1988 Ford F350 Ran out of Diesel? Can't start up again--

feeflanagan · Posted at Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:22 am

Engine Mechanical problem
1988 Ford F350 V8 All Wheel Drive Automatic 56,000 miles

(Before people start replying withh "throw that P.O.S. away" I should say that the 14ft. box in the back is painted with some incredible artwork, so I need to keep this truck running.)

So here's the facts:

1) Fuel guage is broken, and I'm afraid I've run the truck out of fuel a few times now.

2) This time I had fueled up rather recently, so either something else went out or somebody siphoned fuel out.

What I tried:

1) Put 5 gallons of fuel in
2) Took off engine cover and sprayed starter fluid as I turned the key.
3) Replaced batteries
4) Replaced starter (just happened to go out while we were trying to restart it)

Another note-- I DO have to spray starter fluid every morning to get the truck to run. I replaced all the glow plugs 4 months ago, but they still would not get the truck to start without the ether.

Thanks for the help-- if you'd like to email me directly-- its ArtistMoving@gmail.com

thank you!
******
Also, if the answer is to - check the glow plugs and replace if blown-- could you also tell me what else to fix so that I can start the truck normally and don't just blow them out again by starting with ether. I do make sure I turn the key on for 5-10 seconds before starting.

racefan966 · Posted at Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:43 pm

First I need to tell you that the glow plugs are probably bad because of the use of starting fluid it is very bad on a diesel and extremly hard on glow plugs because starting fluid burns so hot. Now with that what I need you to do is two things. First open the hood and then turn the key on engine off and listen for a click from the glow plug relay controller. If you hear this click the turn key off. Now loosen an injector line (which ever is easiest to get to) 1/2 turn and crank the engine over does fuel come out of the injector line? If this checks out fine then I need you to check the run solenoid on the front of the injector pump. Simply check for 9 volts at the terminal while cranking. Let me know what you find here.

feeflanagan · Posted at Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:13 am

Actually, I'm not hearing the usual clicking from the glow plug controller. My friend actually changed that 4 months ago.. and it unfortunately sounds like it might have gone out again?

feeflanagan · Posted at Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:16 pm

Hi Racefan,

I'm no mechanic at all, and my friend wasn't available to check the fuel line or the run solenoid. Do you think I should just go ahead and pay the $170 for the glo plug controller, or make sure I test the other parts first. (It was not clicking)

I need the truck ready for a moving job thursday morning- so if I can avoid calling a mobile diesel mechanic I'd be happy to pay you more.

Also, my phone number is 415.987.4319

Thanks!
Tom

racefan966 · Posted at Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:05 am

Well to replace it is up to you. You should hear it click. Now I would check to see if it still under warranty too, it might be. As for checking for fuel it is quite simple just loosen one fuel injector line 1/2 turn and crank the engine over an if you get fuel out of the line then all is good there, tighten the line back up and test complete. I am just needing to know if it is getting fuel if it isn't then it will tell us that the fuel pump might be the problem instead. Let me know what you want to do and how it goes.

feeflanagan · Posted at Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:23 pm

or the fuel pump (mechanical) if you will. I had to have the Mobile Diesel Medic come out this morning as I've got some moving jobs tomorrow-- but they let me buy the part, remove and replace it, so I saved that way.

So yes, it seems like the glow plug controller is in fact out, but at the moment I don't think I should replace it because again-- doing that the last time along with the glow plugs still left me having to use the ether every day.

If I can ever figure out what's going on there it would be nice to finally get off the smack one day ( I mean starter fluid)

Thanks for all the help-- you've been great!

racefan966 · Posted at Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:02 am

Your welcome but did you get it fixed? Do you still need help to get it running? Yes I do mean the mechanical pump as that is the lift pump.

feeflanagan · Posted at Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:16 pm

I gave you all my available points. If I post another question, ( how to get the truck off ether) will the website award the question to you?

racefan966 · Posted at Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:47 am

No they won't just give it to me but you can put in you question my user name as a request and I will look for that. Thanks again and you have a great day.