2002 F350 Fuel Problem, Won't Start

[ZTedster]

Three days ago I was close to running out of fuel. I stopped and put $90 of fuel in. I got about 20 miles and the truck started losing power. I drove the last 20 miles home between 10-50 mph.

Going up hills I could only do 10 mph. Going down hills I could do 50. I could never give the truck any more than 1/8th throttle or it would stumble. It also had a rough idle.

The next morning I started the truck. It idled fairly smooth for about 30 seconds, then I started working the gas pedal. It stumbled and would only idle.

I changed the fuel filter. Now the truck wouldn't even start. I checked the fuel pump and it was locked up. I put in a new fuel pump. Still won't start.

I dropped the tank and checked the screen on the fuel foot. It is clean as a whistle.

I have tried blowing compressed air in the tank. The only thing that happens is I see a small jet of fuel spray into the fuel bowl from the return line.

Truck runs with spray...after disconnecting glow plugs

I'm at wits end. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try. I am losing days of work I cannot afford to lose.

2002 F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab
7.3 diesel
38 gallon fuel tank
Everything on this truck is factory stock
184,000 miles
Frame mounted fuel pump

[ToMang07]

Is the CEL coming on?

Is the WTS/GP light going on/off like normal?

Fuel in Fuel Bowl?

Oil in the HPOP Res?

The first two things I would check would be the CPS and the ICP... CPS you have to pull/replace, ($25-50) and you can test the ICP by unpluging it (Its on the end of the driver's side valve cover beside the HPOP). If it runs w/ the ICP unplugged, bad ICP. It sounds like it could be the IPR too, but I'm guessing. Hopefully more experienced people will be along.

[ZTedster]

Thank you for taking the time to help.

CEL, WTS...you're talking to a dummy here. i don't know what those mean.

The HPOP, yup, I know that one. No I did not check it, but will.

The fuel bowl is not filling up. Before dropping the tank I tried blowing air in the tank with a compressor while turning on the ignition. The pump ran for 20 seconds then shut off. I did this 3 times to no avail. It still was not sending fuel to the fuel bowl on top the engine. It sounded like it spun freely without any fuel running through it. I believe the computer only lets the pump run for 20 seconds before it turns it off.

When I dropped the tank I pulled out the pickup and sending unit, which is all 1 unit.

There is a rubber cup at the bottom with a screen in it. That was clean. The two tubes go into a white, sort of like, double cylinder thing. I blew into both tubes and there appears to be no obstructions at all.

ICP. I tried it unplugged. Truck still won't start. Don't know if the CPS is bad. The truck runs while spraying, but might not determine if the CPS is bad.

[ToMang07]

CEL = Check Engine Light.
WTS/GP = Wait to Start or Glow Plug Light.

Sounds like a fuel or PCM issue if there is no fuel in the bowl.

Is there a chip in the PCM?

[late_99_PSD]

Sounds like maybe you got a bad batch of fuel. Take out your fuel filter and see if there's any crud in there.

edit: nevermind, you already had it off, if the pumps pumping but no fuel is coming up to the bowl then I would try taking off the line into the pump and make your own tank (quart bottle or something) and then see what kind of fuel delivery you get.


Sounds alot like you pump is shot.

[ZTedster]

The CEL comes on. My neighbor has a scanner, but there were no codes.

Yes, the Glow Plug light. Yes, that comes on, then turns off after about 5-10 seconds.

A chip in the PCM??? Is that the truck's computer? No, I have not chipped the truck. She's my mule work truck, and I have kept her bone stock, with hopes of getting 500K miles out of her. I hope that answered your question.

[ZTedster]

I changed the fuel filter. It appeared to be a little dirty, but nothing wierd. Problem is, as soon as I put the new filter in, the truck stopped starting at all. At least with the old filter the truck would start.

[ZTedster]

Originally Posted by late_99_PSD

Sounds alot like you pump is shot.

I hope not. It's brand new.

[late_99_PSD]

If you lines are clear, and your gettiing voltage to the pump then there isn't realy anything else that can go wrong.

Is it a Ford Pump?

[ZTedster]

Originally Posted by late_99_PSD

Is it a Ford Pump?

Sadly, no. I had to buy a knock off from Carquest. I can't afford to get a Motorcraft one yet. It's embarrassing to say that, but in my profession, this recession/depression has put a lot of folks in my trade on their knees.