Hello all, I recently purchased a 1994.5 powerstroke f250 5spd 4x4 7.3L with 233,000 miles. I bought it non-running, but have to get it running as my jeep just threw a rod. I know there's a lot of no start threads, but I've skimmed so many, and none seem to match my problem. The previous owner was driving it with no problem and came to a stoplight where it stalled. He started it up again and put it in first but it died again and wouldn't start. It has plenty of fuel in it. He got sick and hadn't touched it since he had it towed back home. It will crank but will not start. There is no smoke whatsoever coming from the exhaust. The tach is moving while cranking but I replaced the cps for good measure. The fuses all seem fine, and I get a wts light. The fuel bowl has fuel in it. I checked the hpop resevoir and it was low so I topped it off to 1/2" from top but still no start. Level does drop after long cranking. Oil at dipstick is good. When cranking, the oil pressure gauge on dash does not move (not sure if its suppose to). The batteries have been charged and are maybe 2 yrs old. With some starting fluid, it acts like it wants to start and I get some smoke out the exhaust. ( I know ether is bad but I'm desperate at this point) I also have had the block heater on it as it was cool these past few days just to help it out. I also pulled the idm but didnt hear any water sloshing around inside. I don't have a code scanner to read the truck as it has an obd2 plug but it doesn't communicate since its a 94.5. Any ideas or suggestions are immensely appreciated. Sorry this is so long, trying to b thorough.

 

Without reading codes, I'd "guess" there's a problem with the HPO system. If the reservoir isn't staying full, either the LPOP isn't supplying it or it is leaking out (propbably through the ipr valve) faster than it is replenished. Try disconnecting the icp sensor to decrease the odds of that being faulty (I can't say eliminate here).

 

First of all, thanks for the reply...im really banging my head off the wall with this thing! I'll make sure to try to disconnect the icp as soon as I get back to the truck. Is there anyway to run an injector "buzz" test on the 94 without a scanner? Im not getting any smoke at all when cranking and was wanting to make sure it wasn't the IDM for sure. Also, is there anyway to check the HPOP pressure at the reservoir? I did leave it open once while cranking and nothing came out the top of the hole. Is that normal? or Should the reservoir be pressurized?

 

It only fills so far then spills back into the sump.

 

you should try the cam positioning sensor if it goes bad the truck will not start and they are cheap

 

I tried the cam sensor, no luck. Ok so to update I checked the fuel pressure at the side of the fuel bowl Schrader valve and there seems to be no pressure while cranking. I pulled the fuel filter and its dirty and the fuel in the bowl was black. It has been sitting for six months. So I wiped out the bowl cranked it to see if the bowl filled....and some fuel came in but nowhere close to filling quickly. Am I looking at a bad fuel pump? Also tried unplugging the icp and still no smoke while cranking.

 

It shouldn't smoke if it isn't getting fuel.

 

Ok how do i keep this short?
I to had the exact same problem! Exactly no smoke when starting.
I think its been fixed and bye doing an entire HPOP upgrade and IPR I believe it over through the fuel pressures. Let me explain, When cranking the motor no smoke, That means there is nothing in the cylinder to ignite. My theory is the fuel pressure feeding the injectors is greater then the the oil pressure feeding the injectors to open this keeping the injectors closed? Bear with me here! I'm not totally sure my self YET! After my replacing the HPOP with a high pressure Adrenaline pump, & a new IPR i was able to push pass this issue and the truck started every time but would die shortly after it ran say 5 to 10 miles. After many Hundreds of $$$$$ my wife tells diesels are like woman and they need to be treated nicely. Which leads me to think about fuel and maintaince on our 7.3's there is a Fuel Pressure Regulator on the drivers side. Today I went to Ford and got the o,ring kit which includes the wait for it, Return FILTER!!! I removed my FPR and replaced the Filter, After which drove the truck around and it ran great actually it pureed like a kitten! Back to the theory think about a gas engine and if you plug the exhaust up it will die, If the return fuel cant escape bcke to the tank well in my case it died. I only drove it for about 10 miles and tomorrow will be the test.:jump

So after all that I wouldn't try anything until you replace the FPR return filter.
Ford parts kit (Part# 2C3Z-9157-AA) cost me $35.13 and an hour to replace.
Sorry for so much info but wanted to explain

 

not a bad idea there. is that for the return line or is that a pre screen on the feed side? not sure why you would need to sorta filter the returning fuel.

 

Actually its at the top of the fuel bowl were the screen is sandwiched between the fuel bowl and the FPR. If im thinking straight its the return line, from the bowl back to tank.
Not the supply going to the heads.

It seems the supply comes from the bottom of the fuel bowl and up into the bottom of the FPR were it flows through another filter built into the FPR and then through the pressure spring assembly and out to the heads.

If all is well with my truck after doing this today i am planning on doing a wright up about my symptoms and fixes.