99 7.3 Won't start

[SMOKNZ]

Earlier in December I took my truck to tow my snowmobile trailer a couple miles away to a friends field to play around. On my way I noticed the truck loosing power and I could barely do 50 mph with it floored. I limped it to my destination and it then died. I attempted to start it and it would attempt to start but would not catch. I had this issue last winter when I had water in my tank, so I dumped the fuel filter bowl and refilled the filter housing and tried again. I replaced the fuel filter and tried again, no luck. I towed it home and it has been sitting in the yard ever since. I had run Biodiesel in it all summer, and I had just about run it out and then filled with normal diesel. I figured maybe the bio gelled or something and I would have to wait until spring when it thawed out. I have tried on 2 seperate days now when the temps have been above 40 to start it. Today was above 50 and still it wouldn't start. I even pulled the fuel filter and drained the filter bowl and turned on the key to verify that the fuel was liquid, which it was and it seemed to pump into the filter bowl OK. I'm thinking I have another issue. Due the the fact that it seemed to fade away over a few miles and then die I wouldn't think it was the CPS. It tried to start and will even chug a few times and die. Dark smoke comes out the tail pipe during this time, so it seems the injectors are firing. I cannot verify fuel pressure yet as my gauge is not hooked up. WHat else can I check? I know my batteries aren't the greatest. After fully charging they won't crank but a few minutes and they are pretty drained. Start here? Any help would be appreciated

Bill

 

[Tbar]

What is your oil level and when was it changed last?


Tbar

 

[DaveBen]

Batteries cause more no-starts than anything else. You may think they are OK, but if they can't spin the engine fast enough, no start. Get them checked under a load. Most good shops have this type of checker.

Dave

 

[SMOKNZ]

What is your oil level and when was it changed last?


Tbar

It's been over a year since it's been changed. I haven't checked the level lately. I only put 2000 miles on it since the last change. The truck has been doing Vacation Only duties since Diesel was so expensive. I will check the level and see what it is at. It makes good oil pressure when it cranks if that matters.

Bill

 

[SMOKNZ]

Batteries cause more no-starts than anything else. You may think they are OK, but if they can't spin the engine fast enough, no start. Get them checked under a load. Most good shops have this type of checker.

Dave

Dave,

When fully charged they spin over the motor fine, for a while anyways.

Bill

 

[KRISTOLSON]

i agree tbar-with check the oil level. as little as 3 quarts low can cause a no start situation, and like it or not, these things do use/leak oil.

 

[KRISTOLSON]

If the h/p oil system is not picking up oil, it wont show on your dash guage.

 

[DaveBen]

Bill, It is the "for a while" part that tells me that the batteries may be going. If they can't turn over at the RPMs that the PCM likes (450 rpms I think) it will not fire the injectors and no start. The oil level plays an equally important role. No oil pressure and it won't fire the injectors either.

Dave

 

[The Dude]

my truck did the same thing! It turned out whom ever was under the valve covers last did not clip the harnest back in all the way! there for it would do the same thing you dscribed on and off! IT drove me nuts ! I haven`t had it happen since!

 

[DaveBen]

OK, now you have three things to look at; batteries, oil level, and Under Valve Cover harnesses (UVC). The Cam Position Sensor (CPS) is another thing that will make the truck a no start. There is a new one out that is like $30.

Dave