Engine won't start: help
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Engine won't start: help
I have a 1997 7.3 liter powerstroke diesel on a 1 ton dually. Pretty sure it is the direct injection engine. The truck sat unattended for the past 7 months (yea I know dumb huh). The engine will not fire at all. I have checked the fuel flow from the tank to the filter housing and it does fill up while cranking the engine ( does not fill up with just the ignition key turned on, mechanical fuel pump apparently). I am wondering how to check the fuel flow from the fuel pressure regulator to the injector pump and beyond. Also wondering if there are any electrical checks that I can do that may indicate any problems in this area.
The FPR has four braided steel lines going to the "heads" as well as one that i believe is the return line. Any tutorial on the correct sequence and function of the fuel delivery system will be greatly appreciated as this is my first diesel to troubleshoot.
The FPR has four braided steel lines going to the "heads" as well as one that i believe is the return line. Any tutorial on the correct sequence and function of the fuel delivery system will be greatly appreciated as this is my first diesel to troubleshoot.
Thread Starter
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New User
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Recap
So I cleaned the FPR screen with a Q-tip and confirmed I am getting fuel flow up through the FPR by removing the schrader valve on it and cranking the engine. Fuel does flow while cranking. I have been told the return line from the FPR to the tank has a filter in it that can clog and cause the engine to not run. Have also been told that there is an electric solenoid valve somewhere past the FPR going to the injectors that can stay closed but should open when u turn the key on. Still would like some help, any suggestions?
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Lesson Learned
So I hauled the diesel 50 miles with a my 1/2 ton (Ford no less with a 4.6 liter V8) with a monster car hauler so I could work on it. Charged some semi good batteries for a day. One of the original two would take a charge, the other wouldn't even take a charge much less hold it. Read the post about the crankcase position sensor (CMP ? ) and the tach gauge (thanks John). Cranked it while watching the tach and no RPMs indicated. Noticable reduction in crank speed due to weak batteries after first good crank. Worried a little about how much the sensor costs and how much trouble it is to install. Hooked a chain up to it and had a friend pull me with my 1/2 ton. Looked at the tach at about 15 MPH and 150 yards. There were RPM's. Started thinking "well good CMP is good". Then started thinking the thing should start .... and... after 300 yards ..... VRRROOOM. Engine is fine. Runs like it always did, no problems. So the lesson learned for working on diesels:
Step 1) Remove head from rectal cavity
Step 2) Make darn sure batteries are good
Step 3) Make darn sure batteries are charged to max capacity
Step 4) NEVER leave diesel unattended for any extended period of time
ie treat like a woman
Step 1) Remove head from rectal cavity
Step 2) Make darn sure batteries are good
Step 3) Make darn sure batteries are charged to max capacity
Step 4) NEVER leave diesel unattended for any extended period of time
ie treat like a woman
