Wow, finally got to work on something other than a freakin' Bobcat for a change! :tong Customer brought in a 2001 Ford F-550 with 7.3 Powerstroke, said the engine was losing power. Took the truck for a drive, sure enough, get it under a load and it acted like it was running out of fuel. Checked fuel filter, filter clean. Put a pressure gauge on the fuel filter, started it up, went to 45 psi and held, normal enough. Ran the hose and gauge out the backside of the hood and shut the hood so that I would have a good view of gauge while driving. Holy Crap! Didn't even get wound through second gear going down hill and she hit zeeeeerrrro psi! Limped back to lower gate of lot, engine running like crap. After sitting for a few minutes at idle, fuel pressure recovered. Sure sign of fuel supply restriction, most likely inside fuel tank. Dropped the fuel tank and pulled the pickup assembly. That white cartridge is where the problem is going to be.
Popped the bottom out of the plastic cartridge, there's two strainer screens in there. They were both clogged tighter than a Kentucky coal country motel shower drain. Here's one strainer cleaned, and it's very unhappy twin. Cleaned the inside of fuel tank with degreaser and pressure washer. Used the suck bucket to evacuate dirty wash water from tank. Got everything put back together and it runs like a champ again.
I've had the same thing happened to both of my Super Dutys. It's a problem that plagues the cab and chassis models. The galvanizing flakes off inside the tank and clogs the strainer in the mixing chamber. Mine both occurred in extreme cold weather where fuel flow is critical.
Sorry for hijack. But do you think that could be the problem I am having? My 01 7.3 550 seems to not so much lose power but not actually rev. Like say you step on pedal and nothing really happens motor kinda shimmies:beatsme but tach dont move off of say 1,000 rpms. Don't happen when your going only sometimes when you put in gear to go forward or reverse (mostly noticed it happen in reverse). Anway again sorry for hijack. Thanks!!!!
How do you like your service truck we see through the windshield in the second photo? I have been thinking about getting one but wonder if all my workers would have to get a CDL? (cartoon drivers license)
Kinda doubt it PSDF350. Does your "service engine soon" light come on when it happens? Sounds like an electronic control problem to me. Have someone check the codes on it, might get some info from that. Actually, if you have a large spread of land you work on, those little trucks are handy as a pocket on a shirt.
Interesting problem with great pictures kind of self explanatory that way.
Replace the fuel filter and see if it changes. ifno check the out put from the pump, replace if necessary. try air filters and check the exhaust. if its got a carb check the choke plate. or try funning a fuel or card cleaner through the fuel system
Now you mention that I bet thats exactly what it is. Because it does seem to have a couple electrical quirks like door ajar light on, radio losing volume or even raising as you try to turn it down, also when you shut truck down the radio will squack.
Wow dude, you got some crazy stuff going on. I wouldn't know where to start with stuff like that. :beatsme
I would say you might have a leaky windshield. gets down into the GEM module under the dash. GEM = General Electric Module controls all the on board functions not engine related. Might also be a leaking cab light.
Wow, didn't even know about that one Dualie. I take it this is something you've seen before?
My 450 is doing something similar. When your driving it misses and seems like its going to run out of fuel. i replaced the fuel filters.... the one under the hood was almost twisted in half! The one on the frame rail had that metallic crap in it. Should i drop the tank and clean the screens? How long did it take to do what you did?
Looks like algae growth???
Thanks dually!!!! There's no leaking I can find even with the torrentail rains we have been having lately. But thats not saying there wasn't at some point I have only owend truck a few months. As for that GEM whats it look like I got under there ad took a peek but it's all greek to me.
Nice way explain work problem kind of you solved it by yourself but try having a computer diagnostic test done on it and gauge your fuel pressure. this should head you in the right direction.