Hi all,

I'm also new to posting here, although I've come here for much-appreciated help over the past year. Thanks for that!

I have a '95 F350 7.3 turbo diesel. I bought it used (one previous, meticulous owner). It has only 149,900 miles. It runs pretty well in warmer weather and when run on a regular (at least 2x/wk) basis. However, when left to sit more than a couple days, or when colder than about 40* F, it behaves like it is starved for fuel. It starts up fine. I let it idle while I harness my team of horses, so it warms up before hauling - but often will "chug," jerking the whole truck for at least the first 30 minutes of actual driving. Last week, the "check engine" light came on when going up the first hill on the highway. I had to downshift to maintain fuel flow. It chugged it's usual time after that, then was fine the rest of the day. I also let it idle while I unload. I've heard that the turbo needs to warm up and cool down?

I am a very conservative driver (read "grandma equivelent") - don't race through the gears when starting out, keep it in a lower gear up steep hills, etc. I have almost a mile of gravel before I hit the highway, and usually creep along in 1st or 2nd to keep the RPMs above 1500. I don't go over 2500 RPM while accelerating or along the highway. I pull a 28' triple axle trailer, with two draft horses and a carriage - always by myself. I change the oil & filter and fuel filter about every 3,000 miles. I recently ran a can of SeaFoam through each tank, and I use diesel additive with each fill-up. I used the "water in fuel" valve and I don't think there is water in there.

I have blown the PCM fuse twice in the past month, as well, but the "chugging" has been going on much longer than that. I'm wondering if the PCM relay is going out - causing the fuel pump to miss???

This suummer, my hubby and I replaced the clutch and converted it to a single flywheel. He is a good mechanic, but not inclined to happily or readily help me since it's my truck that I use (exclusively) for my "horse crap." I am not as good as he is, but can do some stuff by myself. I am new to diesel engines.

Any ideas on where to start??? I love the beast, it is a hauling machine - but am frustrated by it's rough ride. Being female - most shops treat me like I'm an idiot and/or take advantage. I'd like to do what I can at home.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Welcome to FTE !

Since the CEL came on take it to a shop and have the codes pulled. Make them give you the code and let us know what it is.

 

Thanks!

And thanks for the suggestion. The light was only on for about 10 seconds, when it was trying to stall. It went out when I downshifted and has never come back on since. Would there still be a code associated with that?

 

Welcome to FTE. Have you changed the CPS (cam position sensor) in it? They are know to go bad in these trucks. But what was said already get the codes read. Also it sounds like you need to unplug your fuel bowl heater since it keeps blowing the pcm fuse. The fuel pump is mecanical on these truck so it wouldent cut out, unless it is going bad. Does it leak any fuel? Edit. im not saying the cps is your problem just wanted to let you know they commonly fail on these trucks. And the code should be stored too.

 

So the PCM fuse thing is likely your fuel bowl heater shorting against the wall of the filter housing.

I'd replace it with the Dorman replacement (not the ford one). it's really easy.

As for the fuel pump, unless you have converted to e-fuel, it's mechanical, not electric.

As for the ride, is it 2wd or 4x4?

I would try to get some codes pulled cause even if there is no light now it should have stored something.

Many standard scanners will not work with our trucks so it is worth getting one of your own.

keep an eye out on craigs list for a snap-on MT2500 scanner. they are really powerful and can often be had for less than $200 as they are fairly outdated at this point.

Richard

 

Wow - thanks for all the suggestions!

I'll take it in to have the codes read.

I have not replaced the CPS, nor has it been replaced to my knowledge. I just read about those on another thread - seems it's worth starting there and keeping a spare.

I'll also unplug the fuel bowl heater - I read about that a minute ago,too. I LOVE this place!!!

Didn't know the fuel pump stuff - thanks.

The rough ride I was referring to was from the engine "chugging" and jerking the whole rig... sorry for the confusion. It is a 2wd, though - dually. Just got new tires and a front-end alignment with a cam shim inserted. Ughhh.

I'll also keep my eye out for one of those scanners.

How difficult/much time would it take me to rebuild the fuel filter bowl and put new o-rings in and clean the screens? Could that be part of the problem? I was just reading about that, too. Perhaps I can try to tackle that in the spring. We just got hit last night with our first blizzard of the year.... my repair-ability is on hold til warmer weather now.

Thanks again, guys!!!

 

The fuel bowl rebuild is not hard... just follow instructions and take it step by step.

I did mine in a day... took just as long to pull it out as it did to rebuild it.

here is a link to the instructions...

http://www.dieselorings.com/docs/OBSFuelBowlRebuild.pdf

if you decide to pull the bowl be sure you get the 3 replacement hoses and use clamps that wont dig into the hose.

 

Thanks! I have it saved for this spring.

Dionne

 

What part of Nebraska?

 

Southeast - Nebraska City area

 

I used to live in Kearney for seventeen years, my daughters in Elkhorn.

Welcome!

 

Very cool! I go to both those places fairly frequently. I was up in Blair last weekend giving carriage rides, went right by Elkhorn.

Thank you!