Test Run on IDI
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
From: Houston USA
Test Run on IDI
Looking at a diesel 1990 F350 truck for sale, not running. Seller is telling me it needs a fuel pump. Is there any easy way to rig up a electric fuel pump to test run the engine to make sure it runs ok before I buy the truck?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
If he means the lift pump then yes, it is just a mechanical pump bolted on the passenger side of the engine. You can take the rubber fuel line off and feed it with an cheap electric lift pump out of a can. You could also just bring a new lift pump, they cost about $27 at Autozone. But honestly if it was just the lift pump, the owner would have done it already and had a running truck to sell. If he means the injection pump that is a whole different story...
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 3
From: North Bend
You don't even need the e pump you can just run a hose into a bucket on the fender and the IP will pull it's own fuel to run. Purging air is a different story, and much easier with the e pump.
If the fuel input hose is like mine, it's pretty easy. It's a metallic hose coming out of the filter inlet, but becomes a rubber hose after a few inches. So it's easy to just cut the hose and insert the e pump, or however you see it best to MacGyver it. Just depends on how many barbs and "T's" you want to use, and how much hose.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 1
From: Houston USA
Seller said he's not a mechanic and doesn't know much about the truck, so he wouldn't know how to change the pump. His son changed out the fuel filter and tried starting, after cranking they checked the filter and didn't see any fuel so they think its the fuel pump. They also said they had the fuel sender off, so I'm thinking it is the lift pump or could be the selector valve. I wouldn't want to buy unless I can hear the thing run, so maybe I could bring along an electric pump and a fuel jug. I don't' want to mess with a bad injector pump though.
BTW, I did have a lift pump go out on an old Cummins, I could still drive it, but as soon as I cut it off it wouldn't' start again.
BTW, I did have a lift pump go out on an old Cummins, I could still drive it, but as soon as I cut it off it wouldn't' start again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
You could just get a 3/8 squeeze bulb and a can of fuel. I bought one at Walmart in the boat section. Hold the Schraeder valve open while pumping it until you get the air out, then loosen as many of the lines at the injectors as you can get to. (5/8" or 16 mm wrench) a half turn is all you need. crank the engine while pumping the bulb. Hold the accelerator to the floor. Crank 20-30 seconds then wait a couple minutes or you will burn up the starter. Good chance you will kill the batteries, so bring a charger and/or a good set of cables.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
It can be very hard to purge the air out of a new filter. I actually had to have someone loosen the filter while I cranked the engine until fuel sprayed out of the filter seat. Then it would start. But the seller of this truck tried a new fuel filter for a reason, so the lift pump may be bad. I still say it sounds a bit fishy. The whole "I'm not a mechanic but I believe it's just xyz cheap part..." is a classic red flag. Just sayin' be careful. The lift pump is two bolts and a couple hose clamps to change out. Perhaps a 15 minute job and you don't have to be a "mechanic" to do it. Some people really are that ignorant about cars and you might land a deal on an easy fix but beware of the other possibility...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,389
Likes: 850
From: Mi'kma'ki
if he can't replace a lift pump to sell a running truck then that's his issue.offer him scrap value + the part value you see only for a vehicle that's not running.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 854
Likes: 49
From: Maine
I think, about best case, is you'll get it to roll over and idle. It seems pretty iffy that you'll get it to the point of a highway test drive before buying it. Buy it for cheap, get it home, and give it a good work up.
Or, find another one that runs.
What is the asking price, as it sets?
Roy
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
As a policy, I never start a "it just needs this" truck at the seller's, even if I think it may be something cheap and quick. I have seen too many cheap trucks turn into free repairs for the seller, then the price either jump way up since it runs now, or no longer for sale.
If the price is good, buy it, then tinker with it. If it cranks over nice and smooth, then get it. Worst case is it's a bunch of parts.
As a side note, these filters need to be filled before installation, most non-diesel people don't know that and condemn other stuff because of their improper installation. It may need nothing.
If the price is good, buy it, then tinker with it. If it cranks over nice and smooth, then get it. Worst case is it's a bunch of parts.
As a side note, these filters need to be filled before installation, most non-diesel people don't know that and condemn other stuff because of their improper installation. It may need nothing.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 27
The IDI is really super simple, Bypass the mech fuel pump and put an EFP on it. Bleed the filter, open a few injector lines at the injector, and it should start, One thing to check is glow plugs and glow plug relay. easy to check glow plugs. But even on a warm day the darn things won't start without the glow plug system working.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,389
Likes: 850
From: Mi'kma'ki
If he's still on the fence with buying this one after four years,Stumblefoot, he'll never have a chance at committing to a relationship with a girl.
Though in this day and age, that may be for the best just the same anyway.
Though in this day and age, that may be for the best just the same anyway.
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