Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Starting problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 12:29 AM
  #1  
Frazier64's Avatar
Frazier64
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Starting problems

My Fathers 96 F250 7.3 has been having starting problems for the last three years. He's at 150,000 miles, and it's become such a problem that were looking at buying a new truck for him.

We've been through the usual suspects such as glow plugs, relays, and batteries. The most recent occurance happen in warm weather (70 degrees). He also said it died at a light recently, and then turned back on. We've been practicing the cool down run recommended in the owners manual after pulling a heavy load, but this happens on short non load drives. Where he drives two miles. Turns the truck off, and then can't start it. The problem is very intermittent. Two weeks ago it pissed him off so bad that he wanted to scrap the thing. For the last two weeks it's been running fine.

In cooler weather it must be plugged in (anything less than 45 degrees). In those same cool conditions it starts rough, but pumps out a black smoke like you wouldn't believe. My 1999 7.3 is nothing like this. I expect a little smoke on a cold start, but his looks like a bomb went off. I suspect fuel pump problems. He's thinking injectors. Thoughts?
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:36 AM
  #2  
884x4broncoII's Avatar
884x4broncoII
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 0
you could start by checking the fuel pressure theres a valve that looks like a tire valve on the fpr, maby check the cps, a compression check might be in order as well if the compresson is realy low that could cause similar problems, also check the oil level in the hpop resivor, im sure some people that are more knowlable than me will chime in as well
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 04:42 AM
  #3  
884x4broncoII's Avatar
884x4broncoII
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 0
get the coads scanned as well
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 08:38 AM
  #4  
Frazier64's Avatar
Frazier64
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 884x4broncoII
you could start by checking the fuel pressure theres a valve that looks like a tire valve on the fpr, maby check the cps, a compression check might be in order as well if the compresson is realy low that could cause similar problems, also check the oil level in the hpop resivor, im sure some people that are more knowlable than me will chime in as well
Oh you’re on to some things I need to know more about. Is there an existing thread I can read on compression? Could you say this again without acronyms, I'm a rookie on a lot of this.
What you’re saying interests me. Before I ever owned a diesel I remember a friend of mine fighting a starting issue and it turned out to be "the compression" compression of what I can't remember. I've since tried to get three different mechanics to check this, but since I don't know what I'm asking for they look at me like I'm an idiot. I probably deserve that look, but if I can tell my mechanic what you just said I might make some progress here.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:01 AM
  #5  
c00nhunterjoe's Avatar
c00nhunterjoe
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,606
Likes: 13
From: Belair md
fpr is fuel pressure regulator. i dont thin kyou have a cylinder compression issue if you are pumping black smoke out, black smoke is excess fuel, if you had an internal engine issue you would pump thick white smoke. thick black smoke sounds more like a sticky injector. you need to get your codes read and do a couple of self tests with the scan tool
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:16 AM
  #6  
Frazier64's Avatar
Frazier64
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I just talked to my dad, and wer're going to take his truck in monday morning. I'm going to ask them to:

1. Check the fuel pressure regulator.
2. Scan the codes.

Is there anything else you guys would recommend. I'm not against buying a scan tool if you think I need one to get through this.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SilentlySoaring
Excursion - King of SUVs
10
Oct 6, 2020 09:47 PM
90coupedraggn
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
7
Aug 12, 2013 08:22 PM
DieselRugger
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
34
Aug 9, 2013 05:37 PM
TwistedPiston
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Jan 29, 2012 07:21 AM
3TreeGuy
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
31
Dec 16, 2009 05:04 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:09 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE