7.3 IDI dies while driving
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
7.3 IDI dies while driving
Recently replaced fuel filter. Truck starts fine and will idle all day if I let it. Once I attempt to drive it the truck will die. Need ideas on troubleshooting. I have a 6.0 but I am weak on 7.3 knowledge. Thank you
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 1
From: CT
Check fuel pressure.
I had a similar problem. Pretty much my whole fuel system decide to crap out all at once. Though i don't think thats your problem. Just don't drive it too much when it does that or you may end up killing the injection pump.
But, the last problem i fixed was fuel starvation after i got the truck to start and not run like butt. I had a hard time with this one. Normally no one suspects the fuel supply and return lines.
I bypassed the fuel selector valve, and the metal hard lines, and also ran a new return line. Works good now.
Does your fuel filter light come on a few minutes before it craps out when driving?
I had a similar problem. Pretty much my whole fuel system decide to crap out all at once. Though i don't think thats your problem. Just don't drive it too much when it does that or you may end up killing the injection pump.
But, the last problem i fixed was fuel starvation after i got the truck to start and not run like butt. I had a hard time with this one. Normally no one suspects the fuel supply and return lines.
I bypassed the fuel selector valve, and the metal hard lines, and also ran a new return line. Works good now.
Does your fuel filter light come on a few minutes before it craps out when driving?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 125
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From: New Albany, In
Many report everything works as it should afterwards.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
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i would guess a bad lift pump or a leak somewhere before it, starving the engine for fuel. the IP can suck enough to get by with a bad lift pump if you're lucky, but won't run well or consistently.
as the others said, check for pressure and/or flow at the schrader valve on the fuel filter housing while its idling. IIRC it should have 5-7PSI and a significant flow, which i'm not sure but i think if might be like a pint in 30 seconds... no, that sounds too small to me - i'll let someone else get detail on that. in any case, you should have a very significant flow from there
as the others said, check for pressure and/or flow at the schrader valve on the fuel filter housing while its idling. IIRC it should have 5-7PSI and a significant flow, which i'm not sure but i think if might be like a pint in 30 seconds... no, that sounds too small to me - i'll let someone else get detail on that. in any case, you should have a very significant flow from there
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 386
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From: Whitestown, IN
I had the same issues. I ran new supply and return lines as well as replaced the lift pump to be on the safe side. Cost me no more than $40 to do it.
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