Relay getting HOT!

[OkPlatinum]

First, I obviously know very little about the engine in my 01 7.3L F-250. Now the background and problem. First I changed the fuel filter, had a leak and spewed diesel all over the place. No problem. Corrected and cleaned up mess in driveway. Started truck this morning and saw smoke from the rear of the two relays to the left of the fuel pump. That relay was smoking and melting the boot on the supply side of the relay. I disconnect the output and start the truck fine and the relay isn't hot. I am sure I got something wet and caused the problem, but what is the relay for? I think the front one is the glow plug relay, but the rear one, I don't know. It has brown and yellow wires coming from the output. Any help is appreciated. I am trying to track it down with my service dvd from ebay and it is junk. Any suggestions on service manuals is appreciated also. Thanks in advnace.--mark

[SCUFFY828]

the rear one is the glow plug relay and it will get hot , the front one which is slightly taller is the intake air heater

[OkPlatinum]

I think it's OK. I degreased and cleaned up the engine real good, getting the oily fuel off of everything. I think what I was seeing was the diesel burning off the rubber boot. It stopped getting hot a little after the truck was started, and since I cleaned it, it hasn't smoked much. Thanks for helping me identify another compononent on the engine. I am learning, slowly. --mark

[Big AL]

Originally Posted by OkPlatinum

I think it's OK. I degreased and cleaned up the engine real good, getting the oily fuel off of everything. I think what I was seeing was the diesel burning off the rubber boot. It stopped getting hot a little after the truck was started, and since I cleaned it, it hasn't smoked much. Thanks for helping me identify another compononent on the engine. I am learning, slowly. --mark

Glad that's all it was.