I need help, this is my daily driver!

[PFCconroy]

New to the forums. I read around a bit and couldn't seem to find thread with my problem. Anyways...

I have a 1997 F350 Crew Cab Dually 7.3 PSD 2wd. 347,000 miles. Recent oil change and transmission flush. It is almost completely stock except for the 10k mod.

About a week ago I put a good 3000lbs of wood in the back and drove for about a day with it until I finally dumped it all. Truck ran fine even with all the weight. However yesterday everything just seemed to start falling apart. Minus the driver side door handle breaking off my major problem is the way it drives. I have no get up and go, no "oomphf" at all. The truck accelerates very slowly, at WOT it won't go above 2500RPM and say I'm in 1st gear at WOT it won't shift. It will just get up to 20MPH and 2500RPM and nothing. If I back off to half throttle then it will shift. And if I am already cruising on the road say I need to pass somebody. I put it down and it just downshifts into 3rd, 2500RPM and I lose speed.

Now I don't know if this is engine, transmission, or both. If it was just having problems shifting I would say the transmission but since the engine won't seem to rev beyond 2500RPM (even in neutral or park at WOT) I don't know what the problem is. I knew the HPOP is probably going out but that can be the cause of ALL of my problems? I joined the Army as a diesel mechanic so I have some general and specific knowledge but we don't use PowerStroke or Internationals. We use Detroits, Cummins and CAT, so when it comes to the specifics on the Ford side I'm lost. Like the title says this is my daily driver and I don't have a back up.

[STROKED_NY_023]

Any CEL?? Sounds like a fuel issue to me, whens the last time you changed your fuel filter?

[PFCconroy]

No check engine light. And I haven't replaced the fuel filter. I've only had the truck for about a month and a half and still owe money on it so I'm not a very happy/lucky driver right now.

[Skew12]

At least give the fuel filter a try. Won't take much.

[STROKED_NY_023]

What's the idle like?

[PFCconroy]

After looking at a how to fuel filter article and realizing it was Ford simple I pulled out my old filter. The picture should speak for itself. I have not put in a new one yet b/c I don't have a ride to O'Rielly's. This can't possibly be the cause of all my problems? Some of them sure but not all of them right?


As for the idle, no I haven't had a problem with rough idle. Ever. The exception is my '91 C25 which for some reason will idle at 30mph or ~1200 rpm from time to time. But this is a Ford forum and not Chevy and that's a whole other can of worms.

[greenbeast]

It looks to have a lot of oil in the fuel, you may be in need of a set of injectors/ new 0-rings, especially with the number of miles that are on the truck! What does the oil level look like?

[STROKED_NY_023]

Yeah that needs to be changed for sure... Also while you have it all apart check the FPR spring, with that many miles you may want to replace it and shim it too... Wouldn't think you are getting oil from inj in the fuel bowl... Start with the filter and spring 1st and see what happens...

[PFCconroy]

Got a new filter, runs much smoother now. But other than easier and quicker starting and faster throttle response it still doesn't shift and still won't go above 2500RPM.

What is the FPR spring and where is it? As for the oil I don't know how it's getting into the fuel bowl. Does the fuel line run anywhere it could possibly be cross contaminated with oil from a leak before hitting the filter?

[jesilvas]

Read up on the HEUI system. High pressure oil fires injectors which injects diesel. The oil is at a much higher pressure than the fuel and can push itself back to the filter bowl.
FPR - fuel pressure regulator. In the attachment on the fuel bowl, driver side with two Torx screws holding it on.
Just cause there's no CEL doesn't mean there's no codes. Flashing OD light? Scan it just to be sure.
Take out the 10k mod just to be sure that's not causing it.
Check oil and trans fluid level to be sure also.
The PCM will limit the motor to keep it from redlining. At least I thought it did.