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1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

a few engine problems

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Old Feb 15, 2006 | 11:14 PM
  #1  
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a few engine problems

1)If I rev it up to anywhere under 1000rpm then let off. When the engine speed slows it drops below 600 rpm and the coughs and sputters all the way back up to idle speed, but continues to sputter as if it were stalling.

2)it seems like its lost most of its low end grunt (under 200rpm). I can feel a real surge increase in power at 2000rpm

I've been running my truck on unmarked diesel (machine fuel) since november, and I am about 10,000miles since my last oil change. Like I said in another thread, Im new to the diesel engine and how it works...so I have no idea where to begin. However I have a feeling my problems have to do with my fuel system and dirty oil.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 01:05 AM
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Dirty oil could certainly cause you a heap of trouble. Most of us PSD owners run between 3000 & 5000 miles between changes, including filter. Some have bypass filter systems and perform periodic sample testing to extend their change interval. You should also change your fuel filter every 15k to 20k miles.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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well i think its about to be on the way to the shop for an oil, lube, filter change and fuel system flush. It wont even fire now when i turn it over, its -25 celcuis and ive had it plugged in all night/morning and I plugged my smart charge battery charger onto it this morning to give it a good amount of juice.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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Thumbs down

i cannot belive that you are still driving that thing on that oil with 10k miles! change the oil for the love of god!
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 01:58 PM
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i just got out of the bush, where it was too cold and I had nowhere to get the oil changed. I just had it towed to a shop.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 03:09 PM
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Since it's colder than a well-digger's butt up there, you should consider using a lighter weight of oil, say 5w-30, or a synthetic engine oil.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 06:18 PM
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winters running out, it will be above freezing again in a week or so. So should I stick to the thicker stuff? Im going to use a full synthetic, I read somewhere that you should run an anti foaming agent in your oil also. Im going to get the fuel/oil/air filters changed changed...anyone with some further recommendations?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2006 | 08:24 PM
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If the oil is rated API CG-4/SH or better, it's good for the PSD. Rotella T 15w-40 is rated CI-4/SJ; that's what I use all year. If you choose a synthetic, it needs the same rating. But you don't need to add anything special to the oil; just change it regularly. As for the air filter, give serious consideration to changing the stock box to the Tymar intake system; less restrictive & better filtration by far. Call Dale @ (509) 922-8785.
 

Last edited by DaBigTow; Feb 16, 2006 at 08:27 PM.
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Old Feb 17, 2006 | 09:59 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by pud
1)If I rev it up to anywhere under 1000rpm then let off. When the engine speed slows it drops below 600 rpm and the coughs and sputters all the way back up to idle speed, but continues to sputter as if it were stalling.

2)it seems like its lost most of its low end grunt (under 200rpm). I can feel a real surge increase in power at 2000rpm

I've been running my truck on unmarked diesel (machine fuel) since november, and I am about 10,000miles since my last oil change. Like I said in another thread, Im new to the diesel engine and how it works...so I have no idea where to begin. However I have a feeling my problems have to do with my fuel system and dirty oil.
i assume the 200rpm is a typo?? but i run synthetic and went 8K, runs fine @165K, does not use a drop. but i would start w/ the basics. if you are 3+ qt's low it may cause injector issues as well. FIRST OFF.. CHANGE THE OIL.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 07:33 PM
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yeah i meant 2000rpm. Well the news from the shop is they did a diagnostic test and concluded all 8 of my glow plugs were bad.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 10:05 PM
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Not sure I'm impressed with your shop's findings; the glowplugs will have nothing to do with the way the truck runs after it's started.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 10:23 PM
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well the major problem was it wouldnt start. Wouldnt even fire, I thought it was water in the fuel. However now that I think about it, lately it has been hard to start even in mild weather. I know my oil needs to be changed, as well as the oil and fuel filters. Then when it warms up in the summer I can start with the mods.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 10:32 PM
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No glowplugs in cold weather = no start. Guess that's not surprising. But that doesn't explain the symptoms you described at the start of the thread. Filters & oil might very well straighten those issues out. Might also consider a good winter fuel additive like Diesel-Kleen (white bottle) available at WalMart.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2006 | 10:39 PM
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yeah the only reason i thought it was the fuel is because Ive been running farm fuel in it since november, and when i first tried to start it..the engine fired but wouldnt run. After a while however, the engine wouldnt even fire. Ive got fuel conditioner in it, i just started to use it tho. Just have to get that oil and the filters changed
 
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Old Mar 6, 2006 | 01:32 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by 79f-250custom
i cannot belive that you are still driving that thing on that oil with 10k miles! change the oil for the love of god!
Dear Pud, We all voted at the last meeting and decided that if you have not changed your oil yet that you have to sell the diesel and get yourself a gasser(gas truck).
 
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