So yesterday I started up the truck to go run some errands. I knew it was low on fuel, but the guage read 1/8 of a tank(I suspect my guage may not be reading right). It fired up but was rough and was blowing white smoke. It cleared up and ran OK for a bit. Halfway to the station it started running rough. It was coughing knocking and sputtering. I coasted it to the station but it died coming up the parking lot entrance. I figured it was out of fuel so I put more in, and tried to start it to no success.

So are the possible causes of this? What did I probably break if I ran it empty/low and and still drove a short distance?

I checked and there is fuel in the fuel bowl but that is the extent of what I can do with the tools I have and the location of the truck. I had it towed home but I live in a condo so it is sitting on the street.

I may need a good mechanic in the Murrieta/Temecula area of SoCal or at least within reasonable towing distance. There is a good chance these are the stock injectors with over 226K on them so I may just replace them, I also want to look at putting a new upgraded turbo in it. So I need a shop that will work with me and not try to screw me.

Thanks for the help, and yes you can call me a dumbass for possibly running out of fuel. :flipoff2:

Diesel? Check your owner's manual about bleeding the injectors.

Diesel? Check your owner's manual about bleeding the injectors.


Its not entirely a matter of what to do, I have the skills and some of the tools, its more a matter of time, and room to work. I need this truck back running ASAP and I will not have any free time for probably 2 weeks. Plus the HOA frowns on things like this. I am not saying I can't do the work. In fact if I can just get the truck running I am going to go ahead and replace a bunch of things(turbo, injectors, fuel system, water injection, etc.) hopefully in a couple of weeks at a buddies house.

Crank position sensor if it's a 7.3PSD (and if I remember correctly)

Ford PSD are self bleeding; nothing special needed to get air out of the system (or in..)

Call Ross' auto repair He is in menifee and can get you running again. he will probly not do the turbo upgrades and such but you will not find a better more honest auto Mech in town.
951 301 6236

Tell him you know Wayne from Jeeping

Wayne

Crank position sensor if it's a 7.3PSD (and if I remember correctly)

Ford PSD are self bleeding; nothing special needed to get air out of the system (or in..)


I have read that. I called a mobile service from Corona that said they could come out and take a look at it. Of course they want $300.

Call Ross' auto repair He is in menifee and can get you running again. he will probly not do the turbo upgrades and such but you will not find a better more honest auto Mech in town.
951 301 6236

Tell him you know Wayne from Jeeping

Wayne


I assume he is pretty knowledgeable about powerstrokes?

I assume he is pretty knowledgeable about powerstrokes?

More of a car guy but a real genius mechanicly speaking. he can get you going again for a fair price. He probly does not want to deal with the hot rod progamers and turbo stuff though. try West Coast Deisel performance for that I think they are in Temecula.

Wayne

More of a car guy but a real genius mechanicly speaking. he can get you going again for a fair price. He probly does not want to deal with the hot rod progamers and turbo stuff though. try West Coast Deisel performance for that I think they are in Temecula.

Wayne


I have heard of west coast, I think they are actually in Elsinore. All I really need is for it to be running. I can do most of the performance upgrades myself with some help from friends if I need to. I just don't really just anyone anymore. :( I have a lead on a mobile diesel fleet service, I may give them a try, but I will definately keep Ross in mind. I do need a mechanic in the area, and so far I haven't had any luck in Temecula or Murrieta.

I just got off the phone with a couple of highly respected PSD experts and they gave me some tips. Along with these guys and a couple of the diesel sites everyone says there is nothing required to purge the injectors. However it might be possible that the fuel bowl has some trapped air and is preventing fuel from getting to the injectors. They suggested purging the fuel bowl.

I may have to pony up and get some new performance injectors anyway. At the very least it is definately time for a new turbo, water injection and fuel system upgrades. I think my truck is telling me to stop talking about the upgrades and maintenance and just do it. :D

No problem Ross worked for years in the heavy equip industry on the oil feilds in long beach he is no stranger to diesels but what ever you want. My gut tells me tps.

Wayne

No problem Ross worked for years in the heavy equip industry on the oil feilds in long beach he is no stranger to diesels but what ever you want. My gut tells me tps.

Wayne


tps???

The fleet service guy hasn't called me back, even though he said he would, so even if I need to they may not be an option.

The CPS is easy and you can do yourself - and if it's not it, you now have a spare for when it does go tits up.

Purge the fuel filter bowl - ah, yea, I can see. I've never had any problems with mine when I changed the fuel filter, so I'm kinda leary of that. BUT, that will tell you if it's getting fuel to the bowl which would then rule out totally shot fuel pump (but not a weak pump..)

tps???

The fleet service guy hasn't called me back, even though he said he would, so even if I need to they may not be an option.


Sorry CPS I was thinking Throttle position sensor when the fat fingers went to typing, but ment Crank position sensor.

Wayne

its the cam position sensor that goes out regularly...also really low oil can prevent the injectors form working properly...

Got it running. The fuel bowl was low and thus had an air pocket that was preventing fuel from flowing to the injectors. Its not running as well as before but it is running. Time to fix some thing.s :D