[sgregg64]

Hello Everyone,

I am having difficulty with my 2000 F250 7.3 auto. It has occurred four times now. Details below:

1-Driving down my back road that is a bit lumpy. Bouncing around a little. Truck stumbled, sputtered and stopped. Showed 1/4 tank fuel. Good fast crank but no start. Added 4 gallons of fuel "just in case". Cycled the lift pump a ridiculous number of times to no effect.
Weather turned bad and the truck sat for several days. Next I replaced the CPS. Cranked and kinda tried to start. I left it for another two days and then cycled the lift pump repeatedly. Then cranked and started but with VERY bad miss(es). I managed to get it home and it started running better when it warmed up.

A bad miss when cold continued. After reaching around 160F it would smooth out.

2- Driving in town on paved road with 1/4 tank of fuel. Made a sharp left. Engine stumbled and quit. I thought "bad fuel gauge". Added 5-6 gallons of fuel. Cycled lift pump many times. Crank no start. Called a tow truck.

The tow driver held the schrade valve in the valley open while I cycled the lift pump several times. Cranked and started right up.

Cold miss problem gone..... Truck running fine.

3- SOS. A bit over 1/4 than of fuel. Stalled, crank no start. I did my best to duplicate what the tow truck driver did. Success.

4- Back in the same spot as #1. Same except 7/8 tank of fuel. Tried shrade valve again briefly. No success. Had to leave for a couple hours. Came back, tried schrade valve. Success. Truck running again.

Any thoughts??

Thanks

Stephen

 

[Jax]

What is this shrade valve of which you write?

1. Get FORScan scanning software for Fords (free) and an OBDII reader. Greatest troubleshooting tool ever! I do not have financial interest in this tool. I just love it.

2. DO NOT throw parts at it . . . if you must, then make them Motorcraft parts. Ford diesels are quite particular about their sensors.

3. Come back with the codes. Lots and lots of smart people here!

Just a SWAG - you are getting air in your fuel lines somehow. Does the fuel bowl leak? Use the FORScan -- it will tell you any thing you want to know about your truck.

 

[Jax]

If you fill your fuel tank to the gills when the tank gauge says "1/4 tank", how many gallons does it take?

 

[1970something]

sounds to me like you have a loose connection somewhere in the fuel pump line that is being rattled loose on the rough road.

 

[sgregg64]

It is not throwing any codes.

When it quits, it won't start unless I purge it. Would that be the case if it was fuel pump wiring?

When I turn the ignition on, the electric fuel pump runs without issue. Even when it won't start.

???

 

[OBSpstroke97]

You have have a broken pick up / shower head in the fuel tank. Notorious for running out of fuel at 1/4 tank.

Also, it would be a good idea to check fuel pressure. You can use the Schrader valve with the truck running and check it.