When diagnosing a Hard or No start condition on a 7.3 Power Stroke diesel, one of the first step to take is a Visual Inspection of the engine and chassis.

Visual Engine/Chassis Inspection

Purpose:
This is a visual inspection to check the general condition of the engine and look for obvious causes of a hard start or no start conditions.

Recommended Procedure:

• Inspect fuel system, including the fuel tank and fuel lines for kinks, bends and/or leakage.
• Check oil lines and high pressure pump (HPOP) in engine “V” for major oil leaks.
• Inspect for coolant leaks at radiator and heater hoses and check coolant level.
• Inspect wiring for correct routing and make sure no rubbing or chafing has occurred.
• Inspect the in-line 42-way, injector driver module (IDM), powertrain control module (PCM) and sensor connectors to make sure they are completely seated and in good condition.

Possible Causes:

• Loose or leaking fuel supply lines could cause the fuel system to lose prime.
• Kinked or blocked fuel supply lines will create a fuel restriction.
• Massive fuel or oil leaks could contribute to no start conditions.
• Coolant leaks could indicate serious engine problems.
• Electronic connectors may be damaged or not installed properly causing a no start condition. The camshaft position (CMP) sensor and the injection pressure regulator (IPR) are the two most critical electronic sensors/actuators to inspect in no start situations.

Tools Required:
Inspection light