7.3 Started began to run hard then quit

[Ckesey]

I'm needing a little help here. The whole story....over the last few weeks I've noticed a small amount of diesel in the driveway and other places I've been parking. I looked under the hood (and several posts here) and it appeared my fuel bowl drain valve was to blame. I replaced it yesterday along with a new fuel filter. After I completed these two, I started it and let it run for 3-4 mins, check for leaks, and after everything seemed dry I called project complete. THEN...I jump in it this morning and to head to work and it started just fine. I noticed in the side mirror that the blue/white smoke didn't stop after a few seconds after starting. After 15-20 seconds I noticed it begin running very rough and eventually so hard it quit. Now it won't start at all.

After reading here I suspected air in the fuel lines. I have cycled the key several times (5-6 times) and opened the new drain valve (and fuel does flow out) but still won't start.

Any ideas??? Everything was running just fine before the new drain valve and filter yesterday.

 

[BIG JOE]

Cycle the key 4/5/6 times in say.. a minute or so, but don't crank it over.. listen for the fuel pump to stop. When it stops completely, and is holding pressure.. crank it over.. if it starts.. it may buck'n snort some but it'll clear up.

I'm think'n you've got air in the fuel system.. from the drain valve R&R, and the filter change. It needs to be purged.

Joe

 

[Ckesey]

Thanks Joe.

I'll try that this afternoon when I get home. I tried cycling the key several times however I've drained the batteries trying to start it. It's cold here so it didn't take much.

 

[Ckesey]

Joe thanks for your reply. I had some time to spend troubleshooting this tonight and wanted to share what I found. When I took the new filter off I found the fuel bowl was not full and actually parts of the new filter still looked dry.

I put the old filter in and cycled the key a few times but when I took the cap off again still the same level (just a little in the very bottom). That pointed me the the fuel pump not filling the bowl. I checked the fuses and found the issue. The 20a fuse for the fuel pump (fuse 43 I believe it was) was open. After replacing it and cycling the key several times.....it fired right up!

It seems the shot fuse fuse had something to do with having the refill the bowl but not exactly sure why (maybe combination of old fuse and fuel pump working at max capacity).

 

[BIG JOE]

Glad you found that bad fuse.

Cycling the key, running the pump, with a Low battery state.. (a Load demand) could have caused the fuse to blow.

Joe