I have a 2003 6.0 with 230,000 miles. Back in march I "bulletproofed" it. Did all the work myself, so I know it was done meticulously and clean. About a month ago, I started having issues with very little power at WOT. It drove great up to about 3/4 throttle, but as soon as I opened it up it would bog down like a fuel starvation issue. I suspected low fuel pressure (have upgraded regulator spring). The truck is a DD for the wifey so she takes good care of it. She watches all the gauges like she is supposed to (So she says). Well this low power at WOT throttle persisted for about two weeks. Changed the fuel filters, didn't help.

Last week while driving to pick up the horse trailer the truck lost all power at all throttle positions and coasted to a rough idle in the driveway. I towed it back home and checked the fuel filters, added diesel. The truck wouldn't start. After trying to diagnose the issues for a few days, I have come up with some information. See if any of you Savvy techs can help me out. I am stumped...

The truck turns over strong, about every 2 cranks it will fire and run for 3-5 seconds at a rough idle. Then putters out. It really felt like a lack of fuel issue so I replaced the HFCM. After I replaced it, it cranked and idled for about 5 minutes. I put her in gear and she died. Fuel bowl fills quickly. I checked for injector leaks using the balloon test. Nothing showed up. The FICM tested good, but I replaced with a spare just in case. Still wouldn't run more than a few seconds.

I was getting a P2290- ICP low, but after unplugging the ICP and trying to start, the code hasn't come back.

I have a scangauge II and the readings while cranking are as follows:

ICP: 670psi
IPR: 75%
FICM: 47.5V
BATT: 12.5V
TPS is accurate
Both SYNC's are good

I'm not getting any other codes using my scangauge or my SCT. Sometimes it will start and run for 15-20 seconds at a rough idle. No throttle response at all. Then it will die like its starving for fuel.

I am stumped and I need help figuring this out. Any suggestions on what to test, what to look for/listen for?



Thanks in advance

 

Well those reading indicate to me that it should start like it is, but what is changing when it dies? Do you have anything to monitor fuel pressure?

 

I agree, the numbers look right. I have a fuel pressure gauge waiting to be hooked up but I had to order the adapter piece to make it fit in the test port. I will probably be able to get that reading tomorrow afternoon.

When it actually cranks and starts to fire on its own it just sounds like its running out of fuel.

When it doesn't start to fire on its own, it turns over about 5 times, then the pitch changes to kind of a glug. Sounds like an old carbed gasser trying to start without a choke.

 

When you did your fuel filters did you use OEM or another brand? I only ask because when I used a fram fuel filter for my secondary filter. The fuel return part inside the housing broke. It did not affect my driveability yet but if the piece would of broke a little further down it would of messed up the little plunger on the spring inside and im not sure what the outcome would of been. If you did not use oem filters it might be worth taking the secondary filter off and looking inside it for broken plastic. I have heard that piece will mess with the fuel pressure if it is broken. cant wait to hear what the fuel pressure is, it sounds like you are on the right track.

 

P2290 indicates a HPO problem even though your cranking values are good. Unhooking the ICP sensor won't alleviate a true HPO problem, it just takes a bad ICP sensor out of the equation and it sounds like yours is good. Hook it back up and see if you don't have a P2291 appear.

Check the IPR valve/screen and air test the system if the valve screen looks good. I don't believe you have a fuel problem.

 

Sorry to butt in but may help op also . I'm pulling ipr this afternoon if the screen is dirty can it be cleaned or do I need a new one?

 

Welcome to FTE bigbeariron Short note: 48v at the FICM does not indicate it is working. You have 2 parts, upper and lower half, the lower half could be toast and still read 48v. Nice you had a spare to rule that possibility out.

 

Dukie- I did use OEM filters, always have. I have checked that housing up and down and inside out for cracks or any misplaced pieces. Everything looks normal.

npccpartsman- My next place to check was the IPR. I have just been avoiding it like the plague because I don't have the special socket, and I have an '03 vintage. The thing is tucked away underneath the intake manifold and there is no way to get an adjustable wrench to it. Looks like I might have to bite the bullet and buy the tool. I'm sure it will come in handy a few more times.

Maxium4x4- Thanks for the welcome. I have been lurking this forum for a long long time now. It is definitely the most tech savvy ford forum on the interwebs. Luckily, I have a whole spare (running) truck sitting right next to mine. It is waiting on a head gasket repair, and I was supposed to start on it last week. I guess my truck decided she was jealous that I was gonna be waist deep under someone else's hood. So she decided to stop running so that I would have to spend more time with her...

 

Ordered my socket from Napa last night for 30 figure safer and quicker than modify my own! Good luck

 

Farmer- do you have a part #? I have looked all over the NAPA website and cannnot find anything. Thanks

 

I can get it soon . Have to talk to Napa salesman and order and they should have it next day . I will go pick mine up in hour or so and can get info back to you.

 

The part # for the Lisle is 68210. Got mine from a parts store for $20 plus tax.

 

Thanks, just ordered it from Amazon. It will be here tomorrow $25 for the tool and free next day shipping with PRIME. I'm getting hooked on that site.

BTW.. I just bought a new ICP sensor pigtail because mine was in pretty bad shape. I found a few cross references that will save a few dollars if anyone runs across this and needs a new pigtail.

Part nos.
GM: 12102748
Delco: PT375
Pico: 5643PT

The prices I found on this range from $7-25 dollars. Got it at NAPA for $16. Much better than fords pricing. Comes with connectors.

 

my vote goes for failed high side pump. but thats more of a semi-random guess.

 

Well they failed to order my socket last night so I guess I'm going to put things back together and hope I can pull the ipr with turbo in with the socket . Has anyone else done it that way? Is that the way you are trying it bigbear? Let me know how it works