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Hey guys I just picked up an 02 F250 7.3 with 345k miles. The seller had a problem with the truck acting like it’s running out of fuel and losing power and replaced the following parts but none of this fixed it…
When the truck is driven with a lot of fuel it drives great and has no problems. It starts acting up once when you get down to a quarter tank and the motor sounds like it’s running out of fuel and almost dies. I fill it back up and the problem goes away shortly. I unscrewed the fuel filter on the engine and heard a bunch of air come out. I put it back in and drove it around with low fuel and it did the same problem and the noise of air coming out happened again when I unscrewed it again. So air is getting in the fuel system somehow. My buddy has the same truck and his does the same thing and he thinks the problem is the fuel sending unit or it’s the additional fuel filter under the truck that he thinks could also be causing the problem. The fuel gauge was also moving a bit on a full tank. Has anyone experienced this and does anyone know the problem? The engine looks to be in great condition no blow by and runs strong. Again the problem is only when I’m at a quarter tank of fuel or less. Filled up half way or higher and it runs perfect. Thanks for any advice. Heres a picture of that filter underneath the truck.
It's the "foot" that attaches to the bottom of the sending unit in the tank. Mine just broke last week and the same thing happened. Ran the tank down below 1/4 and it started sucking air and running like crap. Took a couple days of driving around to get all the air out even after filling the tank. The shower head looking part breaks off the stem that slips onto the sending unit. Just don't let it run down that low until you can get it fixed. Just a crappy part that should have been redesigned not to break like that.
Alternatively the hutch mods are popular, however sucking unstrained fuel straight into the fuel pump is not a good long term idea. It will eventually clog up the inlet side of the pump and then it's problem time again. One of those frame rail mounted Racor setups is what you need if you're going to get rid of the in-tank filtering. That Baldwin setup I don't know about. It could be fine but the concern is if it's restricting the pump suction.
You’ve already got a frame mounted filter so part of the job is done. Make sure your filter isn’t a fine mesh, you just want basically a screen to protect the pump. The fine filtering happens in the fuel bowl.
You’ve already got a frame mounted filter so part of the job is done. Make sure your filter isn’t a fine mesh, you just want basically a screen to protect the pump. The fine filtering happens in the fuel bowl.
I was just gonna replace the whole sending unit. I don’t wanna do this mod because I want the fuel to be filtered.
You’ve already got a frame mounted filter so part of the job is done. Make sure your filter isn’t a fine mesh, you just want basically a screen to protect the pump. The fine filtering happens in the fuel bowl.
I’m new to diesels. Can I replace the sending unit and just leave the frame mounted filter in? Or do I need to take that out?
You’ve already got a frame mounted filter so part of the job is done. Make sure your filter isn’t a fine mesh, you just want basically a screen to protect the pump. The fine filtering happens in the fuel bowl.
I’m new to diesels. Can I replace the sending unit and just leave the frame mounted filter in? Or do I need to take that out?
The fuel is still filtered. The real filter is in the fuel bowl. You use a frame mounted pre-pump filter to protect the pump from big stuff.
It looks like you already have a frame mounted filter. Just confirm it’s micron level.
I kept my pickup foot (against most folks recommendation). My thought is it screens the really large stuff and gives a wide mouth for a pickup to prevent something from clogging the small pipe.
The fuel is still filtered. The real filter is in the fuel bowl. You use a frame mounted pre-pump filter to protect the pump from big stuff.
It looks like you already have a frame mounted filter. Just confirm it’s micron level.
I kept my pickup foot (against most folks recommendation). My thought is it screens the really large stuff and gives a wide mouth for a pickup to prevent something from clogging the small pipe.
Complete waste of money. Lots of money. Probably all you need is the black pickup foot. Possibly the mixing chamber. Or the little rubber duck bill.
You said make sure the filter isn’t a fine mesh but to make sure it’s micron level? And I suppose I could take the unit out and see what I need for it
You said make sure the filter isn’t a fine mesh but to make sure it’s micron level? And I suppose I could take the unit out and see what I need for it
Yes. Take the numbers off the orange Baldwin filter and check the specs. Some other guys in here can tell you the best micron to use for a pre filter. If you go too small (fine) then it can starve the pump.
And yes, if this isn’t a daily driver then I’d pull it apart to see what you need before ordering parts. You can probably get some of these local as well. But when you order from Riffraff you know it’s quality parts.
Yes. Take the numbers off the orange Baldwin filter and check the specs. Some other guys in here can tell you the best micron to use for a pre filter. If you go too small (fine) then it can starve the pump.
And yes, if this isn’t a daily driver then I’d pull it apart to see what you need before ordering parts. You can probably get some of these local as well. But when you order from Riffraff you know it’s quality parts.
From Google which took me to the Baldwin website. It shows 4 nominal, 20 absolute. Someone else will need to chime in with what’s ok to use. I was thinking 10 micron as a minimum. So this one seems a bit tight to me. But wait for someone else to confirm.
I didn’t have any luck finding the mixing chamber. Bed time for this old guy. Let us know what you find in the tank.
I may have spoken too strongly about the entire sending unit, but nearly $500 is a lot of coin when most of those parts are probably ok. I would totally do the Hutch mod before spending that kind of money.
Find out what you need first. I think the PO already threw enough parts at it!
From Google which took me to the Baldwin website. It shows 4 nominal, 20 absolute. Someone else will need to chime in with what’s ok to use. I was thinking 10 micron as a minimum. So this one seems a bit tight to me. But wait for someone else to confirm.
I didn’t have any luck finding the mixing chamber. Bed time for this old guy. Let us know what you find in the tank.
I may have spoken too strongly about the entire sending unit, but nearly $500 is a lot of coin when most of those parts are probably ok. I would totally do the Hutch mod before spending that kind of money.
Find out what you need first. I think the PO already threw enough parts at it!
