. You drain the high pressure oil system, and the fuel system when you pull the injectors.

 

Yeah don't be suprised if a little oil comes out the tailpipe

 

We had to put a drain pan under the tail pipe on Josh's truck when we did his...cranked for what seemed like a lifetime...

 

Helped change some in a obs with a stack that was a mess

 

Thanks guys, are you sure it's a mechanical fuel pump. I can't say I ever heard a fuel pump in the past but I thought I found it in between the turbo and fuel bowl on top of the motor? I cranked the crap out of van and fuel bowl was still mostly empty. When I open the valve nothing comes out. I even cracked the fuel line off the head and barely anything came out. This thing is an ex ambulance btw too. Any way I can prime the system? Or test if it's actually getting fuel. When cranking it makes a thumping sound like it's trying to get something, that's the best I can explain. Thanks again

 

You might have pump issues I've always been told to never use starting fluid but I have used silicone spray when my glow plugs were pad was told it's not as harmful still not good though I guess

 

They didnt start incorperating electric pumps till the 99's. If oyur bowl isnt filling and your gettting nothing out of your lines I would replace that pump. Also see if your engine valley is clean, if one of those rubber hoses is busted there's a possibility that the pump is just dumping there

 

The factory lines get weak an blow out I had one brake almost in half once while going home was at least 10 to 15 miles from help or cell service and it was 15 dagrees out and about 12 at night

 

Yeah I think you are right. The valley was wet with diesel. Looks I get to pull it all apart and take a look. Is there anyway to diagnose a bad pump?

 

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that the pumps will go for a long time, its other things like not being able to seal causing people to replace these.

 

All good things to look at but the most important is to starat at the brginning. PULL THE FUEL TANKS AND CHECK FOR BROKEN OR CLOGGED FUEL PICKUP SCREENS. this is the most common issue with no fuel.