[Country Chic]

Im posting in this forum, as well.

The truck isnt new... im new to the truck. haha.

97 f350 stroke. 250,000 automatic, 4x4. recently purchased. (my new daily driver. i dont dog the snot out of it, either. im a smart driver...) as far as im aware, everything major in the motor, transmission, etc are stock...

ive been told that its running too lean. that its overheating slightly. i know i need a pyro and boost gauges to monitor, but i am unsure of how to approach this issue. there is a cold air intake which, im sure is filthy, so ill check that out on my own... can anyone suggest where i should start? my exhaust is 3-1/2" back to in front of the tire. no cat or muffler, i believe. (again, will have to confirm... but there is some back pressure now. )

any advice as to what actions i should take to get this truck runnin like a top would be greatly appreciated!! :SM030:

Thanks!!

 

[AaronSEIA]

Diesels can't run lean. They use just enough fuel to turn the engine doing what you ask it to do. They also run cold when they are burning very little fuel. They also run better hot-do a search here about the 203 degree t-stat. Without a baseline to measure by, it might be running like a top now. I do know that my 94 ran like a spotted butt ape, while my 97 runs more like an arthritic dog. You need to find a truck exactly like yours to drive and see if the "seat of the pants" test comes up with anything. What makes you think it's running hot? Any other symptoms that you can describe?
AaronSEIA

 

[Dr.Evil]

Yes, Aaron is correct, the whole diesel engine process meters fuel into the engine in relation to the work the engine is expected to do by the position of the gas pedal. It ALWAYS takes in as much combustion air as it can, so operates on variable air/fuel ratios. That's why diesel engines get so stingy with fuel on light loads compared to gas engines which have to run a relatively constant air/fuel ratio.

Injection Timing is critcal to diesel engines, but that's all controlled by the computer on a PSD. Lots of things can cause the engine to run warm, a radiator blocked by dead bugs, low coolant, dirty coolant, slipping fan belt, worn out fan clutch, even a stuck thermostat like I had several months ago.

Since the truck is new to you, I'd start with an oil/filter change, new fuel filter, maybe even a cooling system flush & fill. Use a diesel recommended anti-freeze and be sure to add the diesel coolant additive, either the Ford stuff or FleetRite DCA-4, and get some test strips to make sure it's kept at the right concentration.

Your truck's exhaust sounds exactly like mine, no muffler, cat, 3-1/2 inch exiting right ahead of the right rear wheel. I even have the terrible stock downpipe, which is a restriction, but unless your going to chip the truck and tow heavy a lot that DP shouldn't cause a problem. For me at least, NO WAY am I beating up or taking a Sawz-all to my firewall to make room for a different DP.

 

[Country Chic]

Thanks!

Thanks guys! you both have been very helpful!! I will update once ive tried some of your suggestions!
:thup:

 

[540milotalon]

I have the 3" DP on both my PSD's-'95+'96and installed one on a friends '97. The only one we dimpled the FW on was the '95. The '96 + '97 fit like a glove! I just had the rad. cleaned on the '95 and it does not get as hot. Set up a 6637 unless you have something comparable.

 

[DaveH.]

when your truck is fully warm , where on the guage on your dash does it like to be at,
I have a 95 truck that I had a 97 motor put in and it runs around the r and m on normal where the 95 motor ran really cool , not even half way on the guage, just wondering.
I replaced the downdraft pipe an it and I didnt have to cut the firewall, I just used a prybar and a 2x4 to push the firewall in a little to make it fit. I didnt want any cuts in it either.

 

[Country Chic]

Dave, it hasnt read past the R. O has been as far as its gone, that ive noticed. ive only had it since 7/1/2011 though. so still noticing things and takin notes. haha

It radiates some serious heat once im back home. even after it sits for a couple hours. we open the hood and itll make you step back for a moment... im going to clean the air filter this weekend and see if that helps...