I have a 97 F350 4x4 Auto trans that up until yesterday has run great. I got in it to go to work yesterday morning (temp below 40) and truck started fine. I let it idle for about 2 or 3 min's (in a hurry or I let it idle for 5) and made it about 400 yards down the road and it started to stall. It died slow, not like you turned off the key, but like it was staving for fuel (both tanks are at 1/4). I tried to switch the tanks and it still would not start. I got it home and changed the batteries (needed them anyways), could an almost dead battery cause it to die? Any help would be great.

 

Hi dozer99!!! WELCOME TO FTE!!!
OIL!!! It sounds funny but ya need good oil for our machines to run properly. I am not sayen that you are a bad oil tenderer but it does make a difference in a big way. When was yer last oil change???

 

I'm right at 5K on the current oil, and yes it was a little low, right at the add line. Is there a sensor that will shut it down if the oil gets to low?

 

could be your fuel filter

 

There may be a problem if you don't have enough oil. do you smoke at all? Have you had a problem before? What where the symptoms before the problem came evident?

 

no ""LOW OIL" shut off switch

 

fuel filter is on top of the motor. Use a large screw driver to loosen the lid.

 

Will check the fuel filter and let you know. No "low Oil" light, topped the oil off yesterday when i got it home. It never really had any symptoms before this. It ran fine for the first 300 or so yards then it started to lag, no power, then died. It cranks over fine but no will start. What am i looking for with the fuel filter?
Thanks for your help guys.

 

Look to see how dirty it is. When did you change it last? there is a fuel filter light that comes on in the dash lights but mine doesn't come on any more. If you pull the filter off and put it back in it might start and run a little while. I'm not sure how to tell other than change it. If its an emergency one time I took a nail and tore a small hole in it just to get home. That could also work. If that's not it keep getting back to us the people here will figure it out. They know just about everything about these trucks and are happy to help. don't start throwing money at it yet.

 

I used to gel up often years ago when it got way below zero. but they must do a better job at blending the fuel up north here. Not that gelling is your problem at 40 degrees. but it reminds me of those times.

 

Ok, so I pulled the fuel filter out and just running my finger over it, it looks pretty gummed up. I'll go get a replacement when the wife gets home from work and I'll let ya know if that fixed the problem. There is plenty of fuel in the bowl, so that might just be it.

 

OK, How many miles ya got on your 97. Ive got a 97 F350 also 250,000 Great truck!

 

When you try to start your truck does the tachometer read any RPM's?
Does it blow any white smoke when you try to start it?

 

I'm at 174,000 miles so far. I use it for a daily driver plus I tow a 3 horse slant on the weekends. Also twice a month I load about 20 or so bales of hay/alfalfa on it for our horses. It never blows white smoke, but if i stick my foot in it, bring on the black smoke. So far it's been a great truck. I also have a 86 F250 6.9l as my back up, which is sitting on jack stands right now (re-doing the rear breaks).

 

What I mean is, I think that white smoke and no start could mean you are getting fuel.
If your tachometer is not moving (no RPM's) when you are turning the motor over to start it, then it could be your CPS(camshaft positioning sensor) from what I understand with my limited knowledge.