How Important Is The 7.3 IDI Fast Idle Solenoid
 

I installed my rebuilt Pensacola Diesel injection pump on my 1991 F-350 today and some how messed up the fast idle solenoid.The rubber cap on the end came off and wont stay on now unless you put something against it.Just how important is this? I'm assuming that its a dealer only item and that its pretty pricey.

The pump removal and installation took a little less than 4 hours and the last 30 minutes were spent getting the injection pump to prime.First I had to go to 3 different parts stores before I could even find a 5/16th 12 point socket to remove the pump drive bolts.

Next weekend I'm tackling the leaking rear hub seals.I got the Ford upgrade kit with a thinner inner bearing,oil slinger,and new seal.This cost $112 per side,but maybe I can now have some rear brakes.Have any of you installed this kit?

The fast idle solenoid is not really important, but it does help some when temps are very low.

Without it, you may find the engine will want to stall for the first couple of minutes when the temps are below zero.

What Dave said, and by "below zero" he means just that, colder than 0F, as I've actually fired my truck without the fast idle solenoid at 5F and she ran, chugged a bit at first but didn't stall. Cold advance was on tho, maybe that helped a bit?

it helps warm the truck up quicker though,even if it doesn't stall without it.
the extra rpms means heat in the cab sooner.
check the price of the thing.sometimes its the small things that make for a more enjoyable ride.
warming up pretty good now,may not be worth messing with until next fall when it's time to check the GP's again.
price and overall condition of the rig will tell if it's worth it or not though.location as well.

Thanks guys.The truck is only used during the warmer months to pull a 25 ft gooseneck trailer so it looks like I can get by without it.

The F-350 has been sitting in the shed all winter and was last used in mid November 2009 when it was 65 degrees.I made an 85 mile round trip that day to pick up an antique John Deere hay baler in eastern Kansas.I usually start the F-350 up once a month on a warmer day.If it stays cold I just plug it in.

If you get by any salvage yards, see what they want for one.

I seem to remember some clear out of sight price for a new one.