7.3L 2002 running rough on startup, 1st time ever

[chixwithtrix]

Didn't post in the 911 forum, but it is urgent, I'm just at work now gathering info....

Came out this morning to start my F250 (2002, 7.3L, 2wd, 170K miles, auto) turned the key and it turned over like normal, but when it started it sounded like it was running rough, or misfiring?

I'm familiar with gas engines, but diesel not so much. From the sound it sounds like a misfire in a gas engine. Running very rough, possibly not all cylinders, didn't keep it on long enough to see if it would die itself. What could it be? Fuel, injectors, weather...?

Stuff that might help diagnosis....
-parked it in my driveway to wash it a few days ago. It was warm (80s) and sunny and running fine.
-today it rained and a cold front came through (60 degrees or so, damp) before I went out to start it. Have not driven the truck since I parked it.
-The fuel tank is almost empty
-no check engine lights on from what I can remember, but I didn't let it run long
-my driveway is on a pretty steep incline, the rear of the truck is lower than the front
-replaced the CPS about 30K miles/little over 1 year ago and have had no problems with it since
-checked oil and it isn't high or low.

The truck is mainly used for towing my car trailer around and need it in the next few days. I'm at work right now and cannot try and diagnose anything so thought I'd see if anyone had some good suggestions? Anything helps, thanks!

check to see if you have water in the fuel filter, plugged fuel filter. if you can when you first start it reach up and touch the exhaust manifold at each cylinder and see if you have any dead ones (cold). be careful as they get hot quick. More than likely its a fuel issue between the tank to the motor. also might help to get it on level ground and get more fuel in it. the "bottom" of the fuel in your tank may have quite abit of impurities in it and that might be you problem also.

My 02 did the same thing but it would run perfect after it warmed up. mine ened up being bad o-rings on my injectors.

good luck

[bigcountrysg]

Scan for codes, do an injector buzz test and cylinder contribution test.

[OregonStroker]

ya buzz test. if it was 60 out when you tried to start it, that wouldnt negate glow plugs. try dumping 5 gal of diesel in the tank before you waste a bunch of time with tests and stuff. it may be running out of fuel. they obviously wont hit on all 8 if the pump is running dry. if your driveway is on a steep incline this would cause an issue if the tank is near empty. Try 5 gal of fresh diesel first.

[guzzle]

What he said ^

[chixwithtrix]

well, got 5 gallons of fuel and put it in the tank. Started it up, ran rough then caught and smoothed out. Looks like it was empty enough that the hill affected it

[OregonStroker]

yep glad to hear thats all it was man.

[Jerryjust]

Where can I find out all the codes? Like what is the CPS,CSP, CMP. and so on.????


Thanks Jerryjust (NEWBIE)

[OregonStroker]

any scan tool will show you what code it is, you just need to cross reference it with a chilton manual, or im sure someone on the org will help you out.

[Jerryjust]

Thanks for your reply, but the scanner shows everything OK:

Jerryjust