2 7.3 problems i need help with

[farriswheel]

hello!

I am trying to get my truck functioning well, and im down to 2 main problems.

first, i can only run the rear tank. the front tank will die on me, randomly. A while back a shop looked at it, and mentioned air was entering a line. They weren't a really good shop, also this is what my grandma told me, she is the one who took it to them. has this happend to anyone before? where should i start with finding out how to fix this?

As for my rear tank, the fuel gauge doesnt work. I wold like to fix this more than the other tank. I have no idea why it doesnt work. suggestions on what to look at?

help appreciated!!!

thank ya

 

[NCheek]

First of all, welcome to OB!

As far as your problems, they are pretty common, so try a search or two, you'll most likely have your questions answered.

 

[91f2504x4]

The rear sending unit is more than likely bad causing the gauge to not work, they wear out over time, you probably need to replace it, the float can also go bad, but it is more than likely the sending unit, it is just a rheostat of sorts.

The front tank is probably giving you problems because the pick-up tube is broken. Does it give you problems when full of fuel or only when around 1/4th tank or lower?

 

[DeepRoots]

my advice, or at least what i did to fix these problems:
#1 pull the bed
#2 take both fuel pickups out, and replace the crappy hard plastic with good fuel hose, double clamp it, and put a tee on the bottom, so it doesn't float
#3 replace all fuel hose and do away with the hard plastic and also the ford clips that connect the hose to the fuel switching valve.
#4 either replace fuel pickups or just run 150 miles on each tank
#5 use a handheld vaccum pump to draw fuel from each tank up to the fuel filter... If you want to test your fuel connections, clamp off the fuel lines and use the vacuum at 15in and hold it for ten minutes.... it *should* hold if all connections are good.

Go about life knowing you fixed it.

Drew

 

[farriswheel]

The rear sending unit is more than likely bad causing the gauge to not work, they wear out over time, you probably need to replace it, the float can also go bad, but it is more than likely the sending unit, it is just a rheostat of sorts.

The front tank is probably giving you problems because the pick-up tube is broken. Does it give you problems when full of fuel or only when around 1/4th tank or lower?

how much does a rear sending unit run, and where can i get one?

as for the front tank, thats a good question. Before my grandma gave it to me(it was grandpa's until he died, and it just sat at the farm until i got it recently ): ) i would drive it around and it would die, though i cant remember how full the tank was then. I might fill it up sometime and see how it does.

I havnt even put it on the front tank since. The shop put all kinds of stuff on it ($800 worth) and pretty much they ended up telling me to run it on the rear tank. Even then it would die, when i pushed in the clutch sometimes.

but a diesel mechanic here turned up the idle screw and it solved that problem, because something wasnt catching everytime, i cant quite recall

 

[howards@howard]

sending unit

I found a rotted sending unit on mine. Put some clear tubing on the supply side under the hood and you can watch the bubbles come up. Stop replacing stuff when the bubbles stop. Start out with two sending units you can find them any were.

 

[Andylad13]

but a diesel mechanic here turned up the idle screw and it solved that problem, because something wasnt catching everytime, i cant quite recall

when the engine dies after dramatic loss of rpm, like hitting the clutch, its usually because of the IP's metering valve failing or not getting enough lube. my problem was not enough lube, meaning its on its way out, but i can slow down the time to replace the pump dramatically by adding lube. i use supertech tcw3. one oz per gallon.

 

[hesutton]

when the engine dies after dramatic loss of rpm, like hitting the clutch, its usually because of the IP's metering valve failing

Exactly. My IP was soon dead and replaced. Lube will patch it, but it is only temporary.

The Sending unit from Ford is pricey. Replace the rubber "showerhead" fuel pickup with a equal lenght of rubber hose prior to installation. My new ones failed in 3 months time and I had to pull the senders again to do this fix. Be sure to cut an inverted "V" in the bottom of the line or put a brass "T" fitting on the bottom on that line or it will suck on the bottom of the tank.

Welcome to OB and we're glad to have you.

Heath

 

[hesutton]

I just noticed you where in KY. I'm in Greenville. You should come to the rally in Bowling Green this summer. Click the link in my signature. It will take you to the Brotherhood of Oil Burners site. You need a password to register there and that password is "BOOB". That site is used mainly for rallies and get-togethers. If you have trouble logging on.... let Mel (Agnem) know via PM.

Hope to see you there.

Heath