1997 F350 stock 7.3 Powerstroke, Auto, 4x4, 160K

My dad called me this morning, says when he started the truck this morning it ran fine for a minute, then died. When he started it back up it ran like a "cold detroit", and it ran that way for 4 miles to his work. He got to work, started his dumptruck, went to park the PSD and it was dead, and wouldnt start. He said the 'Water in fuel / fuel filter' lights were on. Should he just change the fuel filter, or is there something else that should be checked out?

I dont think this has anything to do with it, but, lately there has been an oil leak coming from the top rear of the motor, its been back to the dealship twice, the first time they said the oil pan bolts were loose (They were'nt, we checked em) and the 2nd time they replaced the oil pressure sending unit. It still leaks. Any help is appreciated, Thanks.

 

the dealer cant fix it,unless the truck tells them whats wrong,lol
the mech now a days are to lasy to do any type of work.

 

It isnt even a dealership, just a small used car place. They've been having their underexperienced guys work on it, when my dad takes it back the 3rd time hes going to make them take it to a real diesel shop.

 

Biggest problem with many dealers - they don't believe they make enough money. So they hire people with little or no experience, put them through training (the less the better), then pay them as little as they can get away with until the new mech has enough experience to move on to someplace he can make a living wage.

Then they hire new know-nothing people. Let me see, they make a big markup on cars (even more if the car is in 'demand'), they make a HUGE markup on parts, they charge $60 to $120 per hour shop rates (and pay $7 to $12 per hour for most of their workers), they constantly fix what isn't wrong (and charge for it), and they don't make enough money.

AND, they don't understand why people don't trust them.

 

fordpickup460 i just had this kind of problem with mine. next to your fuel filter there is a lever that will drain the diesel out of the bowl. what will usually happen is water will collect in the fuel water seperater and if you dont draiin the fuel bowl regularly then over time it will fill up. i would also suggest that you put a new filter in, the water could have soaked in to it.

 

Thanks for the replies.

We took the filter out, and the bottom is full of gunk. But....... There is a piece that is under the fuel filter that is broken. Its a 3/4 ring with a little wire hooked up to it. The wire broke. What is this part called and where can I get one? This is the my dads daily driver and we really need it right now so any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

I found out that little part I was talking about is the fuel heater. My dad talked to a guy on the phone who works on PSD's and he said chances are the problem is a bad Cam sensor. Anybody have experience with those?

 

It is possable that it's a crank sensor but if there was water in the fuel it is possable that the injectors got water too and if they did it could be why it runs the way it does. Water can take out an injector in a very short time. All it has to do is set in the injector over night, they can form rust and eat out the plunger and barrel in minutes.

 

You just haven't found the right mechanic.
In all walks of life there are the good and the not so good, from doctors to engineers to lawyers to dentists to preachers to mechanics.

 

2 Suggestions for you.

In original post you mentioned oil leak. have you ck'd the oil level in HPOP? If it's too low it will not start. See the link below for info:
Cat=&Number=2526431&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=3 1&fpart=1#Post2527424

Fuel heater shorted out will blow #22 (30amp) Maxi Fuse. It will not start with this fuse blown. If it's blown unplug fuel heater wire from driver side of fuel bowl.See link below for info/pics. (Note, it's the 2nd wire from top, not top as disscussed in thread)
Cat=&Number=2527851&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=3 1&fpart=1

 

The broken fuel heater is the problem. I'd put money on it. Just fixed a 97 two weeks ago with the exact same symptoms.

 

hey cookie88,nice truck.I really like the blue ovel glow.How did u do that.I would like to do that to my truck,nice look.

 

Thanks. It's called an illumilogo. Most truck accessory type shops carry them. Mine came from www.streetbeatcustoms.com

 

Thanks for the help. Were keeping the fuel heater out and replacing the fuse tonight. Were also cleaning out the bowl with a shopvac with little needle nose attachments. Is there anything I need to know or do before we put the fuel filter back in? This is our first diesel pickup, the other 5 Fords we own are all Gas V8.

 

There is a small hole on the drivers side of the fuel bowl. take a Q-tip and very gently insert it in the hole, there is a screen in there that will have a bunch of crap on it.

insert filter, top off with diesel, or a Diesel addative, and start it up.

Diesel Rod