[fieldbredspringer]

My wife's 2000 excursion has been acting up the past few weeks in the cold. It's fine when above 25 degrees or so, but when it gets cold it begins to chug and eventually powers down and dies.

I've run a tank of premium with anti-gel additive thru it and changed the fuel filter since the problems began.

My theory is that the fuel pump is getting weak after 170k and when the fuel gets cold and more viscous it can not keep up with demand.

I'm planning to change the fuel pump tomorrow unless anyone has a better suggestion.

I know the fuel pump is somewhere under the driver side rail (from what I've read, and since I can hear it buzzing and sputtering down there). How tough is this pump to change? What is the inline filter-looking thing next to the pump that is about the size of a can of corn?

Thanks in advance for any help! -JASON

 

[fieldbredspringer]

Changed the fuel pump just now and it does the same thing :-( !!!

I warmed it up in a shop yesterday and drove about 15 minutes before it started chugging, so it seems to be cold and fuel related...

I thought I was going to be my wife's hero, but no luck.

Any ideas?

Please help!

Thanks-JASON

 

[tbpower]

If it is just on start-up you may want to try the 5w40 synthetic oil or plug in the block heater. Ok, I re-read your second post and looks like it is not just at start-up. You might want to monitor fuel pressure. There is a plug on the back of the fuel bowl. I heard someone went to home depot and got all the fittings and gauge there. If you get a long hose you could run it through the firewall and monitor when driving. Just make sure it is clamped real good, I'm sure the wife wouldn't be happy if it smelled like diesel. HAHA. The other thing to check is you intercooler and boots for leaks.

 

[Beast]

I don't know why but my 2000 X is very susceptible to gelling much more than any other vehicle. After it happening a few times even in 20 to 30 degree weather I always put anit gel in during the winter. Never a problem since. I don't put anything in my diesel Jetta and never have a problem. Go figure. If you aren't already put the anti gel in every tank and see how it goes.

 

[Racer-X]

Could be obstructions on the inlet screen inside the tank.
Anti-gel will not cure the viscosity issue totally, it's still a little harder to pump.

 

[Wren]

My wife's 2000 excursion has been acting up the past few weeks in the cold. It's fine when above 25 degrees or so, but when it gets cold it begins to chug and eventually powers down and dies.

I've run a tank of premium with anti-gel additive thru it and changed the fuel filter since the problems began.

My theory is that the fuel pump is getting weak after 170k and when the fuel gets cold and more viscous it can not keep up with demand.

I'm planning to change the fuel pump tomorrow unless anyone has a better suggestion.

I know the fuel pump is somewhere under the driver side rail (from what I've read, and since I can hear it buzzing and sputtering down there). How tough is this pump to change? What is the inline filter-looking thing next to the pump that is about the size of a can of corn?

Thanks in advance for any help! -JASON

Hi Jason,

Any chance there are 2 filters? At least with the 6.0 we have one on top of the engine and the other down under the driver's door on the frame rail. I mention this because your original post said filter.

Have you drained the water from the fuel heater and separator?

Is this a gasser or a diesel?

 

[fieldbredspringer]

Sorry, I need to update my sig. I now have the '96 with 220k, and my wife has a 2000 X 7.3 with 170k.

I thought the other inline canister down by the fuel pump was some emissions thing for vapors returning to the tank. Do I need to check/change it too? If so, what is it called?

You guys are the best, Thanks for all the help!
-JASON

 

[fieldbredspringer]

Just spoke with the service guy who continues to draw a blank. He was able to get it to act up yesterday in the cold, and while it was running poorly, it maintained good fuel pressure.

He was unable to get a reading on one of the scanner tests (because it indicated that the truck was moving). After he shut the engine down he reran that test and it said the truck was going 54 MPH (even though it was parked with the engine not running)!

Now it sounds like a faulty electronic feedback circuit, but one that only acts up when it's very cold.

Any ideas??
Thanks-JASON

 

[fieldbredspringer]

I thought I'd bump this to the top for one last plea...

The X has been in the shop since I last updated on 1-6-09.
10 days with no answers. I trust my repair man, but fear the wrath of my wife

Any ideas?? (about the truck, not my wife).
Thanks-JASON

 

[MotionMan]

Something to think about, maybe a new fuel cap, weirder things have happened. I hate to say it but you may need a new guy, a dealer would give you the answer, even though I would not let them touch it I would let them tell me what, these testers are not cheap and always change so you may as well try that too. Start with a new reading, that may tell you something.

 

[rock_doctor]

You need to repost this in the 7.3 forum. You will get much more traffic.

7.3L Power Stroke Engine and Drivetrain - Diesel Forum - The Diesel Stop.com

 

[fieldbredspringer]

Thanks. I've been begging them for help too.
-JASON

 

[rock_doctor]

Um, i wonder if you just need a new cps? When the cps goes bad it can seem like it is running out of fuel. When you open the fuel filter do you find anything brown on the filter element? Do you find foam or is the filter chamber not completely full. Lastly, i do remember in the past (as i haven't owned a 7.3 for years) i remember a guy that had a weak low pressure oil pump. The truck would start then drain the hpop reservoir and then the engine would die. Once the oil was warm the oil was thin enough the increased flow would be enough to supply oil to the hpop and everything would be happy. So if it was me i would... Start the truck and once it dies pull the cover off the fuel filter. Is it full? Does the filter have any junk (other then black residue) on the filter? Lastly remove the inspection plug from the hpop oil reservoir and see if it is completely full. If not refill it with oil and see if it starts w/ a little cranking. If it is low then you need a new low pressure oil pump. Remember these trucks only have a idiot light that puts the gauge in the middle range once you have 7psi. So you could be running 8psi oil pressure and the gauge would show normal. If all of that is ok fit a fuel pressure guage post fuel pump and see if the pump shuts down. Maybe the relay is bad or weak. Lastly or firstly... change the cps. It is easy to change. I feel for you, the trucks now a days are so complicated you just chase a problem for ever. Good luck.