So... for some strange reason, my 2002 F-350 7.3PSD Auto, has been extremely hard to start when its faces downhill, even slightly. Has anyone had this problem or even heard of it? It'll carnk over and over and over, lots of smoke, but no fire and then whatever happens it fires right up, not sluggishly, just like a switch is flipped and boom, away it goes. If I park it with the nose uphill, its ok. Its giving me nigthmares, thinking about things it may be, so does anyone know of any common problems like this? Thanks in advance

 

Sounds like the high pressure oil reservoir is bleeding down.

 

Welcome to FTE. I've read of this once before, but don't remember if they ever posted the outcome. After leaving it parked down hill for a while (when you have trouble starting have you checked the oil level in the HPOP reservoir? It should be within 1" of the top.

 

so, what can i do to remedy this? its definetly oil related, i thought it was the hpop reservoir, but have only had the truck a few months, didn't want to jump to conclusions. thanks again

 

It depends on what's causing it. If it's something simple, like the engine oil level is too low, that's a pretty easy fix. If the reservoir is actually draining back through the valve or the lube oil pump is having supply issues it becomes more difficult.

Or....you park it with the nose up hill. Sorry....couldn't resist.

 

From what I have read here on FTE if your HPOP reservoir is draining down it is uaully a leak between the reservoir and the front engine cover, #1 and #18 in this diagram. As far as the anti-drain back (inset) I have read it can be that and that it can't be that, no definitive answers on that one .

Oil flow Diagram. :

 

So if the leak was between the front cover and the reservoir, would i see the leak? Or would it be leaking internally somehow? Sad to admit, I'm a mechanic and I just don't want to start ripping it apart without a little clue of what to look for. I wouldn't say that its the lpop, because the oil pressure gauge shoots up fairly quick while cranking over. I haven't taken a peek inside the hpop reservoir yet, but maybe I'll do it right now, since its nice out... back in a few

 

no go on the plug.. shes tight as f***.... frustrating

 

I've never even looked at mine and am not going to go outside and look right now, but try a little PB Blaster on it and wait about an hour and try to loosen it again. I know the level should be no lower than an inch below the top no matter how long it has been sitting. If it is lower than that it must be bleeding back into the sump somehow if it is not showing up on the ground.

 

This is a link for HPOP R&R and has instruction for removing HPOP Reservoir. Good pics. Terminator pictures from trucks photos on webshots . Hope this helps.

 

Matt,

I forgot to answer this question. Yes, the leak can be internal and not seen.

 

payson, thanks for the previous diagram and the replies, you wouldn't know if that check valve is in the engine block or in the hpop res. would you? looks like it is in the block in that diagram

 

It's not in the reservoir.

 

Same here I tried to get mine off the other day and I even used a pipe and broke the alin wrench

 

i was thinkin.... i have a small tear in the right side cac boot... would this effect my starting?