Off and on, for several weeks my '97 F-350 7.3 is not running right. Will idle/run very rough at times. Won't have any power and will gradually shut off. Will be nearly impossible to get restarted. I take the fuel filter cap loose, let in some air and it will start, runs rough, but does start. After going through this several times on the side off the road, (for a half hour, truck starts running fine. In addition I bleed the air from the schrader valve until the fuel flows out with no air. Truck will then run llike it should. Park it, and it starts the whole process over, no power, running rough. Have put fuel in it from different reliable sources. Fuel is clean.

Today it was running rough, took the fuel filter assembly off and pulled the piece off the filter bowl with the small screen, FPR bowl. Pulled the piece with the screen out, was somewhat clogged, cleaned and replaced. Removed the bottom piece with the spring clamp, cleaned the fuel bowl and pulled the metal "steel wool" filter out and cleaned it, replaced all reassembled the entire thing and nothing, won't start/run. Got it to run for 15-20 seconds a few times had to use starting fluid to get it to fire, then it would die, couldn't save it.

There is no problem with the fuel filter, is new. No problem with the HPOP, no problem with the injector O-rings. It is a fuel problem. Fuel pump replaced 8 months ago, fuel pressure is in normal range.

Can anyone give me any idea if there is something somewhere in the engine compartment that could be blocking the fuelafter the filter set up and to the injectors?

On going problem started several months ago, was intermittent, now won't start. It is a fuel problem, all else has been checked. It is acting like it is vapor locking somewhere.

Any help is appreciated!

 

tried swapping the CPS?

 

Yes, that's not it. It is a fuel problem.

 

Starting fluid is bad, just FYI.

Sounds like you got some bad Injector O-rings then.

There is fuel in the fuel bowl after you have cleaned it? and tried starting?

Is the fuel heater plugged in still?

Fuse 18 (I think its 18) is good? Thats the fuse for the fuel bowl heater and PCM.

Just trying to come up with some ideas for you here.


When you re-assembled the FPR, did you make sure the little spring seated on the nipple in the middle of the nut?

 

I have heard of this before. Truck would only run right with the fuel drain open. IIRC, The FPR was the issue.. Have you verified the lines from & to the tanks are clear?

 

was the little ball still in ahead of the spring.