Mr Obvious... Fuel Filter?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Under the hood
Mr Obvious... Fuel Filter?
Today I started my 88 F250 4x4 7.3 manual trans. I was just going to move it a bit. She fired up as usual. I was letting her warm up a bit when the "Fuel Filter" idiot light came on. A few seconds later she died. She is cranking over but I don't see any smoke coming out of the back.
Could it be that she told me that I need to change the fuel filter with her last dying gasps of diesel? I have never changed it on her, but then again I have put less then 500 miles on her since I have bought her home a year and a half ago.
Right before I started it I put some fuel in that had been in a brand new proper container for a year. It was sealed tight in my garage the whole time. So I don't think that water could have gotten in it. But....
Could it be that she told me that I need to change the fuel filter with her last dying gasps of diesel? I have never changed it on her, but then again I have put less then 500 miles on her since I have bought her home a year and a half ago.
Right before I started it I put some fuel in that had been in a brand new proper container for a year. It was sealed tight in my garage the whole time. So I don't think that water could have gotten in it. But....
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
Your return lines are more than likely leaking air if you have no smoke.
I have bought several of these that have been siting for awhile and have always had to ghange the return lines. You need to crank them once in awhile. Then again your filter could be stopped up, I don't think air will make your filter light come on.
I have bought several of these that have been siting for awhile and have always had to ghange the return lines. You need to crank them once in awhile. Then again your filter could be stopped up, I don't think air will make your filter light come on.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
I think the filter light will come on only if there is a vacuum strong enough to throw the sensor. In other words, it detects a clogged filter. Air leaks wouldn't cause that.
llee, are you in a cold part of the country? I'm thinking you may have gelled up fuel if you are in cold weather. If not, I would still say its a fuel contamination problem and your filter getting clogged.
Another less likely possibility is the vent at the fuel tank is plugged. Pulling off the filler cap should allow it to start and run normally if that is indeed the problem.
llee, are you in a cold part of the country? I'm thinking you may have gelled up fuel if you are in cold weather. If not, I would still say its a fuel contamination problem and your filter getting clogged.
Another less likely possibility is the vent at the fuel tank is plugged. Pulling off the filler cap should allow it to start and run normally if that is indeed the problem.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Under the hood
I live North of Indianapolis a bit. Right now it is 18 outside. Feels much colder after installing a new fuel filter outside.
When I removed the bottom part (the water tank?) I saw that it was frozen solid. As deep as it was is as much ice was in there.
I carefully chipped it all away and installed a new fuel filter. Still no start or smoke coming out of the pipe. I did not have it plugged in today so I will try again in the am. I also poured in some anti water stuff for diesel's into the tank. Both from Napa. After pouring in the whole 6 or 8oz(about the same size as a regular size Gumout) I saw that it said it was good for like 125 gallons or something. For the 8 or so gallons in the tank that doesnt present a new problem.
I do start and drive the truck quit a bit, its just normally around the property towing a trailer or hauling wood etc. Less then 15 miles round trip to the hardware store or feed store.
THis is the first diesel I have ever had so I am learning as I go. And with a 22 y/o truck there sure does seem to be a personality involved!
When I removed the bottom part (the water tank?) I saw that it was frozen solid. As deep as it was is as much ice was in there.
I carefully chipped it all away and installed a new fuel filter. Still no start or smoke coming out of the pipe. I did not have it plugged in today so I will try again in the am. I also poured in some anti water stuff for diesel's into the tank. Both from Napa. After pouring in the whole 6 or 8oz(about the same size as a regular size Gumout) I saw that it said it was good for like 125 gallons or something. For the 8 or so gallons in the tank that doesnt present a new problem.
I do start and drive the truck quit a bit, its just normally around the property towing a trailer or hauling wood etc. Less then 15 miles round trip to the hardware store or feed store.
THis is the first diesel I have ever had so I am learning as I go. And with a 22 y/o truck there sure does seem to be a personality involved!
Last edited by llee; Feb 8, 2010 at 11:38 PM. Reason: Added that part about the additive.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,409
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From: back in SE Iowa
did you fill the filter back up with fuel before you put it back on?you may have to crack a couple injectors to bleed some air out.as far as the additive it wont hurt anything by over treating.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,528
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
With that much ice in the filter base, I think I would say that the lines are likely gelled/plugged somewhere as well. Easiest remedy is to get it indoors where it's warm, then get it running/loaded up with a winter diesel treatment.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Faibanks Ak.
X2..........
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Under the hood
I could not figure out how to keep the fuel in the filter with the largest of the openings facing the ground.... I thought till my head hurt then just installed the filter.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Under the hood
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: So. Jersey
You could tarp it and use a salamander space heater to try to get the temps up. For your filter leave the base attached to the filter and fill the top of the filter with clean fuel or fresh treatment and then reinstall.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
The lines on my truck are nylon, they wouldn't be very torch friendly lol.
I have wrapped a tarp around the bottom and used several methods to heat them up, what ever I had on hand.lol
The low spots in the line is where there will be ice.
I have wrapped a tarp around the bottom and used several methods to heat them up, what ever I had on hand.lol
The low spots in the line is where there will be ice.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Under the hood
Install bottom part of filter then fill with fuel???? Ummm, I, Well...... Yea, I can see how that would work (Like I said Mr Obvious!)