Hey everyone,
Just signed up for this site because it seems like a place to find some answers. Here goes: I was out turkey hunting Friday and my truck died on me. I tried to start it up again, it would crank but wouldn't turnover. I waited for a bit and turned the key and it started but I only got about 50ft and it died again. Seemed to me that it wasn't getting gas so I thought I might have a clogged filter(since I just filled up that morning) so I took out the filter, tried to bump some junk out of it and put it back in(I also drained the bowl in case I had water but my dash didn't say I did) and I got about half a mile down the road and it died again. I kept starting it and getting about 20ft down the road and then finally I was more aggressive on the throttle and a bunch of white smoke came out of my exhaust and I made it home(about 40 miles). I stopped at the parts store and bought a new fuel filter and some diesel injector cleaner and replaced my old. I drove home and then to a friends and it died again(with the same starting and dying after a few seconds). I was browsing on this site and called a diesel mechanic and it seems alot of people have the same problem and it's their CPS sensor or something like that but when I crank the engine my tachometer moves(which I guess is a check for that sensor) and yes my engine oil is full. I bought a chiltons but it didn't seem like anything in there could help me with this problem. I'm taking my truck to a diesel pump and injector mechanic tomorrow and would like not to have to pay him if it's something I can fix. I also had a problem the day before with my truck on the freeway. I was just driving and it starting jumping and shaking something fierce enough to spill my soda and move everything onto the floor but I pulled off the road and couldn't find anything wrong and it drove fine until saturday. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. By the way, it's a 97 F-250 powerstroke, 5 spd. Thanks
Josh

 

Welcome to the site

The cps can be very touchy, but if you are having a die, start, die problem it has to be your IPS or IPR not funtioning correctly. My bet is its one of those two that is causing your issues. Search those topics and see if any of it sounds like your case.

 

check the tin nut on the back of the ipr. or cps gets my vote.

 

Hey 1997, where is the IPR located at and what is it? what do I check for?

 

On top of the front of the engine is a black rectangular box. On the back of that is your high pressure oil pump(HPOP). On the driver's side of the HPOP, down in the valley, sticking out towards the back is the injection pressure regulator(IPR). It controls the amount of high OIL pressure coming out of the HPOP to go to the injectors to help them fire in a more aggressive, pressurized way rather than just straight electronic injector action. Well it also reads the pressure that is being produced by the pump and tells the computer(injector driver module, IDM) to go ahead and have the injectors fire since there is adequate oil pressure to make them work properly. The sensor action for the IPR is an electromagnetic solenoid that slips over the stem of the IPR and locks into place with a stamped tin nut on the end of the stem. If it has come loose it will allow an erratic reading from the IPR sensor and that would explain why it is working on again off again on again. It is 1 1/8" and is thin metal. You might be able to reach a pair of angled needle-nosed pliers down in there and grab it and lock it into place. It won't take much to tighten it. If that doesn't work you can take the fuel line and 90' fitting off the front of the FUEL pressure regulator on the side of the fuel filter and you can fit a regular box end 1 1/8" wrench on it to just snug it up. Be careful. it is a lightweight fastener.

You can go to ebay and do a search for IPR powerstroke and 5-6 of them will come up so you can look at them and see what you're working on. While you're there do a search for CPS powerstroke and wait and watch and snipe one of them for your truck. Keep it in your glove box with a 10mm wrench. They go without warning, they leave you dead on the road and they can be changed out in less than two minutes. It is very common for them to go, too. $50 shipped is a great price. $80 shipped is still cheaper than getting one locally. Having one ready to go with you when you need it is..... you guessed it.....priceless. You will love your truck more and more. Have fun.

 

Thanks for the info guys, I broke down and bought a CPR locally, around $159, installed it yesterday and drove around for a few miles and about 10 miles today. No problems yet but I'm sceptic about it because it seems to easy of a fix. Guess we'll see where it takes me!
Now, not sure what I need to do about my starting. In the mornings, it can take awhile for my engine to turn over, usually when it's cold but also after it sits for a few hours and I get quite a bit of white smoke coming out. It's been getting worse lately so I'm not sure if maybe glow plugs or a the relay, any suggestions? I'm not sure how much a relay would be. I've never changed glow plugs so I'm hesitant about doing it but even if that isn't the problem, new plugs couldn't hurt.
Josh

 

You bought a CPR? I have never heard of that part. Did you mean IPR?

I would change out your GPR before you dive into changing out your GPs, Napa has a gpr-109 for like $15 that will work.

 

No, I meant a CPS. I will pick up a GPR, couldn't hurt. Any ideas on a good glow plug if that doesn't do the trick? Is there a big difference between them? I heard of one brand not to use because they tend to break off.

 

He probably meant the CPS was replaced. I second the glow plug relay, it did wonders for my truck. (after I spent the cash and time on new glow plugs...)

 

Next time you need a CPS find an International dealer ($100) or buy one off ebay ($60-80).

I bet the GPR will help out but if you do install new GPs do not use Autolites, there have been a lot of issues with them. Use motorcraft GPs from your dealer or they sell the same ones at Autozone.

 

zd-11 from autozone 9.99....glow plug

 

thanks guys,
Drove around all day and no problems with the CPS. I plan on snatching up another one when one shows up on ebay. I called all the auto parts stores around Spokane(even napa) and couldn't find a GPR for less than $60 so I found one on ebay for $15....waiting. I'll keep in mind the plug brand, again, thanks alot.

 

gpr-109 from napa is under 20 bucks.

 

If you ask for a certain part *like a GPR* for a '97 F250 then they look up that part, it may not be the same part as GPR-109 which is also a GPR but not the same GPR that the computer tells you that your truck needs. I keep learning new things all the time...

 

check under your fuel filter and see if your fuel heater is unwelded, I had the same thing happen to my 97 f250. The mech that does my work for me came to the rescue call and pulled the fuel heater replaced a fuse. Truck started up and ran with out cutting out again. I replaced the heater the next with one I found in my mailbox the next day. No problems after that.