Posted 2005-07-22 6:23 AM (#28422) Subject: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Terre Haute, IN
Hi, I just bought a 95 F350 dually with the 7.3 Powerstroke diesel in it. This truck has 110,000 miles, and runs and sounds GREAT~ but then without warning the motor will die.
It starts right back up, but I'm looking for suggestions of what might be causing this.
I am a single female, and don't know anyone who works on diesels, and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on *simple things* that I could try to fix myself?
How difficult of a job is it to change the fuel filter? Does this motor have injectors on it that might benefit from having some cleaning stuff added to the fuel? Or...any other ideas?
I bought it from an individual, who lives in another state, so asking them to show me things on it is not an option.
Posted 2005-07-22 7:34 AM (#28426 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Charla,
Does it die while a.Idling b.when you go to take off c.while your driving
It is likely a sensor. Either the cam position sensor, which will cost you a $100, a 10mm allen wrench, and 15 minutes to fix or possibly the sensor on the tranny which you will need Ford to get to.
Fuel filters are not hard to change, it is dead center, top of the motor. Probably under the little 7.3L cover. It's a canister type that lifts out. As for injectors, yes it does have injectors but they are most likely not the problem here.
Posted 2005-07-22 8:55 AM (#28432 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: trailer axles
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Webster, NH
Go to 'thedieselstop.com' and learn all about Ford diesels, the good, the bad and the ugly. Lots of very knowledgeable people on the sight.Jim Clark-Dawe
Posted 2005-07-22 9:04 AM (#28433 - in reply to #28426) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Terre Haute, IN
Hi, thanks for the help...... it has died twice when idling, and twice when I was driving about 40 mph.
Thanks for telling me where the fuel filter is too... the truck came with this extremely useless book that doesn't even have the word "filter" listed in the index, lol.
Posted 2005-07-22 10:28 AM (#28440 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
The indicators you have outlined point to the cam sensor. DO NOT buy it from FORD. It will cost you twice as much. Go to an International dealer or NAPA and pay much less. And it will be the same identical part.
Posted 2005-07-22 10:42 AM (#28441 - in reply to #28440) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Central Ky.
I may be wrong,but if the cam position sensor is bad,it shouldn't start.I've never had one go out on mine,so I have no experience with it,only what I've heard.thedieselstop is a good place to gather info,as is fordtruckenthusiasts.com.
Posted 2005-07-22 11:00 AM (#28443 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
I have had two go out over the years. When they BEGIN going bad they are hit and miss, truck dying for no apparent reason, but once it is shot to hell it never starts again until replaced.
Posted 2005-07-22 11:57 AM (#28447 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Elite Veteran
Posts: 798 Location: Tenn/Ala.
You might check with previous owner & see if it ever had a chip upgrade, ala SuperChips. If so, I've had a loose chip cause this problem. If it has one, take it out & the problem should stop.
Posted 2005-07-22 12:44 PM (#28450 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
Now that you know where the fuel filter is, you also wanting to drain the water from it monthly. That lever is by the fuel filter. You'll want to put a pan under the engine to catch the water. I'm not sure which manual you have, 3 come with the truck, the one on diesel mainenance is important, which you should be able to get from a Ford dealership or www.Helminc.com is where they get it.
Posted 2005-07-24 1:22 PM (#28509 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Veteran
Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
My 99 had the cam position sensor go bad. My engine never died, it would just go to idle, usually when accelerating through 2nd and 3rd gears. When it first started, if I would put the truck into neutral and then the accelerator would seem to work, the engine would rev up and then it would take off again. The sensor never did put any failure codes into the computer so this is not always a valid check. I researched this issue on the web and most all indications were the cam sensor. I purchased it from International for about $85 and changed it myself. Problem went away.
Posted 2005-07-24 9:48 PM (#28519 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Location: Illinois
I am not completely familiar with Ford, but a bad CAM sensor will prevent starting. Once it is running, etiher the Engine position sensor or the CAM can go bad and it should still run, but maybe in a limp home mode. Does anyone know if the lift pump is electrical or mechancial? It is electrical, it could be a bad wire.
Posted 2005-07-24 11:37 PM (#28522 - in reply to #28422) Subject: RE: ?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Sounds exactly like CPS to me. Here a place with a good price and some helpful instuctions for changing it. Most of us carry a spare in glove box along with tools for the job. Keep reading on dieselsite.com and Ford Truck Enthusiasts site for other helpful maint tips.
?? on F350 7.3 Powerstroke maintenance
