I have a 2004 F350 4x4 CC LB 6.0 with 135,000 original miles.

For the past couple of months, the truck has emitted bluish smoke at idle sometimes. It has a pretty strong smell of unburned fuel.

Sometimes it would just die while sitting at a light, but would start right up.

Today, I backed into a spot where the rear of the truck was about 1.5' higher than the front. There was about 1/4 of a tank of fuel. It sat for about 30 minutes. When I tried to start it, it would only run for a few seconds. I pushed it onto level ground, and cycled the key (fuel pump) about 5 times. It then would start, but it was barely running and very quiet. If I put my foot on the brake, or turned the wheel, it would die, and the pedal would not do anything.

It acted like it was not getting any fuel.

I finally got it to stay running and let it idle for about 15 minutes, and then it suddenly changed pitch, idled stronger, and the pedal started working. It then drove off and ran fine.

I drove it about 5 miles, shut it down and went into HD. I came out about 15 minutes later and it started up just fine.

After driving back to the job, I shut it off for about 30 minutes, but when I tried to start it up, it did the same thing, only this time it started running okay after about 5 minutes of idling.

Does this sound like the injectors are going bad? What else could it be?

I have a complete ‘05 engine sitting in the garage w/56,000 miles. Will these injectors bolt in without any problems?

How hard are they to remove, and where can I find the procedure to change them out?

 

The injectors will fit just fine, but doesn't sound like an injector problem to me. When it starts to run bad again, if you can, shut it off and pull the secondary fuel filter housing and see if it's full of fuel. How long since last fuel filter change and what brand? Have you had it scanned for codes. No CEL doesn't mean no codes.

 

Which one is the secondary filter...the one on top of the motor?

If it is lacking of fuel, what would it mean?

My fuel economy seems to have dropped about 1-2 mpg, also.

It's probably been around 20,000 miles since last time the big filter was changed.

 

Yes, the small one on top of the motor is the secondary. You're a WHOLE lot overdue for a fuel filter change. I'd start there with a good quality set of Racor's and see if that helps. If it's lacking fuel then it's either from dirty filter or your pump is dying. You might want to check your air filter for an obstruction also. Try those simple things before bailing off into an unneeded injector change..

 

If it's the pump, where is it located, and about how much for a new one?

Would it show a code? I have a friend who has a code reader that I can scan later tonight...and then I guess I can list any codes that show up on this site for decoding.

Thanks so far for your help.

 

The pump is in the same place the big filter is: http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/6L_bible_h.../Page_029.html under the drivers door inside of the frame rail. It probably won't show a code. If you have some way to test the fuel pressure there is a test port in the secondary fuel filter housing. Should be about 55psi @ Idle.

 

And don't drag your feet on the filter change (2) and if that doesn't fix it checking the fuel press. as partsman said. Low fuel press. can damage injectors in a hurry. The fuel is their life blood.

 

Does sound like a fuel supply problem. Definitely start with filters.

I picked up on the 1/4 tank thing. Keep the info on this page in mind too.

http://www.backglass.org/duncan/ps60...l/ps60_079.jpg

 

Where is the best place to get a new fuel pump and what should it cost?

Is it the whole HFCM, or just the pump?

What about the HPOP....does it go bad often?

 

HPOP is designed to run 250K plus, but it's a tossup on the 03/04 engines. They have been problematic but if yours has run this long it may run a long time still. I'm not sure about what is available for the HFCM, whether just the pump is available or you have to buy the whole unit. Mine is in a box in the garage since I'm running an AirDogII because of larger injectors.

 

Y2Kford shows a fuel pump for $211
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

and a fuel/water separator for $52
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

Problem is figuring out exactly what each item is. You'll have to email them or do some research to figure it all out. I have read here about guys who took the HFCM apart and had a fun time getting it back together, so if it was me I would probably look for a complete HFCM assembly and replace the whole thing. Even though that would be the more expensive way to go.

 

If it was a bad HPOP it wouldn't run at all. Sounds like these guys have you covered, start there and see if that doesn't fix it.

 

Thanks for the diagnosis...I will report back what fixed it.

Just curious, but an engineer friend of mine is wondering how a bad fuel pump would overfuel the motor? (bluish, fuel smelling smoke)