Well its unfortunate that my first post on this forum is about a problem I am having with my 2001 F-350 7.3L.

The problem I am having is when I accelerate for an extended period of time my truck starts to miss and the service engine soon light will come on. It does not smoke when this happens. If I accelerate for just a few seconds everything seems ok, good power and no missing. However if I accelerate going up a long incline or hill after about 1/4 mile or less then engine begins to miss, as if it is running out of fuel.

To give a bit more history, this problem started about a month ago. I changed the fuel filter and changed the oil and air filter. This didn't seem to help. It would run fine at low speed. I did notice that when in park I would rev the engine to about 1500 RPM it would suddenly drop to about 1200 sometimes even 1000 and them back up to 1500.

Then after all this, my truck finally died on the way home and would not start back. I removed the cover from the filter housing and the bowl was only about half full. After the truck set for a few minutes (15-20) It would start back but little power, not enough to pull out on a small incline. Took to mechanic he said it registered a code for the fuel pressure regulator. He replaced this and fuel pressure was "still too low" He replaced fuel pump and said everything was ok, he test drove and found no more problems. I left his shop and drove to my "test hill" and still have the same problem. truck runs fine up this hill for about the first several hundred yards but before I get to the top, engine starts to miss and the Service Engine soon light come on.

I am out over $700 for the pump and regulator and still not running.

Any ideals about what may be happending, I would be thankful.

Bigvic

 

Sounds like the pickup screen in the tank is plugged. The easiest way to check is unhook the fuel line at the pump and use compressed air- about 10 psi- and blow back into the tank. Hook it back up and drive it and if that fixes your problem, then you will have to drop the tank and clean every thing out.

 

Thanks for the info, I did notice some sludge in the bottom of the fuel filter bowl. I tried to clean some of this out but it is difficult to get to the very bottom of the bowl.

I will try what you suggested.

How much trouble is getting the fuel tank off a F-350 Crew cab with 8 ft bed. I betting its not easy.

Thanks again
Bigvic

 

Make sure it is low on fuel and it makes it easier. I dropped mine a couple of weeks ago and it had about 25 gallons in it and it was a lot of work. Any way, it helps if you have a ramp to at least get the rear up so you can get under easier. Start by removeing the skid plate and then unhooking the fuel fill hose and breather behind the fill neck, then undo the bolts that hold the tank up on one end and support it with you legs and undo the other end and lower it down. It is not very heavy if it is mostly empy. Once it is down unhook the fuel lines- you will need a special tool to unhook the quick connect fittings- and slide it out from underneath the truck. Clean the top of tank realy well and unscrew the ring around the pickup lines and pull the assemly out of the tank. while you have it out you can do the hutch mod to improve it. Check out this link for excellent pictures.http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/hutch.html

Thanks to Guzzle 92 for all of the pics.

 

I used my little 2 ton floor jack to hold the tank on a peice of wood. That is about the only thing that it is good for any more. Did you get the old parts back? Sounds to me like they are still good. You might try and return them for credit as it didn't fix your problem.

 

just talked to the mechanic. They removed the tank and checked everything. Nothing in the tank or screens. "no fuel line resistance" I think he is at a loss. He was going to test drive and get back with me. Any other ideals?


Thanks,
bigvic

 

Shot in the dark here, but what about a cam sensor? Sometimes they're known to make 7.3s act up and run irregularly, as well as stall. And they don't always show codes either. Mine didn't! Just a thought.

 

Ok guys I still need help, I am still having problems with my truck. Machanic installed another new fuel pump today. He test drove and said everything seemed ok. However I just started home and the truck is doing the exact same thing. It ran fine for about the first 3-4 miles then began to miss and losses power. Pulled over let it set for a few mins and it started back up and I was able to make it back to my parents house. It seems as if the fuel bowl is running out of fuel.

to recap

New fuel pressure regulator
2 new fuel pumps
removed tank and cleaned screens
new fuel filter.
New CPS about 20,000 miles ago
There was one code set the first time this all started and it was for the fuel pressure sensor.



I am at a loss here and so is my machanic

 

How's your oil level? what kind of oil do u use?
Nut

 

Have you tired hooking a 12V source directly to the fuel pump while draining the fuel filter bowl into a bucket? You'd definately want to start draining prior to pumping. Let it run for a while, this would let you know what kind of flow you are making, i.e. if it is dieing off after a while resulting in your lost power. If it was something on that side of things, I'd expect to see a good stream for a few seconds, then start to piddle out. Or it may just piddle anyway. If you look at the Hutch instructions it will give a pretty good indication as to what kind of flow you should see when the pump is running and draining the filter.

 

I use Rottella oil. oil level is good

Second mechanic said he took the first new fuel pump and tested it. He said he got very little flow. He put on the second new fuel pump and said the flow was very good. I don't know how long he watched the flow to determine if it was sufficent or not.

To think back a little my problem seemed to start getting much worse after an oil change at the quick lube place. I was out of town on business and had the wife take my truck in to service. If for some reason they put in the wrong oil, could this cause the problem? I have had my oil changed at this place since getting my truck and they always put in rotella.

 

Sounds, believe it or not, like another bad CPS to me. Fuel problems are lack of power at higher revs or just rough running if u ask me. Sounds like oil is OK.
Nut

 

If for some reason they put the wrong oil in my truck would this cause the problem?

 

Not sure of that but i kind of doubt it.

 

ok thanks for your help.

bigvic