Crank and fail to start
 

I have a 2003 F350 Super Duty crew cab 4x4 with 6.0 Turbo Diesel, by far my favorite out of all the trucks I have owned.

This morning I went and started my truck up (it was around 40 degrees out) I let the truck idle for around 10-15 minutes while I was loading up the bed, I had to shut the truck off to unlock my hitch, When I went to restart the truck it cranked over a couple times, and didnt start, I tried to crank it over again and it still didnt start.

:scare2: I am completely new to the diesel side of things but I know not to crank a diesel repeatedly as to not cause more issues. 2 weeks ago I changed the fuel filters out, no problems before or after I just figured it was time to change them, I have only put around 1000 miles since I bought the truck and it was meticulously maintained from the previous owner. Only mods are AFE intake and Banks turbo back exhaust, they have both been on there for over 20k miles

I guess I should just sum it up here.... Crank and no start, pulled the fuel filter out of the top and when the key is turned on there is no fuel pumping up, when you turn the key on you can hear the pump start but nothing is pumping. I checked the fuel and added 5 gallons just to be sure (now has around 19 gallons in it) I also checked the batteries and both are fine actually only 4 months old also. I am pretty much at a loss here and I am not sure where to proceed. Any tips or anything are greatly appreciated, I can diagnose pretty much anything with a little direction.

Do you have any engine codes on the truck now. that could tell you which way you should start at least.

The only way to check engine codes for me is with the watchdog from bullydog, until Monday when the dealership opens back up and I have access to some of my brothers scanners

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After reading through pages and pages of forums I am starting to think that it could just be the fuel filters, can anyone tell me if the 2003 6.0 has the bad stc fitting?

So you can hear/feel the fuel pump kick on when you turn the key? But you're not getting fuel up to the bowl on top of the motor...? If you remove that top filter and turn the key, that bowl should fill up with fuel. Sounds like the pump may be shot, even though you can hear something working down there.

Alot of times guys will hear the brake booster pump and think it is the fuel pump, kind of have to climb under the truck to make sure it is actually the fuel pump.

Thanks for the response guys, Was just fuel filters (Purolator fuel filter :argh:) to be exact. Now running Motocraft and seems to be doing good

Seems like the is air in the line when accelerating though. Thought I got it all out before putting the cap on

It should be bleeding itself out. If it keeps getting air then you've got something not sealing correctly. Can you describe what's happening.

Around 1800-2200 RPM the truck seems to sputter a little before shifting and I know it was not doing this before putting poorly designed fuel filters in it.

I can't help but wonder if the fuel pump is still crapping out on you.

Your best bet is to get a fuel pressure gauge on it and see where you're at. You can get a cheap-o from harbor freight or something. There is a blank test port on the fuel filter housing on top of the motor, just looks like an allen plug. Hook the gauge up, run it under the hood to the windshield and hold it down with a wiper. You really need to see what the pressure is while driving. Ford says it should be around 55psi, and should never drop below 45psi.

How often are you changing fuel filters?

FWIW, I've actually unplugged my fuel pump before (it had NO power going to it at all) and fired the truck up. Started right up and idled just fine on basically 0 fuel pressure. I obviously didn't do this intentionally, but it happened. Put it in gear and tried taking off and it would barely move. I could get out and walk faster, then I remembered what I did.