[sooke96]

my truck all of a sudden started to sputter like it was running out of fuel. i made it home with stalling once but i had to keep reving it up.
i drained some of the fuel there was no water so went to start it but batteries were too low.
charged them up ,started the truck up. ran fine, drove about 12 miles then it started top cough and sputter again.
this time drained the fuel filter holder completely cleaned out alot of muck in the bottom and replaced fuel heater.
it fired right up and idled great, reved it up allright ,drove down the road 200 feet sputtered and died . i could turn it overand it would run for a few seconds and then die.it would run a little longer if i kept reving it up .after about 4 starts the batteries were dead .
after charging the batteries it fires up idles good ,reves up,so i drove up and down the road then it started to act up again.
i started and shut it off twice to drain the batteries some . on the third start i tried to drive it but it was worse.
Could bad batteries cause it to act like its running out of fuel?
the gauge show its charging but after two starts it goes into the low reading. i thought that the batteries were only needed to start if the alternator was working allright.
Also , i heard there is a screen that needs cleaning as well as afuel filter. i have no idea where it is.
i have a 1996 7.3 manuel 5spd.
any help or ideas would be very apperciated .

thanks.

 

[DRJ48]

Your batteries sound like they have had it. It will not operate without good batteries regardless of the alternator condition. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[STurbo90]

The batteries are used to start the engine, but once the engine is running, the batteries become a load on the alternator.

If the batteries are that dead, they become a significant load on the alternator and will cause a low voltage on other items.

 

[sooke96]

i put two new batteries in and still have the same problem. it starts fine runs good for 3or 4 minutes or about half mile, then acts like its running out of fuel.
anybody have any ideal??????
thanks

 

[STurbo90]

did you test the batteries or charging system??

does it start fine now without having to charge the batteries??

I would check the fuel pressure.

 

[sooke96]

i put it 2 brand new interstates so i didnt need to charge them .when i startit thecharging gauge goes down to the n on normal but does come back up after alittle while, so i figure it is charging allright.
i havent checked the fuel pressure yet. is it much of a job?
if it is low could be the pump or maybe just a restriction somewhere?
i heard about a screen but i dont know where it is or it i have one?

 

[clem]

The needle going to N when you first start up is normal,thats your glow plugs working.Check your fuel pressure with a tire gauge on the side of the FPR(little messy).You should have about 35# at idle.You can clean the screen by removing the fuel filter and use fuel soaked Q-tips through the hole on the right side of the bowl.And Welcome to the site.

 

[sooke96]

i cleaned the screen then drained the filter housing again and cleaned it . there was some debris in the fuel.it started right up ,idled for a while then reved it up ,all was ok so i took it up and down the street about 4 timeswhich is when it started to miss,losepower stutter .it would idle allright for a bit so ireved it up then got worse then died. i fired it up again and checked the fuel pressure at the schrader valve it was about 50psi.
also i noticed if fire it up and it idles ok then shut it off and then start it again and do this about 3 times it starts to act the same and not even idle.
any suggestions??
thanks

 

[STurbo90]

how old is your oil?

 

[sooke96]

the oil is about 7 months old but i only have 1800 miles on since it was changed

 

[sooke96]

does anyone think this seems like an ipr problem??