7.3 rough start, and no power until fully warm
#1
01-21-2013, 02:45 PM
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: North East Alabama
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7.3 rough start, and no power until fully warm
My 2002 F250 has 225k road miles, no heavy hauling. The truck has an aftermarket performance chip installed that came with the truck when I bought it, I don't know what kind it is.
When the temperature is below 50 degrees F. the engine starts ok, but runs rough, and the colder it is, the more it will stall at idle. The closer the engine is to running temperature the better the engine runs and has full power. If the engine stalls, the check engine light comes on until the engine is turned off. None of the auto parts store code checker systems display any codes. When I start the truck, I see a slight amount of dark blue smoke which I assume is unburned fuel. Also, as I am driving the truck before it is fully warm, I have no power, and the engine sounds like it's missing.
initially, I thought I got some bad fuel and changed the fuel filter, drained the water seperator, and ran several cans of Sea Foam through it. I checked the fuel, and I know its good.
I checked the ICP and it had oil in it, so I replaced it, and the truck runs better, but it is still not fixed.
Local mechanics have all determined the fuel injectors are bad, and have offered to replace the fuel injectors without looking at the truck. However, I have never experienced a bad fuel injector that is only symptomatic when the engine is cold.
Ford dealership wants $100 to diagnose the problem.
Any ideas or suggestions before I spend the $100 at Ford? all advice and help is appreciated.
When the temperature is below 50 degrees F. the engine starts ok, but runs rough, and the colder it is, the more it will stall at idle. The closer the engine is to running temperature the better the engine runs and has full power. If the engine stalls, the check engine light comes on until the engine is turned off. None of the auto parts store code checker systems display any codes. When I start the truck, I see a slight amount of dark blue smoke which I assume is unburned fuel. Also, as I am driving the truck before it is fully warm, I have no power, and the engine sounds like it's missing.
initially, I thought I got some bad fuel and changed the fuel filter, drained the water seperator, and ran several cans of Sea Foam through it. I checked the fuel, and I know its good.
I checked the ICP and it had oil in it, so I replaced it, and the truck runs better, but it is still not fixed.
Local mechanics have all determined the fuel injectors are bad, and have offered to replace the fuel injectors without looking at the truck. However, I have never experienced a bad fuel injector that is only symptomatic when the engine is cold.
Ford dealership wants $100 to diagnose the problem.
Any ideas or suggestions before I spend the $100 at Ford? all advice and help is appreciated.
Last edited by Abner; 01-21-2013 at 03:00 PM. Reason: forgot to add some other observations
#5
01-26-2013, 08:25 PM
My 2002 F250 has 225k road miles, no heavy hauling. The truck has an aftermarket performance chip installed that came with the truck when I bought it, I don't know what kind it is.
When the temperature is below 50 degrees F. the engine starts ok, but runs rough, and the colder it is, the more it will stall at idle. The closer the engine is to running temperature the better the engine runs and has full power. If the engine stalls, the check engine light comes on until the engine is turned off. None of the auto parts store code checker systems display any codes. When I start the truck, I see a slight amount of dark blue smoke which I assume is unburned fuel. Also, as I am driving the truck before it is fully warm, I have no power, and the engine sounds like it's missing.
initially, I thought I got some bad fuel and changed the fuel filter, drained the water seperator, and ran several cans of Sea Foam through it. I checked the fuel, and I know its good.
I checked the ICP and it had oil in it, so I replaced it, and the truck runs better, but it is still not fixed.
Local mechanics have all determined the fuel injectors are bad, and have offered to replace the fuel injectors without looking at the truck. However, I have never experienced a bad fuel injector that is only symptomatic when the engine is cold.
Ford dealership wants $100 to diagnose the problem.
Any ideas or suggestions before I spend the $100 at Ford? all advice and help is appreciated.
When the temperature is below 50 degrees F. the engine starts ok, but runs rough, and the colder it is, the more it will stall at idle. The closer the engine is to running temperature the better the engine runs and has full power. If the engine stalls, the check engine light comes on until the engine is turned off. None of the auto parts store code checker systems display any codes. When I start the truck, I see a slight amount of dark blue smoke which I assume is unburned fuel. Also, as I am driving the truck before it is fully warm, I have no power, and the engine sounds like it's missing.
initially, I thought I got some bad fuel and changed the fuel filter, drained the water seperator, and ran several cans of Sea Foam through it. I checked the fuel, and I know its good.
I checked the ICP and it had oil in it, so I replaced it, and the truck runs better, but it is still not fixed.
Local mechanics have all determined the fuel injectors are bad, and have offered to replace the fuel injectors without looking at the truck. However, I have never experienced a bad fuel injector that is only symptomatic when the engine is cold.
Ford dealership wants $100 to diagnose the problem.
Any ideas or suggestions before I spend the $100 at Ford? all advice and help is appreciated.
Worn poppets in the injectors. To keep things simple as far as an explanation goes, the injection "timing" is very late and the fuel quantity is very low.
Oh, and this is something that a scan tool will not show you, so at this point, wasting money on a scanner won't be helpful.
#6
01-29-2013, 08:25 AM
#7
01-29-2013, 09:40 PM
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: North East Alabama
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What else should I do beyond the fuel injectors?
I appreciate the explanation! If my injectors are bad and I am spending the $ to have those replaced, what else should I replace while I have the valve covers, etc. are off the engine? I have heard some folks say to simply replace the glow plugs and the high pressure oil pump while I am at it. What do you think? Is there a reason to use OEM fuel injectors, or are the aftermarket injectors just as good?
