Rough idle, problem inside valve cover

[blbowers]

My ’97 F350, 7.3 with 240K began idling very rough after a difficult start. It smelled like something burning so I checked under the hood and there was no smoke. I removed the oil cap and smoke was coming from inside the valve cover and it smelled like burned plastic. With the engine idling (very roughly) I disconnected each of the four plugs feeding into the valve covers. I’m assuming these are for the fuel injectors but I’m not sure. Disconnecting either of the two on the passenger side had no effect on the rough idling situation. Disconnecting either of the two on the driver’s side caused the motor to die.

Could anyone advise what the problem could be? Should I take it to a shop or do it myself? I am not a mechanic, but I manage to stumble through oil changes, brake jobs, water pumps, alternators, shocks, and stuff like that.

Any help is appreciated!!! Thank you!

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by blbowers

My ’97 F350, 7.3 with 240K began idling very rough after a difficult start. It smelled like something burning so I checked under the hood and there was no smoke. I removed the oil cap and smoke was coming from inside the valve cover and it smelled like burned plastic. With the engine idling (very roughly) I disconnected each of the four plugs feeding into the valve covers. I’m assuming these are for the fuel injectors but I’m not sure. Disconnecting either of the two on the passenger side had no effect on the rough idling situation. Disconnecting either of the two on the driver’s side caused the motor to die.

Could anyone advise what the problem could be? Should I take it to a shop or do it myself? I am not a mechanic, but I manage to stumble through oil changes, brake jobs, water pumps, alternators, shocks, and stuff like that.

Any help is appreciated!!! Thank you!

Time for new UVCH, glow plugs and valve cover gaskets.

[blbowers]

So the harness is likely damaged. How challenging is the project? Should I go ahead and change out the injectors, too? To my knowledge they have never been changed.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by blbowers

So the harness is likely damaged. How challenging is the project? Should I go ahead and change out the injectors, too? To my knowledge they have never been changed.

Don't mess with the injectors. Just replace the 4 glow plugs, 2 harnesses and the valve cover gasket. It's not overly difficult but will take you a few hours if you've never worked on one before.

[blbowers]

THANKS to everyone! So these are the parts I have selected. I could not find the Motorcraft or Beru plugs. Will this stuff work? Obviuosly I'll purchase another VC gasket, too. Again, thanks to all!

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/R...+50028+2028036

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...+50028+2028036