Hi guys, one of my trucks doesn't want to start at all. It started "coughing" and died on me on the freeway, had to get it towed and now it won't start. It sat for most of the winter and i ran it just a few times in the spring (once a month tops). I thought it's just the old diesel in it, i pumped it out, put a few gallons of a new one in with no luck. I also replaced the fuel filter to no avail.
I had the same issue with another truck (00 7.3) but I somehow managed to burn the old stuff and got it running. But with this truck I just can't make it. It seems to be a fuel issue, or what else could it be? Thanks for your help.

 

How much fuel was in it?
Can you hear the fuel pump when you turn the ignition on?
Does the wait to start light come on

You can get more help in this forum for 99.5 to '03 7.3 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum31/

 

I believe there was a little over 10 gallons in it. About the pump, I'm not sure. You think it might be shot? And yes, the "wait to start" light comes on. I'm gonna check out the other forum now...

 

If it has an aftermarket chip in it that plugs into the CPU it could have come loose Had that happen on my 02 7.3

FUEL SENDING UNIT will do the same thing..

Turn your key forward and turn everything off and listen for the whining sound if that comes on let it go through its cycle a few times then try to fire her up..

 

There are no chips or any extras, it's just a good old dump truck.

 

There is no such thing as an old diesel fuel. I've been restarting diesels siting for 8 years on original fuel just fine, so few months is nothing for them.
The water in fuel might.
Since you drained the tank - very likely you lost the prime on high pressure fuel pump. This engine require long cranking after something like that.
Also checking the low fuel pressure side would be helpful. You should hear electric pump coming on for few seconds after turning the ignition on?
Than opening the drain valve on the filter bowl should give you good stream of fuel.

 

Can you describe the coughing better? Sounds a lot like a CPS issue.