97 7.3 sounds like it has a full race cam when it is first started

[dano4]

cold starts are worse but hot starts it still does it, jumps from 300 rpms to 1200 rpms and then back to 300 ect ect will continue that for a minute or so and finally dies unless i push the throttle and raise it up to 1200 rpms and hold it there until the glow plugs turn off and voltage raises to normal, then i can lower it to an idle and it will run great the rest of the day till it is shut off and restarted, have not scanned it yet. just wondering if anyone else has had that problem before and might have some ideas. it is completely stock and it was leaking oil out of the oil cooler hopefully that will quit tomorrow when i put it back on, could it have been the oil leak and bad idle be connected?

[seniormastertech]

if it has a high pressure oil leak it could make it hard to start and run rough or if the low pressure system was draining the resivoir it could give the symptoms but doubtfull. has it had cam sensor recall performed? try unplugging icp sensor while running and see if it clears up.

[dano4]

yes all the recalls have been done, and where is the icp sensor and what does that stand for

[seniormastertech]

injection control pressure sensor it is a three wire sensor on the top front of the left cylinder head a biased reading can cause erratic or unstable idle. try unplugging it with the engine running and if it changes replace it and the pigtail. have also seen idms cause similar erratic idle concerns with high to low driver codes.

[dano4]

kewl i will try that tomorrow thanks for taking the time to help. the poor ol pickup has givin me 300,000 miles of good service with just a few problems here and there nothing internal yet, and i like to keep her in tip top shape so i appreciate any advice i can stumble upon

[seniormastertech]

no problem on a high milage truck you might also want to consider ckecking the seals on the injection pressure regulator valve the have a tendency to tear and let oil by causing hard or no start

[dano4]

where might i find them at?

[seniormastertech]

the ipr is in the botom of the valley on the high pressure oil pump below the icp sensor kind of a ***** to get to on older 7.3l

[dano4]

ok i saw that one when i was replacing fuel heater and wiring and silicone hoses from lift pump yes not fun especially outside in november in northern idaho

[seniormastertech]

they arent fun to change on a sunny day later on man