Fuel tank question; truck died, but not out of fuel... - Diesel Forum

adephue · 03-09-2007, 03:03 AM

I read in another forum that the 7.3L IDI Ford pickups are known for having the end of the fuel pickup tube break off in the tank.

A couple of days ago I was just below 1/4 tank on my rear tank and when I started the engine, it ran for a few seconds then died. I switched to the front tank, fired it up, and the engine bucked and sputtered but smoothed out when I feathered the accelerator.

Tonight I filled the rear tank and could only get about 12 gallons in it (I think it is an 18 gallon tank).

Can these pickup tunes be replaced or should I just live with refilling that tank after is is half empty by the gauge?

-or-

Is there a possibility that I am experiencing another problem?

luckys420 · 03-09-2007, 07:53 AM

its never happend to me but from what i have read on here you are experiencing the broken fuel pick up problem. they can be replaced by droping the tanks or removing the bed. I 'think' others have replaced the stock fuel pickup with a beefier better one, not sure if it was custom or what? If you replace them it may be wise to do both and changed your old fuel sending units.

good luck

cdnsarguy · 03-09-2007, 12:47 PM

The OEM pickup can break off or just slip off, if you do not have it the right length any water/contaminants will not be picked up and deposited in the filter for disposal. Water in the tank has caused rotting out of the tank prematurely.

adephue · 03-09-2007, 01:24 PM

Which would be easier, drop the tanks or remove the bed?

adephue · 03-09-2007, 01:29 PM

BTW... it is possible to only replace the pickup line and not the tank, correct? I'm having a hard time finding the part online.

luckys420 · 03-09-2007, 07:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Which would be easier, drop the tanks or remove the bed?

[/ QUOTE ]

In my opinion, if you have some help it would be easier to pull off the bed... but, if I were doing by myself I would drain the tanks and drop them.

cdnsarguy · 03-09-2007, 07:55 PM

The pickup pieces will be in the tank and could be in good shape, just need reinstall. You can put a piece of hose to the tank bottom with a T at the bottom or a straight line with a fish mouth cut. Just ensure it does not suck on to the tank floor and shut fuel off.

OkieGringo · 03-10-2007, 02:50 AM

It's time to drop the tanks and check/replace the sending unit/pickups. There is a plastic extension on the bottom of the pickup which contains a by-pass valve and the filter/screen. Unfortunately, this plastic part breaks off and/or the by-pass valve rots (rubber). It is there to allow the engine to get fuel if the bottom of the tank has enough water to freeze and plug up the normal pick-up.
If the plastic has broken off at the top where it attaches to the metal tube of the pickup (as both of mine were) you'll run out of fuel at about the 1/4 tank level. The new sending unit/pickup is a "Ford Stealership Only" item. Go here: http://www.parts.com/partlocator/ind...?siteid=213787 after selecting your make and model, you need to look under "Electrical" to find the fuel sending unit. The 'units' are about $20.00 less at this site than at a "Stealership"($100.00+/-), but I don't know if "the shipping charges" will make it less in the long run. The front and rear units are different with different part #s. And even NEW sending units aren't very accurate. When/if you install new SUs fill the dry tank with 5 gallons of fuel and check what the gauge shows, add 5 more, check etc...
Rather than replacing the whole sending unit, some people have just added a diesel rated rubber hose with some kind of screen to end of hose. I'd tee it at the bottom of tank then reach to front and back. The original plastic screen does not have a fine screen, it's too hard to suck thickening cold diesel fuel thru a fine screen. There is a screen bypass valve on the upper part of the OEM plastic unit. If the bypass valve gets crap stuck in it or if it rotts away it will allow fuel in the line to run back into the tank..loosing the prime...allowing air into the system [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]OkieGringo

hesutton · 03-11-2007, 10:49 AM

It's a real common problem with these trucks. Even new senders with new pickups will be crap in months. Trust me, I know. Check out this post from a month or so ago.

Click Here

Heath