I've been reviewing the threads from the past month or so, trying to find problems like mine in my 97 F350.

Here are the symptoms: Driving home, started to feel a vibration. I thought I had a tire going flat, but the vibration got worse. Made a turn to go up a hill, and had no power. Then the engine quit altogether. Tried to restart, almost caught, but then died totally. I have good tach reading - FTE has taught me to always look for that! Towed home with the Bronco.

Got it home, drained the water/fuel separator a bit, and checked the fuel filter. It was pretty dirty, but did note that it was fairly empty. Topped it off with Diesel Kleen. Tried to start a few time, finally caught, but ran rough. Roughness almost went away after 5 or so minutes. Attempted test drive. I emphasize attempted because the same thing happened again. Drained water/fuel separator again, but only a little. Got truck back home, courtesy of the Bronco again. Checked fuel filter bowl - nearly empty.

Started poiking around in the engine. There is considerable grime in the valley and there is oil in the valley, but I can't tell if it is oil or fuel - to much grime in the mix. Tried starting again - I have tach deflection and no smoke from the tailpipe. I did fill up last time with the ultra low sulfur diesel. I have read numerous posts about that stuff tearing up the o rings in the fuel system. Right now I think the fuel pump is shot, probably the low pressure side (the one with the rubber diaphragm). I haven't pulled the valve covers off (yet?), but the injector wiring is relatively new, looks intact, and has not been overheated. I don't think that the CPS is bad because the tach works.

At this point, I am pretty sure the engine is not getting fuel (because of no smoke and empty fuel bowl). What do you guys think?

PS sorry for the long post - I see a lot of trouble threads that request extra info and I am just trying to be thorough.

Thanks

 

I guess I wasn't thorough enough - I forgot to mention that I checked engine oil level. It was a bit low, so I topped it off, but I also checked the HPOP reservior which was full.

 

Yep, sounds like the fuel filter. You can check the fuel pressure while cranking to see if the pump is working. There is a little schrader valve on the side of the fuel filter, this is were you screw the gage onto. It looks like a tire valve. You should get ~20 lbs pressure. The pressure will pulse up and down with the pump.

 

It wasn't the fuel filter. I replaced it and couldn't get the motor restarted. So I started taking out the fuel bowl and fuel pump and found puddles of diesel in the bottom of the valley, along with loads of grime all over everything else. I honestly hadn't thought of checking the fuel pressure until I found the schrader valve during disassembly.

I may still be wrong about the pump because some of the fuel lines look a little old and cracked. I figure I will replace all them too - if I can find someone who sells them on the weekends! Anybody know who sells the diesel fuel line, bacause Napa and Advance sure doesn't. I tried Tractor Supply, and they had too small a diameter.

While I'm at it, I have an AutoMeter fuel pressure gauge that I will add in there so I can always know if the fuel pump is working.

 

Opp's, I meant fuel pump. Dooh! All the fuel in the valley is coming from the pump's weep hole. Those little blue hoses can be replaced too. Here's the part #'s. Get new banjo bolt washers too.

Fuel Hose, BLUE (Aeroquip FC498-06)
(Ford) F4TZ-9324-CA, 3" Long lift pump to filter inlet
(Ford) F4TZ-9324-DA Shorter than above, Filter outlet to High Pressure (piston) pump inlet

Fuel Line Banjo Outlet Seals (seals banjo fitting of "wishbone" line)
(Ford) F4TZ-9A375-A

 

Thanks, Cuda_jim!

Hopefully I can find the aeroquip line today. The stupid fuel line is the only thing holding me back from getting the fix done today.

 

Can't find the Aeroquip line, and none of the parts stores have the proper fuel line. However, Summit does carry the proper Goodyear hose for a diesel application. It is called Hysunite and you can get it from Summit for about $15 for 25 feet or $7 for 2 feet. I don't know what the dealer would charge, but I did find out that they sell specific lengths (thus the part numbers). Hope this helps the folks that may have to change their lines in the future.

 

and I just used regular fuel line on hoses at work for diesil suction lines....................what does it do cause Ihave not seen the units come back, was told it was all the same shiat by the stores guys and you dont dare 2nd guess the store guys

 

The hose has a textile braid on the outside that gives it strength. I was going to use regular hose as well, but the guy at Napa yesterday called one of his diesel guys. That guy said that diesel fuel will cause the hose to swell and eventually rupture. I decided to take his word for it and get the right hose since it is so time consuming to change a 3" length of hose.

 

i've been using fuel injection hose that i carry in stock for hi press gas engines.it says its gasoline and diesel rated,so far no problems.

 

Napa has a hose that says Multifuel rated thats what I used .
Not sure if its completely ok just did it a month ago and the truck hasnt run since.