3208 engine running rough
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
3208 engine running rough
i have a cat 3208 engine in my ford F7000 dump truck. right now to start the truck after sitting for a while i have to pump it up using the primer, then go and crack a couple injectors. then it will start, idle nice, and once it warms up, the idle starts to jump up and down really bad, and then the engine will just die out. then i will have to go prime it again and it will fire up and idle rough again and die out. i was over at the acmoc forum and advice i got there was the fuel transfer pump was bad. i need help finding the fuel transfer pump on this engine and any other advice on how to remove it. im pretty sure the injector pump is going bad too as it will smoke bad with a load on it. by bad i mean you cant see anything behind you in the mirror.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
If you mean the little vale on top of the injector pump then yes I have done both open and closed. when open extra fuel hits the ground when priming, when close extra fuel goes back to the tank. and to let you know more, I have taken all the lines off from tank to pump and filter, everything is open and clean. brand new filter too. I did have a algae problem though. large deposit of algea was found in the tank, and I mean large. that's when the truck stalled out first, cranked it for some time after that, nothing, took filter off to find large chunk of algea in it. found more in the tank and cleaned the entire fuel system and used a good amount of fuel treatment for algae.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
More times than not when I see these symptoms on a 3208 it is the Governor Shaft Seal aka Throttle Shaft Seal. They are notorious for this. It can be changed without removing the pump, however it is a PITA.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
Well that sounds a lot better than pulling the injector pump to me. also I was wondering is there another way you can tell its this seal giving out, such as fuel leaking around it or that it might be the cause of my exhaust bein so cloudy when you step on the fuel pedal when its just sitting still.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
The first thing I would do is to install a sight glass in the fuel line right before it goes into the top of the injection pump. This way you can eliminate everything up to that point and eliminate a lot of guessing. Also check everything back to the tank. Is it leaking at the hand pump while priming? If it is, most likely it's sucking air while cranking/running(it's on the suction side).
Other possible causes of air leaks...
loose bleed valves
cracked fuel stand pipe in the fuel tank
lip seal under the electric solenoid
lip seals at front of injection pump behind the drive gear(hidden)
bad anti siphon valve on top of pump
seal at glass bowl fuel/water separator
There are so many little things but these are the most common things to look for...
Remember just because fuel may not leak out doesn't mean air can't be sucked in. I have known folks that installed an electric inline fuel pump as a temporary fix until time permitted. I wouldn't recommend it long term though.
I would also suggest using fresh fuel. Check air intake for dirty filter or blockages from rodent nests etc.
Other possible causes of air leaks...
loose bleed valves
cracked fuel stand pipe in the fuel tank
lip seal under the electric solenoid
lip seals at front of injection pump behind the drive gear(hidden)
bad anti siphon valve on top of pump
seal at glass bowl fuel/water separator
There are so many little things but these are the most common things to look for...
Remember just because fuel may not leak out doesn't mean air can't be sucked in. I have known folks that installed an electric inline fuel pump as a temporary fix until time permitted. I wouldn't recommend it long term though.
I would also suggest using fresh fuel. Check air intake for dirty filter or blockages from rodent nests etc.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
alright well that makes things a little better, rather try and fix a small thing than something huge. can i get the glass sight glass at napa auto parts? the hand primer does leak a little fuel when you prime it but when its tight there is no leak from it. but i probably should replace it since it does have a significant amount of play in it when you prime it. the lines to the tank though i just went through and replaced ones that needed it. but i am going to go with your advice on the sight glass. sounds more practical to me. thanks for helping me out.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
well everyone i am back. the good news, the truck has no more leaks in the valley. started up this year early spring to do some work around the house. truck ran great. lots of power. but after the first day the truck started to surge again with the rpm's jumping up and down, and then the truck quit again. i left it sit for a day, came back and primed it, started up good, but still has the surge. anyways, what do you think it could be now? i am going to guess its the fuel transfer pump? i hope i am wrong, i hope i am really wrong on this...
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento
The fuel (transfer/lift) pump rarely go out on the 3208s. You may want to see if you can borrow a pressure tester, and a vac gauge. Test both sides of the pump. Or... start out with blowing the line out from the pump back to the tank. My hunch is some junk got sucked up the line.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
well i took the fuel filter off today and checked what was in it, found some redness to the fuel so i know i got algae in it, got some fppf kill em at work today changed the fuel filter and filled it half way with the algae killer and gonna let it sit for a couple days, start it, change the filter and do a couple of treatments of that and see what happens. i should also mention, i opened up the old filter and found a large coating of algae on the paper filter part as well as the bottom of the filter base. thinking maybe i should upgrade to a filter with a sight glass on the bottom.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
well i finally have success. i was able to take the fuel lines off the tank, both inlet and outlet side, and put them into a 5 gal can, filled with 3 gal of diesel and a heavy does of algae killer. i ran a couple cycles of that for a couple days. now today, she starts up like a champ, runs good, i can rev the engine and have the idle come back down to normal, i can snap the throttle and the engine come back to normal idle with no jumping around. i gotta thank all to those that helped me through this and kept me away from pulling the transfer pump. you saved me a big headache!! thanks guys! now i just gotta take the tank off and get it flushed. any suggestions on how to clean the tank good?
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown, Pa
i think there might be one place near me. its called Elizabeth radiator. they do radiators and line fuel tanks as well. so i might give them a call and see what they can do.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pat420swed
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
33
Nov 15, 2014 03:05 PM
farminjon
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 7, 2000 04:59 AM