Ran out of diesel & can't start...help please
 

Hello,
Unfortunately one of my employees was driving my F350 Powerstroke Diesel this morning and ran out of fuel. We have put more fuel in the tank, but cannot get it to start.
Anyone have any suggestions asap?

Thank you!

You may even call me as the vehicle is stuck on the side of a Georgia interstate: 765.532.2706

how much fuel did you put in

5 Gallons.

Checked the fuel fitler and that is fine....jumping the battery now just in case that is low.

Your thoughts?

put another post in the 7.3 forum https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum31/ assuming it's a 7.3

Make sure there is no air in the fuel filters... if you can see that. You can also turn the key on and off 3-5 times in order to prime the fuel system. See if that helps

Key on and off 3 times to bleed the air out of the system...??

He forgot to mention, listening to the fuel pump to stop pumping, and repeat.

Cycle the key about 4-5 times for about 20 seconds each time and then crank. Time it, 20 seconds crank and then don't do anything for 1-2 minutes otherwise you'll burn the starter up. Usually by the second crank it's started and it will idle rough for about 5 minutes and then smooth out

Have tried all those things, and still no luck. He did let it run bone dry....do we still try to get it started or does it need to be towed?

what year is the truck
can you hear the fuel pump run

How about opening the filter drain valve to get fuel to the filter. I have heard of people loosening up the allen plugs on the back of the heads for fuel rails and then do the cycling again, to fill the rails. However, I do not know what else to do. What year is this truck? What motor

some of the older SDs won't reprime with less than 1/2 tank of fuel
open filter dain and cycle pump to see if you're getting a good fuel flow free of air

If you run these trucks dry can u fry the fuel pump?

My drivers run our bucket trucks out of fuel all the time. I add 5 gallons of fuel and pressurize the tank to get the frame rail pump primed. Take an air tank with you with a blow nozzle attached. Open the fuel drain on the filter, insert the blow nozzle in the filler neck, with a rag wrapped around it to help seal the tank. Blow air into the tank to pressurize it (Not too much) and force the fuel to the fuel pump. The pumps won't pull the fuel from the tank unless you prime them.
Should work like a charm.

Thank you everyone for your help. We have tried everything and so far nothing...must be something else with our 2002 F350 Powerstroke....thank you again!
Waiting now to tow it. :-/