Low mileage truck ENGINE MISS / HELP!

[texasstroker]

I just bought a 1997 FORD F-350 crew cab dually with a SHOW TRUCKS USA Conversion package and 49-k actual miles! 7.3L diesel, auto.

Truck has been setting I know for sure since Oct 2008. Has bad batteries and cable ends.

1) Truck had to be juiced to start it
2) Runs rough at idle, but takes the fuel and runs perfect down the road. idle the truck up just a bit and runs great.
3) After driving I turned it of and tried to restart, turned over great but would not fire off until I shot it again.

What I have done so far:
1) I checked the harness going to the valve covers, all 4 felt tight, right front had some oil around the plug when I removed it.
2) Started pulling my hair out.
I thought I should know what and where to look, but I am lost!

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by texasstroker

I just bought a 1997 FORD F-350 crew cab dually with a SHOW TRUCKS USA Conversion package and 49-k actual miles! 7.3L diesel, auto.

Truck has been setting I know for sure since Oct 2008. Has bad batteries and cable ends.

1) Truck had to be juiced to start it
2) Runs rough at idle, but takes the fuel and runs perfect down the road. idle the truck up just a bit and runs great.
3) After driving I turned it of and tried to restart, turned over great but would not fire off until I shot it again.

What I have done so far:
1) I checked the harness going to the valve covers, all 4 felt tight, right front had some oil around the plug when I removed it.
2) Started pulling my hair out.
I thought I should know what and where to look, but I am lost!

Have you tried a buzz/contrib test on it? Sounds like a bad injector.

[texasstroker]

Not yet, I did not think it would be an injector since it runs so good down the road and even if I idle it up just a little. I can idle it to around 900 or 1000rpms and it runs GREAT!

What about the lift pump???

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by texasstroker

Not yet, I did not think it would be an injector since it runs so good down the road and even if I idle it up just a little. I can idle it to around 900 or 1000rpms and it runs GREAT!

What about the lift pump???

My 450 shoots 7 cyl at idle, and all 8 while driving.

[texasstroker]

Can someone explain the "buzz/contrib test"??

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by texasstroker

Can someone explain the "buzz/contrib test"??

You'll need a scan tool with diesel diag. capabilities. This type of scanner can perform both buzz & contrib tests & will give you codes if there are any problems with your injectors, or IDM. More likely, you'll need to perform a contrib test since it only sounds like 1 injector. I wouldn't bother with the buzz test unless you were having serious idle & driveability issues. A buzz test will test your injection system's electrical(IDM & amplyfier pistons inside injectors), & a contribution test tests the injector's output. The HEUI system doesn't have a lift pump.

[Ryan Rønning]

Did you run the buzz/contrib test yet?

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by RRonning1984

Did you run the buzz/contrib test yet?

Me or him?

[texasstroker]

Not yet, been replacing batteries, cable ends and removing the tool box that takes up half the inside of the bed. Was going to try that first thing Monday.

[2005F250]

It's just probably bad fuel.