Posted 2007-04-02 12:15 PM (#58296) Subject: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Regular
Posts: 56 Location: Oregon
We have an 03 Diesel 7.3L engine. A couple of weeks ago the truck started acting strange. When driving down the road with your foot on the gas. Engine normally progressing through gears. With no change in the accelateration the truck would just stop getting gas for a second then resume normally. I took the truck to my repair guys for inspection. They checked the computer, there wasn't a thrown code. They suggested changing the fuel filter ($145) which I did. The next week the truck starts doing the same thing. Then Friday, while pulling an empty horse trailer, the truck not only acted like it lost the gas but it died in the middle of the road. This happend twice on Friday. Pulled a load on Saturday with out any problems. It hasn't happened again, however I don't want to be pulling my ponies and have the truck just quit in the middle of the road. Any suggestions?Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted 2007-04-02 2:01 PM (#58309 - in reply to #58296) Subject: RE: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Nashville, TN
The sympton you describe it typical when the CPS (Cam position Sensor) starts to go south. It is a sensor down along the main crank pulley that uses a hall effect magnetic pickup to provide a signal to the computer. When it goes bad, it typically doesn't fail completely, it will work intermittently and do just as you describe...one minute everything is fine and the next minute the motor is dead. Most Ford enthusiasts keep a spare in the glove box..only takes one time stranded in the middle of nowhere. You can buy the sensor from Ford or from International (they make the engine) or on e-bay...probably anywhere from $60 - $100 dollars.
The sensor will eventually throw a code but the symptons you describe are the classic ones.
When the truck dies, one way of checking is to watch the tachometer when you are attempting to crank the truck. Normally you can see the tach pulse ....with a bad cps, the needle never moves.
PS...you may want to find another mechanic if they are charging $145 for a fuel filter. It is a 5 minute job and a $10 part.
Posted 2007-04-02 4:25 PM (#58319 - in reply to #58296) Subject: RE: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
I would agree about the CPS. 99+% chance that's the problem. It's also fairly easy to change if you or someone you know is the least bit mechanically inclined. The CPS is under the big pulley on the front of the engine, wires plugged into it and a bolt holding it in place. You have to get to it from underneath the truck, then just unplug, unbolt, and pull that sucker out.... it's in fairly snug but it'll come out. Can't remember what size wrench for sure.
PS
If your repair guy didn't have an idea about the CPS then I would definately find someone else to work on it, very common problem and very well known..... also the $145 for the fuel filter is way high.
Posted 2007-04-02 5:07 PM (#58323 - in reply to #58319) Subject: RE: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: White Lake, MI
Another vote for the Camshaft position Sensor. They are usually cheapest from the International dealer. I think Ford gets about $120 and I got mine from the International dealer for $85. It's a pretty easy do it yourself project. A little tougher if you have the dual alternators, but not too bad.
Posted 2007-04-02 5:18 PM (#58325 - in reply to #58296) Subject: RE: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
I agree, sounds like a CPS, they don't always throw a code. It takes 10 to 20 minutes to change one out. You'll need a new CPS, a 10mm Socket and a flat head screwdriver.
You should definitely keep a spare in your glove box, especially when travelling. They can leave you stranded on the side of the road and can last 10 miles or 200,000 miles.
Posted 2007-04-03 9:41 AM (#58385 - in reply to #58296) Subject: RE: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Regular
Posts: 56 Location: Oregon
Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll go to international today and look for the sensor. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but with this diesel looks like I need to become better at it. I thought the price of the fuel filter was a bit high, however I called around for the part, it was priced from $54 to $85. Sometimes I think Southern Oregon is the most expensive place in the world and with vehicles, you can always afford to order it online and wait for it to get here!Thanks again for the ideas!Colleen
Posted 2007-04-03 7:50 PM (#58412 - in reply to #58385) Subject: RE: 03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
Hopefully they can get you one without a VIN number..... sometimes they can't figure out how to get off their chairs to get anything without one.8 Anyhow, tell them it's for a T444E (that's the engine), 2003 model if they say it won't work in a Ford or something like that because it will.
03 Ford Diesel 7.3L HELP
