2002 7.3 L will not start

[GoHardrGoHome]

I have a 2002 F250 with a 7.3 liter engine that will not start. I need some help.! To give you some background... the truck was parked for two years. We changed the fuel filter and started it up. It ran very smooth. We took it for a 10 mile trip down to the car wash and when we returned it sounded like it was missing. While we were listening to it, it decided to stop. We let it sit for a few minutes and then re-started it... still missing and eventually stopped after a few minutes. I took out the new fuel filter for inspection. The filter was clean and there appears to be no water or contamination of any sort in the bowl. I've worked with commercial sized diesel engines but I know nothing about the Ford diesel engines. Can someone please advise where I should start the troubleshooting process. A step-by-step process would be great.
Thanks, in advance.

[GoHardrGoHome]

Forgot to mention, at this point it will not start. It does have smoke when cranking it over and it sounds like it is firing on one or two cylinders but not enough there to start the engine.

[stroker0920]

Sorry, I was reading your post and I couple help but notice that you didn't say when the last time the oil was changed. Was the tank full of diesel when it was parked?

[Turbostang500]

Do a search for UVCH.
That is where i would start.

[RedDye01]

Under valve cover gaskets have been a problem for me twice now but the truck has always run with te passenger or driver side out. Even if one is unplygged yhe yruck will still start. It will run like crap but itll start... i havent ever had a cps issue but that would be my guess. Does the tach move when you try go turn it over??

[stroker0920]

Originally Posted by RedDye01

Under valve cover gaskets have been a problem for me twice now but the truck has always run with te passenger or driver side out. Even if one is unplygged yhe yruck will still start. It will run like crap but itll start... i havent ever had a cps issue but that would be my guess. Does the tach move when you try go turn it over??

I heard on the 02s that the tach won't move until it starts up.

[Turbostang500]

It doesnt have to be just one bank that shuts off.
They are easy and free to diagnose so that is where I would start.

I'm not sayin it isnt a CPS, IPR, fuel pickup in tank, ICP, or IDM.

just the first place I would start.

[GoHardrGoHome]

Hey, great to see lots of replies so quickly. I'm liking this forum already:-)
I don't know when the oil was last changed. The engine oil level is right to the FULL line and the fuel gage shows 3/4 of a tank of fuel. Are you pulling my leg? What does oil change interval or fuel tank level have to do with the issue? The tach does move when I try to start the engine.
Sorry, but the acronyms are throwing me for a loop! What are UVCH, CPS, IPR, ICP, and IDM, and could you please provide a bit more detail.
I don't think there is a problem with fuel delivery from the tank, i.e., with the fuel filter removed and the key ON, there is good flow of clean diesel going into the filter bowl. If nothing else, I would expect this to be at least enough fuel to start the engine.
Thanks again for the support from fellow users.

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by stroker0920

I heard on the 02s that the tach won't move until it starts up.

That's right, and some '01's too. There was an electrical upgrade during the '01 run and, if you have a trans temp gauge in the cluster, you have this upgrade. So, an '01 with the gauge and ALL '02/03's will NOT show cranking rpm.

[stroker0920]

Originally Posted by GoHardrGoHome

Hey, great to see lots of replies so quickly. I'm liking this forum already:-)
I don't know when the oil was last changed. The engine oil level is right to the FULL line and the fuel gage shows 3/4 of a tank of fuel. Are you pulling my leg? What does oil change interval or fuel tank level have to do with the issue? The tach does move when I try to start the engine.
Sorry, but the acronyms are throwing me for a loop! What are UVCH, CPS, IPR, ICP, and IDM, and could you please provide a bit more detail.
I don't think there is a problem with fuel delivery from the tank, i.e., with the fuel filter removed and the key ON, there is good flow of clean diesel going into the filter bowl. If nothing else, I would expect this to be at least enough fuel to start the engine.
Thanks again for the support from fellow users.

UVCH-Under valve cover harness
CPS-Cam position sensor
IPR-Injector pressure regulator
ICP-Injection control pressure sensor
IDM-Injector Drive Module