Truck runs rough, dies, restarts

[F-250 Lariat]

About a month ago my '01 7.3L automatic (165,000mi) starting losing power while driving down the highway with the cruise control on. I pulled to the side of the road and gave it a visual inspection, found nothing and continued. Truck ran fine the next several days.

It has gotten increasing worse. No Check Engine Light. No codes 0n my Actron CP9125 OBD II Pocket Scan. No Codes on the Edge Programmer. (I have since Uninstalled the Edge. Truck ran better for several days) It acts like it is starving for fuel. The fuel filter had less than 5,000 miles, but I replaced it anyway. The bottom of the canister is clean. The truck may run fine for a hundred miles and then just start losing power, shudder and die. Now, you can start it and let it idle for a while (15-20 minutes) and it will die on it's own; slow and painful. I thought maybe the fuel pump was weak so I added an Oil Pressure gauge to the outlet on the fuel filter housing. The truck maintains 60lbs even as it starts shuddering and dieing.

Suggestions? These days I have more time than money so taking it to a dealership and paying for their Christmas party is out of the question. I have driven diesels since '96 but I have never had any cause to work on one other than minor stuff (water pump, alternators, etc.)

PS
I don't mean to insult anyone that works at a dealership just saying that the current situation is gonna require me to handle this one. I'm hoping some of you guys can walk me through it.

**I originally posted in wrong Year Model thread

[duck fan]

Unplug the ICP sensor and check for oil in the connector.

[F-250 Lariat]

Originally Posted by duck fan

Unplug the ICP sensor and check for oil in the connector.

Thanks! I'll try that when I get home.

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[F-250 Lariat]

Originally Posted by duck fan

Unplug the ICP sensor and check for oil in the connector.

It's full of oil Duck. I take it that is not normal?

[duck fan]

Originally Posted by F-250 Lariat

It's full of oil Duck. I take it that is not normal?

Nope, that is a sign that it is going out. That is probably the issue, but on the outside chance it isn't the current issue it will be one shortly. I would ahead and replace it with a new one. You can get one from your local Ford dealer or grab one from Riffraff Diesel in the link below. I haven't found a better price on one. I wish I had replaced mine but I kept waiting and it went out on my in the middle of Arizona and I paid almost $300 because I had no choice but the stealership.

Riffraff Diesel: Motorcraft ICP Sensor 97-03

[F-250 Lariat]

Originally Posted by duck fan

Nope, that is a sign that it is going out. That is probably the issue, but on the outside chance it isn't the current issue it will be one shortly. I would ahead and replace it with a new one. You can get one from your local Ford dealer or grab one from Riffraff Diesel in the link below. I haven't found a better price on one. I wish I had replaced mine but I kept waiting and it went out on my in the middle of Arizona and I paid almost $300 because I had no choice but the stealership.

Riffraff Diesel: Motorcraft ICP Sensor 97-03

I have unplugged it and am waiting to see if it dies again. The local O'Reilly can have one tomorrow for $173. However, I have a buddy that runs a shop that works on gassers. He can probably get me the part for the same price as Riffraff. Any problems with aftermarket?


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[F-250 Lariat]

Truck died just the same ......

Idled 5 minutes or so and just died.


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[jesilvas]

You might have the fuel pickup assembly in the tank getting clogged up. They will show the same, good pressure, but can't suck up anything else.

[F-250 Lariat]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

You might have the fuel pickup assembly in the tank getting clogged up. They will show the same, good pressure, but can't suck up anything else.

Thanks. Do I have to drop the tank to inspect?


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[jesilvas]

Or pull the bed off.