'90 F250 Starts, dies, then takes 2 min of cranking to start - Diesel Forum

JoeVR5 · 08-23-2008, 10:11 AM

Hi everybody,

I have a 1990 Ford F250 diesel. 7.3 litre, non-turbo.

This truck ran great, but after I had to leave for a couple of months, I came home and now it has this strange problem.

When I start it, it immediately fires up and then dies. After that, it takes probably a full minute and a half to two minutes of cranking to get it to fire up again.

Once I FINALLY get it started, it runs perfectly fine, no problems at all.

...and once it's warmed up if I drive it, it will restart no problem at all as long as it's only been a few hours. BUT, if I leave it overnight, it won't start in the morning unless I crank it for several minutes.

I searched the forums and decided to replace the fuel filter. Didn't fix it.

I noticed that all the return lines between the injectors were cracked and old, so I replaced ALL the rubber lines between the injectors and the rubber lines going up to the fuel filter and IP.

That didn't fix it either.

I don't think it's the fuel pump because once it starts, it runs fine--no problems at all.

Can anyone give me any advice here? I think that my fuel pickup in the tank is broken off, because it sputters and stalls around a 1/4 tank. I make sure the tank is always full, and it still has this problem. Would that be a contributing factor to my situation?

If ANYONE can offer me any advice on this, I would be so grateful. Thank you so much!

-Joe

dakotajeep · 08-23-2008, 02:58 PM

Does it do it on both tanks? This might help isolate the issue....maybe....

Thad

Snotzalot · 08-23-2008, 08:23 PM

You have a typical symptom of air in the return lines. Did you replace the caps and O rings too?

JoeVR5 · 08-24-2008, 02:50 PM

No, I haven't checked the o-rings or seals. It doesn't look like anything is leaking though. I've looked very closely at each one while the engine is running.

I'm going to see if switching to the rear tank will solve this......I never thought that would be a contributing factor to all the fuel draining from the lines overnight.

4micaman · 08-25-2008, 09:15 AM

I'd go ahead and buy a set of caps and o-rings.

Cjhstang · 08-25-2008, 02:45 PM

yeah i had the same problem. prolly a leak in your return lines.

mgardner · 09-01-2008, 01:13 PM

I don`t know the jargon. Caps and o-rings i assume are injector caps and o-rings?

4micaman · 09-01-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgardner

I don`t know the jargon. Caps and o-rings i assume are injector caps and o-rings?

Correct

mgardner · 09-01-2008, 02:09 PM

My 89 F-350 has had almost exactly the same symptons . Is there a kit and how big a job is it to tackle? Remove all injector lines...and injectors? My neighbor said the Navistar guy told him I need to check that valve by the fuel separator that looks like a tire valve.Says it is loosing its "prime". What is that thing for ? Appreciate the feedback.

Lead_Pusher · 09-01-2008, 02:44 PM

My 88 had the same problem. I replaced the caps and o rings. problem solved. NAPA sells a kit with caps, lines, and o rings. Job might take an hour it's pretty staight forward. remove metal line pull cap off replace o rings put new cap on tighten line.

Cjhstang · 09-01-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgardner

My neighbor said the Navistar guy told him I need to check that valve by the fuel separator that looks like a tire valve.Says it is loosing its "prime". What is that thing for ?

Its on top of the fuel filter. One the side closest to the center of the engine there is a valve that sticks out. It is a tire valve with a small cap on it. He's saying crank the engine to build pressure then go open that valve n c if fuel squirts out. If it does that means you have fuel up to the filter. If not then you are loosing fuel pressure somewhere.

Also check your line integrity. My metal lines were rusted through and the rubber return line out of the IP was cracked. I replaced it with clear tubing to see the fuel. That way i can monitor whether i have air leaks building or not.