I've been messing with my ip for awhile, but here's what I currently have. My truck started running like crap one day.
I had fuel problems that I got fixed with all of your help. The truck was running good and starting great. Then one day it started. Couldn't hardly take off when I stopped.
Had to feather the clutch and play with the throttle to take off, even in first gear. With advice from Josh, I filled the fuel filter and even the filter on my carrier pump with atf, started her up and then let it sit overnight. It was better but not right. So I put four quarts of atf in my tank that had less than a quarter tank of fuel. Drove it around for a couple of days and its much better. It has power back but when I first start it, it wanted to die when cold. I adjusted my fast idle solenoid out a little. Once it starts and runs for a minute, it idles fine. It still wants to die if you just let out on the clutch fast. It also has a stiff spot in the pedal. I'm getting a new cable for it but it still has a little bit of a stiff spot in the ip when you take the cable off, not much though. Any suggestions?

 

I wonder what it looks like inside. Have you taken the top cover off? It's held on by just two screws, and then you can look at the throttle-controlling bits of the pump; see if things look clean or cruddy/grimy...
Other than that, I can't tell you much; it sounds like the governor isn't working properly -- that would be what would up the fuel when you add load(letting up on the clutch), and if it's sticky or the spring isn't working right...

 

Thanks Macrobb. I haven't taken the cover off. I'll check that out. I'll probably wait until after the holiday weekend. Taking the camper to the campground, it's not too far away. I pulled the camper down the road and it pulled it fine, just might be a little fun backing it in. Reverse is worse than first as far as dying. But we're going camping! Only went three times last year.

 

Reverse is higher than first. It's more like second, I think.

 

Yeah, you find out when you try to back a loaded trailer uphill. Of course it was a 97 powerstroke with a heavy tractor and a pretty steep hill. Never had any problems with mine until now.

 

Usually what I do in that case is drop the transfer case into 4x4 low.
With the front wheels unlocked, all it does is give me a low range.

 

Didn't have that option. As my buddy says, "two wheel dig"!

 

Hey sorry to hear the truck is still acting funny.

One thing I learned in computer-troubleshooting class was "Hardware first!" Basically, check that the power cord is plugged in, and that it's getting power...that you hit the button, etc. Stupid stuff but if you don't check it you'll kick yourself once you do.

For our IP problems I'd say the equivalent is:
1. Make sure all of your set screws are tight and nothing is loose on the IP. Idle-mixture(torque screw), the retard valve on the side, the arm that actuates it, and I reckon your max fuel screw isn't the issue so leave that.
2. Fuel pressure! Get a meter on the inlet pressure, after the filter(any of the ports on top of the filter head are good for that, I think). I think 6psi is max and 4-5 is better. You'll have to find the numbers elsewhere as I don't have them or the time to search right now...
3. Did you get around to checking your timing? You mentioned you were going to do that with fresh batteries in the Ferret in another post. I've had my timing change over time, not sure if the pump slipped or it was the IP breaking in or what...
Feel free to chip in guys, if I missed anything!

I've never taken the cover off, but that's probably #4 on the list. All I hear about is to be CERTAIN you put it back on correctly, or else you get a runaway engine, only way to cut it is to starve it of fuel or air.

Also, was it running like crap before you started messing with it? Or during the tinkering phase? I'm not clear on the timeline of the events in your opening statements.

Hope this helps,
-Joshua

 

Thanks Josh, the truck was running pretty good. I had air intrusion problems that I finally got fixed and it was running good and then all of a sudden, it started acting up. That's when I started tinkering with it.

 

FINALLY got to time my truck today. Works been extremely good, had to rework my dad's bathroom on the side and go to an open house at a college with my daughter! So when I timed it, I had to retard it quite a bit to get it to 7. Egts are much better and cleared the smoke up. It still wants to die if I just let out on the clutch. Checked everything outside on the ip and took the cover off. Clean inside. Any ideas?

 

It's the governor, I'm sure.
The /right/ thing to do is replace the IP.
The cheap thing to do is adjust the guide-stud on the back of the IP -- This changes how the IP responds when you let off on the throttle.
The stud I'm talking about is a 3/16" screw under a red plastic cap, at the center rear of the IP -- it goes into the center section at the top of the IP, and is what the piece in the center which slides back and forth rides on. You can take that cap off, loosen the 1/2" nut on the screw and try screwing it in a bit -- it may help your problem, but it will likely idle faster as well.

You can also try just keeping at it with the disolvers; let it set for a few days with plenty of ATF in the IP and see if that fixes it more.

 

Thanks Macrobb. I'll try the governor adjustment. I've been adding additive about every other tank. Also did the atf thing once more since my original post. Really don't have the money to replace the ip right now. This ip only has around 30,000 miles on it.

 

last time i got a bad batch of fuel with water in it,i tossed fuel cleaners at it and it got so bad i could hardly drive the truck.just going down the road whenever i let up to let it roll or apply the brakes she'd stall out.i poured in 4 quarts of mercon and the issue was solved almost instantly.