what the heck did I do?

scotto88 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:46 PM

99 F250 super duty 7.3
Truck has 285K on it but a new ford crate is in it with only 65Kish.

Yesterday I cut off the cat and the muffler and ran a straight pipe that dumps just in front of the rear end. I started the truck up just fine and took it for a few laps around the block. Ran great.

This morning I go to pull it out of the garage and it started fine but it was idling suuuuuper rough.

I was pretty low on fuel so I figured that might be the problem so I threw a few gallons in it from a transfer pump and finally got the truck started but it was idling even rougher.

I called a friend that is a ford diesel mechanic and he said it could be the cam sensor so I unplugged the sensor and tried to start the truck. Sounded night and day different when was trying to start the truck.

so I ran down and bought a new cam sensor - put it in and it started right up and started to idle much better. I left the truck to idle for 10 mins or so to clear out any ether or fuel that might be in there.

When I took it out for a test run it had zero power until about 3K RPM's and even at that it wasnt running what it should be.

Is the loss of power because of the missing cat and muffler even though it ran fine the night before???

Im confused as hell.

oh and also I have already had the under the valve cover wiring harness or whatever its called replaced about 6 months ago but the dealer didnt have any of the cam sensors or I wouldve done it at the same time.

edit to add.. Im in socal so no cold issues.

**bigwhite7.3stroker** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:50 PM

I'd check your fuel filter drain the bowl and replace the filter the exhaust has nothing to do with it just happened to occur at that time

TurboSevenThree · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:55 PM

Once you get it running normal it's gonna sound gooood.

***96whitehouse*** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwhite7.3stroker

I'd check your fuel filter drain the bowl and replace the filter the exhaust has nothing to do with it just happened to occur at that time

he said it thats what i would do cause you can run you truck straight out the turbo wouldn't do that but you can cause you think any of us with stack has a muf or kitty so i would do what bigwhite said

20stroker02 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:04 PM

Check for oil leaks off of your HPOP, if it's losing pressure at low r's that could possibly be the culprit

mako314 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:05 PM

where are you located and how cold was it it could be gelled fuel in the lines.

scotto88 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwhite7.3stroker

I'd check your fuel filter drain the bowl and replace the filter the exhaust has nothing to do with it just happened to occur at that time

Thats what I figured but Im still new to the diesels haha.

Ill grab a new fuel filter in the morning and change it out while Im doing the oil change.

Ive got an auto tap here that I can put on it in the morning too if the filter doesnt do it.