Air in the fuel line

[XCSC]

Proud owner of a 2003 7.3L F-250 I bought back in October.

However... truck died the other morning about a mile away from my house, pulled the filter and it was pretty dirty & seemed restricted, so I replaced it. Filled the fuel bowl 1/2 full, screwed the cap on, cycled the fuel pump 5 times, checked for leaks, found nothing, so I started it up. Motor ran for about 2-3 seconds and died. Turned it over a few more times and nothing.

Did some more research, pulled the filter again, removed the filter check valve just in case that was malfunctioning, and started filling the bowl to see how the incoming fuel looked. Lots of gurgling, then once the fuel level in the bowl passed the inlet port, just a ton of bubbles. It's definitely getting fuel along w/ the air, but lots of air.

Before I pull the tank and check for restrictions and possibly do that hutch mod, does anyone else know of any other things I should check that may account for all the air in the line?

Thanks.

[jesilvas]

How full was the tank?

[XCSC]

Just below 1/4 tank.

I'm thinking it's the fuel pickup in the tank. Planning on doing the hutch mod.

[jhobbs26]

These trucks are notorius for sucking air when they get below 1/4 tank. Definitely do the tank and fuel line mods if your is sucking air that bad.

[jesilvas]

I'd agree with that too.

[XCSC]

Ordered the pre-pump kit from Strictly Diesel. Also replacing the fuel bowl seals (had a leak, pretty sure it's coming from the bowl drain lever). I'll post the results.

[XCSC]

Realized I forgot to post my results from the Hutch mod...

Dropping the tank was a bit tedious, but got the mod installed. I used the kit from Strictly Diesel. Also did the harpoon mod.
Primed the new filter, cycled the fuel pump a few times, and boom: truck started fine, and has been running well ever since.