Yes I agree. I have multiple problems. I think I have some injectors that are either bad, or the O-rings are. I have the O-ring kits, I guess I will do them all if I can't get some more help. I just have a hard time seeing how the injectors themselves could be damaged with the mileage on this truck, but I guess if you neglect one of these things enough, it is possible. Who knows what this truck has been through...

The only thing that makes me shy away from the idea that it could be a glow plug problem, is that it has been doing the same thing in 60 - 70+° temperatures. The consensus seems to be that anything above 50° and a healthy 7.3 will start without glow plugs. Plus, I did back probe the GP leads coming from the GPCM and they are all hot when you turn the key on. Now, I don't know about what is happening past the gasket connector but I replaced the gasket, UVC harness, and all 4 glow plugs on the passenger side, and it had absolutely no effect on anything.

Like I said- the #2, 6 and 7 injectors do sound a lot different in the buzz test. Does anyone know if that means anything?

End Game
 

Well I finally had a chance to work on it some more. I pulled the drivers side valve cover off, removed the glow plugs, and ran a compression check.

#2 - 350 psi
#4 - 390 psi
#6 - 220 psi
#8 - 200 psi

So that pretty much tells the story, doesn't it? After this, a close look at the turbo impeller shows eroded corners on the fins and the general appearance of what I have learned is dust ingestion. This thing ate california dust through a busted air box for too long....

I think F350-6 knew something like this was going to be the final word, and thats why he stopped replying. He didn't want to be the messenger.

Where are you located?

You got the same problems as me! Mine has ~ 380+ lbs of compression on all 8 cylinders. It'll fire up and run rough till it warms up. No smoke except when it first lights off.

No codes either... full of fuel or low on fuel it doesn't matter. It's even done the running rough then dies thing a few times... had it towed and it finally cranked after the tech cranked it for a few minutes. Even he couldn't find anything wrong with it. I have a friend with the AE stuff so I'll start fooling with it some more. Changed CPS, no difference. The HPOP did leak down when it sat for a month or so without being started.

Shop says injectors are fine, even when ice cold... They've changed 2 though over the last 2 years and the problem has gotten slightly better each time. My guy just doesn't like changing parts unless parts fail the tests he performs.

I'm thinking injectors or o-rings. I'm just too poor to change the other 6 right now. It's not my daily truck so I'm good for now until I can afford to fix it...

I'm also planning on the in-tank mods soon. That's cheap to do and may make a difference with some possible air intrusion.

Well thats an odd coincidence. I live on the northshore, just north of Slidell.

Yeah yours sounds like you may actually have an injector o-ring problem, but I'm by far not the most authoritative diagnostician here for such questions.

You have good, healthy compression though, unlike me. :-X15

You got the shaft from the guys that sold it to you. If you need a new engine get in touch with Clay or Ed and they can hook you up.

Yep thats exactly what happened, and yeah, I need an engine. I can't afford a new or rebuilt one, but I need something fully assembled that I can put in on a weekend. I'm not too worried about miles if it's a healthy engine with a good fuel system.

You never know what you are going to get used. So be careful going that route. Hope things work out for you.

There is a used 7.3 engine on craigslist for around $600. I think it's missing the turbo.

Also, there is a 02 F250 on the northshore (Mandeville I think) for around $4K. Needs a turbo... Not sure if either of those will help you or not.


There's a guy around Bogalusa that works on the 7.3s. I can try and find his name and shop if you like.