This is my first post, so be gentle.

I have a 1989 F250 with the 7.3 Diesel and a couple hundred thousand miles. The truck has been a champ for the last two years, until this winter it had some hard starting issues. I thought it was frozen filter or fuel lines, but have settled on a fuel leak letting air in after noticing a puddle of diesel under the truck after letting it sit for a few days. Seemed to be dripping from the fuel pump so I swapped that out and replaced the return lines in case air was getting in there. I also added diesel 911 to both fuel tanks.

During the swap of the pump, after the return lines were done, I was bumping the cam around for the new pump and the truck started. That was the last time it fired up for just a second before I shut it down. Since replacing the pump I can't get it to fire up at all, not even a little. I purged and purged (put a fuel line in a cup of diesel and watched air bubble out until it stopped), even placed a diesel soaked rag on the air intake and it won't even give me a little ka-chug. I loosened the injectors and cranked until fuel started spilling out. I think I've gotten 90% of the air out, but what else could be wrong? The 'wait to start' light comes on in the cab before starting and I've already got a battery charger hooked up to help the cranking.

Any help?
thanks,
Nick.

 

Could cam/pump timing be off from install ? Does this truck have a filter under hood ? Some can be a drag to reprime. Is it possible pump isn't making adequate pressure ?

Course, most 13 yo kids know more about everything than i seem to ,currently .

Mostly wanted you to know someone read thread, knowledgeable help should be right along .
Regards,Ed

 

i can't be much help as i've never done fuel pump work on my diesel, but i think you'll find more help on diesel engine related issues in the diesel forums. i'm usually in the early powerstroke forums myself and they're incredibly useful for engine info. i come to this forum for general body, chassis and intererior info, though. ...and for the gasser truck project i'll be starting soon :-)

Though, welcome to FTE and good luck.