ok i'm buying a 1988 f-250 from my buddy and need some help before i buy it. one it's a 7.3 non-turbo 5 speed and it dont wanna run, it smokes alott and cranks for like 30-45 secounds before she kicks over, once it is running it sounds strong other than the plooms of smoke she poors. i have been told by another friend it is only running so poor becouse the fuel systam needs redone on it.

so what do you guys think is making it snoke so bad and not wanna start. i realy want to go get it, but first id like to have an idea exactly whats wrong with it.

 

Sounds like there is air in the fuel system.

There are a couple way to fix it

 

that would make sence becouse the fuel line is rusty-rusty, so i bet she leaks a bit. that will make it run like ****??
so most likly if i redo the fuel system that sould fix it, ok but how do i bleed out the air in the stystem.

 

Sound like injectors and IP are worn, hard starting could also be due to bad glow plugs. Ask him what brand glow plugs he put in. If he says anything but motorcraft/beru, run the other way.

BTW: Posting this in the IDI section will get you much more responses.

 

whats the ip, and i think the glow plugs are stock. either way i can replace those's.

 

how many miles on that 7.3L? I'd be leary of smoke plooms out the end... He could have bad blow by and be burning up his oil... but i'd personally trust brad more than me!

 

Ip - fuel injection pump. Gp's are a easy swap, can be done in 45 minutes. Nothing to be wary about smoke on the IDI's, most do that when a injector goes, IP goes, timing is too retarded, or blown headgasket.

BTW: how many miles?

 

she holds coolant and has a new rdaiater. i had one already with a popped head gaskets, so i aked if she held coolant and he said yes. as for the miles it has 170,000 on it.

i heard the injector pumps are realy hard to do, is that true. replacing the ip scars me more than anything.

 

I can't belive no one has asked what is the color of the smoke?? it is white just before it fires up or white then change to blue after it is running?

 

it's white smoke, when you fire it up she puffs black smoke for just a secound and then it turns white.

 

Id say you are running too hot then. Could be timing or a bad IP. IP swaps are easy, dont let them scare you.

 

I would look over the fuel lines real good before you start worrying about injection pumps or injectors. Any air in the fuel will cause it to run like shiet and smoke alot. Check the lines from the tank to the lift pump, up to the injection pump, and also from the pump to the injectors. Any leaks will cause air in the fuel, and a hard start condition.

 

Agreed on checking the fuel system first. Start with that, test it, if it still smokes service the glow plugs, test it, still smokes test and replace injectors as necessary, test engine, then rebuild or replace the IP. At some point in there you will have the truck running very nicely (if it is indeed white smoke and it does hold coolant).

As far as a purchasing decision goes, you're buying a 20+ year old truck that needs work. Set a reasonable price, keep that in mind, and have some fun.

 

ya she leaks fuel so the lines are definatly shot, i geuss i'll go ahead and buy it then. also it has 180,000 miles on it, what kinda life can i expect from the engine.

 

Another 180K. Retern lines can make it start like crap but it will not continue to smoke once the air is out of the system.