Fuel Filter Ligh
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Fuel Filter Ligh
Hope someone can help. Have 1997 7.3L w/75,000mi. Filter light came on, ran for about two minutes then sputtered and quit. Let the truck sit over night and then changed the filter. Started without a problem, then while driving the filter light came on, it sputtered and quit. Removed the filter and drained the reservoir. Filled the reservoir with fresh fuel. After truck started, with many attempts, ran for short period and then the fuel light came back on and it sputtered and quit running again.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Texas
Firstly, welcome to the site. 75k is really low miles, did you buy the truck new or get really lucky shopping? Second, when you changed the fuel filter, did you clean the little screen inside the fuel bowl leading to the FPR? It can accumulate debris there that can restrict flow. Also, was there any water in the bowl when you drained it? Did you switch fuel tanks and use one that hadn't been used in a while? There are a few possible causes, with a few questions and input from some members more knowledgable than I, we can get you rolling strong again.
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Yea, got really lucky. Have had the truck for four years now, had 58,000 when I bought it, the guy I bought it from was a oral surgeon and only drove it to Yellowstone and back for snowmobile trips.
When I changed the filter I didn't notice anywater in the fuel, although I wasn't looking for any either. The tank that the fuel was coming from has been used and was not on empty. There is some silt in the bottom of the reservoir, should I drain the reservoir and clean it out with carb cleanera nd then refill?
When I changed the filter I didn't notice anywater in the fuel, although I wasn't looking for any either. The tank that the fuel was coming from has been used and was not on empty. There is some silt in the bottom of the reservoir, should I drain the reservoir and clean it out with carb cleanera nd then refill?
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Texas
If there is some deposits on the bottom of the fuel bowl you will probably want to clean that out. Make certain to use nice clean no lint shop towels and if you do use brake cleaner (don't know if that's necessary), I probably wouldn't spray the brake cleaner directly into the bowl, spray it onto the rag (sparingly). You probably most definitely have some debris build up on the screen as well, cut the cotton tip off of a Q-tip and use the cut off end to gently remove any debis that has accumulated on it. I stress the 'gently' part. Does anybody know if the brake cleaner is a bad idea?
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Thanks, wasn't aware of that. Wouldn't want to break that sucker off. If cleaning doesn't work, is it possible that the sensor could be bad, or would the fuel filter light stay on all the time if that was the case?
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Grantsburg,WI
Is it cold where your at? My 97 gelled up night before last. Changed the filter. Exact same symptoms as you. I put 911 in the tank and waited over night. ran but the light flickered and then came on solid. I got 5 gallons of #1 diesel and put that in the tank then just let it idle for an hour. Runs good now. Got a bad blend of fuel i guess.
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Yea, somewhat cold. It hasn't got any colder than 10. Never had the problem of fuel gelling. With fuel gell will it start easily? Because mine starts easy but fails two or three minutes into run time.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Michigan
whats the filter look like when you removed it? did it have chunks? whats your fuel pressure? check while cranking it over, using the little tap on the driver side of the fuel filter can. some people say you can use a tire pressure gauge to check it but thats lame imo, and it ruins the gauge and makes a mess. best way is the right tool for the job. fuel injection pressure gauge are not that expensive. you should be having 40psi fuel pressure or better. I dont think I would spray anything into the filter can unless you remove it from the engine and turn it upside down.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
If you are only driving 4500 miles a year, when did you buy the fuel that is in that tank?
Summer fuel at 10 degrees, probably gelled.
The filter heater will warm the fuel in the filter housing and let the engine start.
But wax in the fuel lines from the tank, runs out of fuel.
Summer fuel in my plow truck in 10 degree temps got me two weeks ago.
Fortunately I was plowing Advance Auto's parking lot when it did.
Summer fuel at 10 degrees, probably gelled.
The filter heater will warm the fuel in the filter housing and let the engine start.
But wax in the fuel lines from the tank, runs out of fuel.
Summer fuel in my plow truck in 10 degree temps got me two weeks ago.
Fortunately I was plowing Advance Auto's parking lot when it did.
Elder User
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From: Grantsburg,WI
Ahh good point Dave. My truck the light would go off at idle and this was after I changed the filter. I figured that the heater may be heating the fuel enough to ungell it at Idle but coudn't keep up at higher RPMs. Figure the heater must be working because this summer I rebuilt everything in my canister. It would flicker when I drove it and when I went faster it would stay on. Come to a stop and it would go off again. Then I put the # 1 in.
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