Hello guys i am now a member to this sight as of 10 mins ago would like to thank you guys in advance for any help you may have,and look forward to talking with you guys. to start off im looking at buying a 97 f-250 (psd) from a buddy of mine. it currently has 208,000 on it with a auto trans 4x4. it was his daily intell last week when it started to spit and sputter at 65mph and shut off, so he pulled over tried to crank it and it started for a few seconds but spitten and spuddering and the shut off. he said he check fuel filter bowl on top of motar but was empty, manualy filled bowl back up and tried again but did not start. so he then openend the valve on warter seperator cut the key on and fuel came out but doesnt know how much pressure and if that was just rezidral left in warter seperator? he did say the wait to start light is operateing normal and has no codes or check engine light. will be check to see if rpm gauge move when trying to crank. whats your thoughts? thanks again guys

 

Welcome to FTE !

If the fuel bowl was empty then it's most likely a bad fuel pump.

If the fuel level is below a 1/4 tank add some fuel and try again.

 

thanks bud thats what i was thinking myself but new to the desiel life. Correct me if im wrong but isnt there a like a tire valve stem type deal on the top of motar on the press regulator? if so what kind of pressure should i have there and at what point, key on/turning over? if i do not have this were do i check my presure?

 

Yes it's called a schreader valve.

Yiu can use a stick style tire gauge to check fuel psi.
Put the gauge on it while someone else cranks over the engine.


You need a min of 20psi, 10.5 cranking volts, 100 rpm and 500psi of high pressure oil (HPO)

 

Great example, will be very helpfull now and in future. Do you know what kind of pressure i should have when turning over?

 

You need 20psi for it to start but you want around 65psi

 

thanks bud will try this and get back to you

 

amd also is there any way you could email me a copy of that book you found on your 97

 

Welcome to FTE!
These trucks have mechanical fuel pumps, so just turning the key on will not give you any pressure. the engine has to be turning over. A lot of us put electric fuel systems on these trucks, but if you still have the fuel bowl, then you still have the stock mechanical pump.

 

so if i turn over what should be my presure and were at thanks bud

 

I can. Email me and I'll send it to you.


This email will be removed in 10mins

 

What Mike said ^^^^^^

 

You test the pressure at the schreader valve
You need 20psi for it to run
But you want 65psi

 

The tack does not move when turine over?

 

The tach is supposed to move when cranking. If it doesn't, then that's another problem; Cam Position Sensor, or CPS. Motorcraft or IH brand only, NO OTHERS, PERIOD.

I'm going to x2 that you should see what level the fuel tank is showing and if it's anywhere near 1/4 tank, take a 5 gallon tank and put some more fuel into it. Then, see if it will fill up the fuel bowl. If that works, don't ever let the fuel tank get close to 1/4 tank again, unless you feel like dropping it and fixing the fuel pickup, a.k.a. "showerhead".