When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Was on a long family trip and after about 6 hrs of driving noticed a bit of smoke when we started it after fueling. This went away pretty quick. Later we shut if off and the smoke was much worse when starting it and it ran really rough and the water in fuel light came on. We drained the fuel bowl and the light went off. But then every time we would start it the smoke and rough running would get worse and worse until it was almost unstartable. You had to rev it pretty high while starting to get it to smooth out. Once driving it was fine (no light, etc). We drained the fuel bowl again several times. We were far from home so finally it got so bad that we just left the truck on pretty much the entire time day we came home which was interesting at some gas stations.
No check engine light at any time during all of this.
We figured that if we had water in the fuel that draining the bowl should do the trick. And why does it run fine once you get it started? Suggestions on what's going on and how to fix?
Any ideas here? Happened to other folks that it wouldn't start right but then would drive fine once started with no check engine light or water in fuel light?
Was on a long family trip and after about 6 hrs of driving noticed a bit of smoke when we started it after fueling. This went away pretty quick. Later we shut if off and the smoke was much worse when starting it and it ran really rough and the water in fuel light came on. We drained the fuel bowl and the light went off. But then every time we would start it the smoke and rough running would get worse and worse until it was almost unstartable. You had to rev it pretty high while starting to get it to smooth out. Once driving it was fine (no light, etc). We drained the fuel bowl again several times. We were far from home so finally it got so bad that we just left the truck on pretty much the entire time day we came home which was interesting at some gas stations.
No check engine light at any time during all of this.
We figured that if we had water in the fuel that draining the bowl should do the trick. And why does it run fine once you get it started? Suggestions on what's going on and how to fix?
2001 F-250 7.3 with no mods
How long have you had this truck. Has this done this before?
First off.... when me, myself, 'I'... go on a long trip and stop to fuel up (or if someone stays with the truck) I will never shut it off.... Let it idle when stopped for fuel. I have let my truck run well over 12hrs a day before and will do it again. I have a camper and fuel up at truck stops.
It does sound as though you may have had water in the fuel. May have been a not so good Fuel station to get fuel. But, also.... how cold was it? Does your Glow Plug Relay work? Are all of your Glow Plugs working. Put some additive in the fuel tank to dry up the moisture that you think may be in there. You may have to run several tanks of fuel through it to get most of the moisture out.
Other suggestions will come along. Let us know how it is coming along.
Truck has never done this before. Came out of the blue.
I can check the glow plugs and relay. No problems so far starting in cold though as long as I plug it in at night.
Currently I'm going through the whole fuel system and cleaning everything and replacing the filter and of course replacing the fuel with fresh. Going to remove the screens in the tank and add an external filter/water trap that I can drain and check like I do on my airplane (modified Hutch mod).
Truck has never done this before. Came out of the blue.
I can check the glow plugs and relay. No problems so far starting in cold though as long as I plug it in at night.
Currently I'm going through the whole fuel system and cleaning everything and replacing the filter and of course replacing the fuel with fresh. Going to remove the screens in the tank and add an external filter/water trap that I can drain and check like I do on my airplane (modified Hutch mod).
I'll keep you all posted.
Unless it is Uber Cold, you should not have to 'plug it in'. Your (good) Glow Plugs (system) should be able to get you going with out 'plugging it in' aaaannnd, you really do not need to have it 'plugged in' all night. This is a waste of Electricity. Have a timer so it will come on about two hours before you need it.
Make sure your Glow Plug Relay is working and then ohm out your Glow Plugs (not really sure how to discribe the process, but an other member should come along and help out). Good, Clean, Fuel, is a very good direction to go.
Les is correct. You should not have to plug the truck in if your glow plugs and relay are in working order. You can cycle the key forward when it's cold, the glow plugs can stay on for almost 2 full minutes. When things are working properly and it is above 0 degrees F one cycle of 2 minutes and the truck should fire right up. There may be a little blueish white smoke for a little while, but it'll clear up in a few minutes. If you need to plug it in, there is at least one other issue going on, beyond the moisture in the fuel. How many miles on the truck, and are they the original injectors? What oil are you running and what are the temps where you are and what were they when you encountered the issue?
Just an update. Did the fuel tank mods to the Excursion 7.3 and it's running great now. Yea!
Working on the F-250 7.3. After draining the fuel bowl into a bottle here's what we've found. And this is after draining the thing several times on our trip. The fuel filter/water separator were new looking (recently replaced) so that's good and looks like the separator was doing its job.
Now it's time to go through the fuel tank like we did for the Excursion. We're confident this should fix the issue plus get us a better overall system with the mod.
If you have pulled the fuel filter out of the fuel bowl, Look down in the bottom of the fuel bowl and you will most likely seen a quarter inch of crud. Take the tube and heating element out and clean the crud out of the bottom of the fuel bowl. The heating element in the fuel bowl is also not needed unless you live in the great white north and uber below zero. I would leave the element in the bowl, but unhook it 'in the bowl'. WHY???? Because WHEN this heating element eventually burn up, it tends to blow fuse #30 and the truck will die and will not start until you replace fuse #30. You will almost 'never know why', it blew. If you 'just' replace the fuse and the wires arch and can blow the fuse again. You will then have to (1) replace the fried heating element or (2) unplug the element in the bowl or (3) unplug the "bowl heater/water in the bowl" connection that is on the back of the fuel bowl. I have had the connection on the back of my fuel bowl unplugged for over 15 years with not issues in those areas.
The fuel bowl was near spotless with a new filter. I think we just got some really bad fuel and the separator did its job. I'm worried what's in the tank though. My son is pulling that right now. Good tip on the fuel heater.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
