My engine started giving me some trouble a few weeks ago. Upon starting a warm engine, it would starve for fuel and run rough until I feathered the pedal and increased RPM's.

I also noticed on occasion while at highway speed a loss of fuel for a second or two.

Yesterday it started and died. Since then, starting is difficult.When I try to turn it over there is no smoke from the exhaust at first. Turning it over for a while increases the smoke from the exhaust until it starts and then dies like it is out of fuel again. I changed the fuel pump with no changes to running.

I can hear the solenoid in the fuel injector make and break contact as I remove and replace the connectors with the ignition in the on position.

I strongly suspect the fuel injector pump is gone and I am going to replace it.
Problem is I do not know which 7.3 liter diesel I have. It would appear tha there are 2 engines, a 166 HP and a 188 HP engine. The truck is not a high altitude or arctic version.

It is a 1990 F250 Diesel with auto and a/c, 4x4.
Vin is 1FTHX26M3LKA95702

Anyone have a clue which one I have?

Thanks,
Jason

 

look on the passenger side valve cover, behind the fuel filter. there is a tag with all the engine info on it.

 

Thanks! How did I miss that? 185 it is!

Now tell me, where can I get the socket necessary to remove the multi point star drive on the oil fill cover in front of the pump? It looks to have 16 points rather than the usual 8 point star.

Thanks again,
Jason

 

Duh! Nevermind.... standard 12 point 5/16 socket

 

Check the injector return lines for leaks. Fuel leaking out or air going in.
Hate to see ya change a good pump.
pm me if you want me to walk you thorough it

 

my brother has a newer version of the 7.3 and his did the same thing and it was the CPS {camshaft position sensor } located on the front of the engine

 

LOL.... too late. I pulled it out just a short time ago.
I spoke with a very knowledgeable mechanic about it and he too thought it was the pump.

I couldn't get the three nuts off and resorted to pulling the injection pump gear housing. Of course I messed up the location of the gear. Duh! I took a good look at the position before lifting it but I am uneasy about replacing it.

How bad did I screw this one up?????

Will it run at all if I'm off a tooth?
I assume if it does in fact run but runs poorly I can just loosen the cover and move it over one tooth (one way or the other)

I should have taken a picture of the position BEFORE even considering popping the cover. Ugh!!!!!!

 

It might run but not very well.
Did you get another pump?
I have a 92 7.3 that just threw a rod at 470,000 miles. It was without a doubt the best truck I have ever had.
Good luck and let us know the outcome.
Best,
Justin

 

Pump is on order and by the looks of things, I might not need it.
I found it leaking fuel this morning and upon inspection I found a hole in the metal supply line feeding the fuel pump. It is leaking where the line runs over the axle.

I am beginning to think there was a pin hole there to begin with and that it was sucking air....

Last week, it was wet on the frame but I could not detect any smell. I and my mechanic both thought it was power steering fluid. I suspect now it was fuel and that the pump was sucking air....

Question now is, do I just go ahead and replace it anyway. I've already got it out of the truck and all....

Truck has 210,000 miles. Typically, how long do these injection pumps last?

BTW... I ordered the pump from AutoZone online for $300 delivered.

 

In my experience the original pump will outlast several "remanufactured" ones. If you are commited to buy it I would hang onto it as a spare or sell it to a forum brother.
My truck had the original pump at 470k. I did repair a leak similar to yours and did the return lines a couple times. It ran perfect until the day it died.
I always used power service, 2cycle oil, or ATF with the fuel to lubricate the pump.
Keep the filter changed and that ruck will last a long, long time.
Remember to use the Wixcool or something in the coolant to stop cavitation.
I used 15W40 Rotella for many years then switched to Delvac by Mobil.

I believe you have the best truck ever made by anyone.
It may be a little weak in the towing dept. but just give it time and it will do whatever you ask of it. The other great thing is they dont overheat when pulling long grades. I have passed all kinds of other trucks sitting on the side of a 6% grade cooling off.

Good luck, and let us know the outcome. If I can help on or off board let me know. I have been through lots of things having owned 4 of the Intl. Diesels.

Best,
Justin

 

Before you ever buy a pump you should check or replace all the fuel system related seals and flex fuel lines, check the metal lines, and if you can, have the injectors pressure tested before spending big$$$ on a new pump.

Injectors can be had for $17 online (but that's still $136 for all 8), but the pump is costly to swap out just to have it run no better.

 

Decided to put it all back together. I repaired the fuel feed line and put the pump back in.
I had a heck of a time getting the timing back but in the end it's running strnger than ever before (weak fuel pump perhaps).

I emailed Autozone and tried to cancel the injector pump. It was still showing as being processed so hopefully, it won't ship. If it does, I may keep it or I may just refused delivery....

One thing I have noticed is that under hard acceleration I now have some smoke from the exhaust which I never had before. Then again, I have more power now too....
I think that in the 8 years I've owned this truck, it has been starving for fuel. It was lacking in the towing dept. but it was still manageable. I'm about out of fuel from the leaking overnight (there wasn't much in there to begin with) so trailering the boat for a test run will have to wait until later.

What do you all think of the presence of black smoke when I stomp on it now? Normal, timing still off a bit?

Thanks,
Jason

 

a little smoke when you stomp on it is normal with a non turbo engine. if it is allot of black smoke, the fuel may have been turned up to compensate for the fuel line sucking air.

 

Black smoke looks cool
I agree with Tom a little smoke is normal.
Glad you got it fixed.

 

Just posting to extend my gratitude for the help.
I managed to cancel the order for the injection pump and the truck is running better than it ever did.
My screwing with the timing had the benefit of getting it right on.
The truck starts in the blink of an eye now, has more power and is using less fuel.

I feel like one lucky guy.

Too bad the body on this truck is so bad. I feel like it could run forever now.

Thanks again,
Jason