First time posting here so idk if I'm in the right place. Needing a bit of help though. We've got an '01 7.3 E-350 turbodiesel (lovingly named Bessie) at 211,288 miles but she's been having some trouble lately and we don't have the money to take it to a mechanic, let alone the mechanics around aren't exactly trust worthy. We've been doing all of the upkeep/maintenence and repairs ourselves for the past several years and learned a lot, but I'm not quite sure what the issue is now. I'm suspecting it's something to do with the boost? The the CP sensor has recently been replaced as it would not accelerate over 20mph which seemed to solve that problem, now she's running but going up any sort of incline is a struggle. It downshifts like it should but starts to lose power and the "service engine soon" light will come on along with a smell I'm thinking is exhaust. Sometimes it seems to go into limp mode (shuddering and lack of power) and needs to be shut off to come back, other times the light will go off on its own and will start running decently again. We've tried scanning for codes, there are none. Even had the tool plugged in while it was happening, no codes. I also notice a sort of whining noise upon acceleration which I was assuming was the lower tensioner pulley going out but now I'm not sure if it could be the turbo. The crank/harmonic balancer pulley seems to have a slight wobble too while running but I was told it's not significant enough to need replaced yet, idk. I've been reading all sorts of forums on the 7.3 trying to get to the bottom of this but there's so many potential problems it's hard to know what to do first. Could be MAP, could be EBP, could be turbo, just don't know... Any input/suggestions on what to do is highly appreciated

 

Welcome to the forum!

One thing most people don't realize is that most generic parts store code readers will not pull any codes from our trucks. Given what you're describing I would definitely assume some codes are stored, and we'll also need access to data logs in order to help narrow down your problems.

I would suggest you give a read to this thread which goes over how to use an app called FORScan to read codes and collect data from our trucks using an inexpensive OBDII dongle (you'll find all the info you need in this thread to get started): https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-q-and-a.html

Once you can get connected to the van, and are ready to pull some codes and collect some data report back!

 

You want to check fuel pressure.

 

I second both bits of advice above.

 

I agree with the above. You likely have low fuel pressure. If thats not the problem you have a boost leak. Or maybe both.
It takes all of 5 minutes to connect a guage to the fuel bowl on a f250 truck. Its not as easy on the van. The fuel bowl is right in no mans land. If you are familiar with the fuel bowl and the drain nipple you can probably do this by feel from the hood side. You wont be able to see this will be by feel only.

You will push the drain hose off of the fuel bowl nipple. Connect your hose and clamp to nipple and on opposite end your hose barb and guage. Once you make your connections open the drain valve and start it up.

If you attempt this from the inside from the cover its just as tough. You cant see the fuel bowl wo removing the intake resonator and pushing the gpr and aih relay to the side. It is afterall just a fuel pressure test but as you know a tad more difficult on the van.