Newbie Startin a Project. Idle issue?

[7.3 Sloth]

Well first post and New to the forum. Got a 1988 F350 7.3 non turbo crewcab longbed i just picked up. Gunna be slow starting the project but looking forward to gettin some ideas on here and seeing what people know. Im a mechanic at Ford but new to diesels so it should be fun. Just a little worried about the idle on the truck. Seems a little low and lopes i guess. Truck shakes a little. Smooth throttle though and no sputtering. thats what a couple of my friends told me so just seeing if anyone had and ideas on that. Again thanks.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Welcome to the OB. Good place to learn about these old age engines. Might just be older than you. Bringing them back to life, your sometimes called the Saviour. These idle at 650 - 700, book calls for 700 -800, they should idle at 650 just fine.

 

[7.3 Sloth]

Thanks. I think thats about where it is now. Ill maybe move it up a tick and see what that does. Got a lot of things to do on this truck ha.

 

[icanfixall]

Welcome to the forum again. You have come to the right place for information. Can you tell us how many miles are on the truck. Do you know if the injection pump or injectors have ever been replaced. Usually these 2 items last around 125,000 miles. Some get more and some get less. Has the fuel ever been treated. If not you might try 2 quarts of atf fluid in the next tank of diesel. ATF has a great cleaning property to it. Some refill a fuel filter with it and start the engine. Run till the engine sounds different and shut it down. Let that sit in the pump ans injectors overnite. then run it nice and firm the next day. It cleans out both the injectors and injection pump. Diesel is clean from the fuel stations but it builds up a gum or varnish sometimes in the pump metering valve sticking it. Just make sure the ATF in added only to the outside small holes in the filter. That way the filter is able to pass it thru the media. Any dirt getting into the injection pump kills them. This forum is awake day and nite for help. Please ask questions before buying any parts. Ebay is full of cheats trying to scam you. This group of members know where the good stuff and not so good stuff is at. To set the idle the throttle lever on the passenger side of the injection pump has the screw as part of the throttle lever. Open the throttle a bit to reach the screw. About a 1/2 turn may be all you need. Sometimes low idle is retarded timing too.

 

[7.3 Sloth]

Wow thanks for the reply. Theres about 241,00 on the truck and from what I understand im the third owner. No idea on the injectors or pump ever being replaced but i gotta say the truck runs pretty good. Ive only put about 6 gallons of fuel in it so far and a half bottle of Diesel Kleen. Its still unregistered so i have barely driven it. But already I can tell you the diesel kleen worked because when i Bought the truck a couple weeks ago it would stall if you snapped the throttle or let go too quick warm or not. Hasnt happened after putting in the diesel kleen and driving it to work and back one day. Ive yet to change the fuel filter but i was definitely thinking of filling it with ATF seeing as so many people recommend it. A buddy told me i might have a hung injector causing a lope or it may need a return line kit which i plan on doing anyway. Previous kept starting it with starter fluid so im sure the glow plugs are shot. I appreciate your in depth reply