Howdy folks. I usually stick around the 73-79 and bronco forums but I just bought my first diesel pickup, a 1990 (I believe, thats what the seller said its a '90, but I will verify that when I pick the truck up. It is a 7.3 backed by a zf5 transmission and it is a 4x4. The lift pump is bad, it needs batteries, likely has air in the fuel lines and needs the correct coolant pronto. I will pick up the necessary components as I go. I only paid $500 for the truck, so I am willing to do a little work on it.

The PO says he was driving the truck and the next day when he tried to start it, it ran weakly and died. Further attempts to start the truck resulted in sputtering and eventually no fire. Does this sound like a failed lift pump to you?

Thanks in advance!

 

How much fuel is in it?

 

No batteries when I looked at it, but I am hoping, in a way, less than 1/4 tank. If that's the case, I will have to fill it with fuel, and bleed the injector lines of air while cranking, correct?

 

Sounds like you got a screamin deal on a truck that ought to be easily fixed, and cheaply. Could be anything from the fuel pickup breaking off, to bad lift pump, to bad o-rings. All of which are cheaper than $25 and dont take more than an hour or two to fix.

 

OUTSTANDING! I am no stranger to diesels, but I am a stranger to these IDI engines. I will have to pick up a repair manual. I am excited to get going on this truck.

 

Told you dewd. These guys love trucks and helping guys with trucks! The pick up tubes tend to rust off in the fuel tank. Gets below a quarter of a tank, causes problems. Try putting some fuel in it and checking the filter first, then go from there.

 

Duly noted. Some buds and I need to repair the car trailer before picking it up. After I do get it home though, we will be off to the races!

 

Make sure that you have fuel coming up to the filter first.

 

You got it. So if I have adequate fuel, and still no fuel getting to the filter, it is safe to consider the lift pump faulty?

 

Yes. I guess the best thing to do, after you try putting fuel in it, is to take some fuel line, connect it to the tank side of the lift pump and stick it in some diesel in a jug. That eliminates everything from pump back.

 

Buy one of these ford certified CD's. You can copy the PDF to your computer and CTRL+F to search. it's what I do all the time. Way better than crap like Chilton or Haynes.

FORD 1990 Bronco, Econoline, F150-F350 & Super Duty Pick Up Truck Shop Manual CD | eBay

 

before trying to start it, pull the dipstick and see if it is overfull and if the oil smells like diesel. when the diaphragm in the lift pump goes bad it tends to fill the oil pan with diesel.

 

I checked the oil before I bought the truck, and it was at the proper level, and smelled fine, so I don't think there is any fuel in the pan.

 

good deal. my bet is it simply ran out of fuel due to a cracked in tank pickup tube.