Hey guys first post and i need some help. I've google searched a lot based on what its doing and really haven't had anything i could relate to. I was on the way home from work yesterday and out of nowhere it was like it reduced power on me and it sounded like i was only running on a few cylinders. Kind of like a loud obnoxious engine noise with barely any power. I pulled over on the side of the road and it died on me. I got it to crank back up once again and same loud knock/rattle noise and could only keep it going with my foot in the floor till eventually it gave out or died out again. Im no master diesel mechanic but i know a thing or two about cars and trucks. First thing i could think of was maybe my fuel pump was done, but i turn the key to the on position and hums and builds pressure. Also checked fuel filter and hit the release valve and i have a stream of diesel coming out so all is good there. So i had the truck towed to the house and today it would turn the motor and would hiccup like it was trying to start but no fire off. I know there are lots of sensors on the truck and ive read up on a few but the symptoms involved dont really sound like what my truck is doing. I'm getting on this forum to ask any of you 7.3 owners if your truck has done anything like this. Y'all are my last hope before i have to take it in to the dealer and spend alot more mulah. Any help would be greatly appreciated and God Bless.

 

First of all, welcome to FTE. We'll get you running ASAP. We'll need some specifics about your truck. Year, Mode,l Miles any modifications. How old is the oil and is it full? When you say it has fuel pressure are you checking it with a guage or just assuming that it has ENOUGH pressure to make it run, not just pressure to fill the filter bowl.
lets get started

Barney

 

Second of all, don't take it to a dealer. There are too many horror stories on this forum of people that paid way too much for a missed diagnosis and/or unnecessarily replaced parts.

My first thought is that the engine might be running on 4 cylinders. There is a 9 pin connector on the inboard side of each valve cover that supplies voltage to the glow plugs and fuel injectors. Make sure that each connector is seated properly.

There are several good no start/hard start threads here, and someone with more knowledge than me will probably be along soon with more advice.

 

How is your engine oiil level?

 

^^^what he said. I had the same exact problem when I got my first 7.3 diesel. Your injectors are mechanically driven by high pressure oil. Low oil demonstrates a fuel pressure issue. Think of them as an old fashioned water driven sawmill. Long intervals between oil changes (+10k miles) will do the same.

 

My first thought is UVCH loose, my second is maybe trash in the fuel pick-up in the tank. That is a distant second though. So I agree with landmobil, that being said, Barney has you headed in the right direction as far as getting us more information on the truck and where are you located? We may have someone close by with an AE that can scan your truck and get some real diagnostics going on.

 

Thanks for the responses guys, its a 2000 crew cab f250 7.3 with 265,000 miles. I haven't had the truck but for maybe two years and up until yesterday has been absolutely flawless. I use Delo heavy duty oil and when i checked it yesterday via problem- it was low on the dipstick. I had just changed the oil maybe a month ago, and I try to do all my repairs myself. I like saving money and dont trust dealers too much. As far as the fuel pressure i dont know any other way of checking that other than if it fills the fuel bowl and can get a stream. I'm relatively new to diesel repairs so im a bit of a newb as of right now. Thanks Guys

 

BTW im located in Montgomery AL

 

How low on the dipstick....like off the dipstick low? If just low but still reading on stick its not the issue.

 

i'm thinking like jason, first thought was also UVCH. easy enough to check with ohm meter. maybe some one can post up a how too for ya.

 

on the dipstick maybe half way up between bottom of stick and low indicator line. I've already added some oil to it. I tried to start it again a little while ago and it turns and hiccups but wont fire off. Is the UVCH hard to get to?

 

this will tell you all about your choice's

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...light=0.50+mod

 

Are you getting a service engine light?

If not it's not likely a UVCH issue...

I would check the ICP sensor for oil, and also try starting with it unplugged. You will get a SES light but should still start.

I would also check to make sure the tin nut is on the IPR.

 

+1, sounds like a bad ICP sensor. Unplug it and I bet it starts.

Avoid aftermarket ones (had bad experiences), spend the coin and buy from the dealer.

 

Or save some coin and get it from Clay. Might as well introduce him to Riffraff as he likes to do his own work. Like Pioneer said, unplug the icp and see if the connector has oil in it. If it does its shot. The truck should start with it unpluged. Like the guys said above, uvch, clogged fuel pick up, start with those.