I have a Ford F250 with a 7.3 Diesel engine. Is it a good idea to add transmission fluid to the diesel fuel? A friend suggested this to me.

Make : Ford
Model : F-350 Superduty Supercab
year : 2001
Engine type : 7.3 Turbo Diesel
Transmission fluid type : 4R100 automatic transmission
Good Luck

Check around you fuel filter its on the very top at the front some have a valve on the filter housing that have had problems leaking. check around your filter housing good

Good question. On petrol engines there is a throttle plate that governs the amount of air entering the engine. At idle the throttle is almost completely closed and a result is the a vacuum is created in the inlet plenum. This vacuum is used to control ancillary engine related functions: opening the engine's exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve; operating the intake manifold runner (IMR) valve; moderating the fuel pressure regulator (FPR) function; and in governing in-gear duration (automatic transmission) and vehicle functions such as central locking, fuel cap door release and brake servo assist. OK so what has this to do with diesels? Diesels do not have throttles, engine speed is governed by fuel injection volumes. Without an air throttle the diesel engine does not have a vacuum to run the ancillary vehicular functions. Since many of the ancillary devices have already been made to operate with petrol engines it is simpler add vacuum pump to the diesel engine and use the same components to do the same jobs.

Never, ever use starting fluid in your diesel.

Taken from the Owners Manual - Diesel Supplement:

Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to OFF and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system (see Air
Cleaner Decal). Such fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to
the engine and possible personal injury.
Do not add gasoline, gasohol or alcohol to diesel fuel. This practice
creates a serious fire hazard and causes engine performance problems.
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to Seating
and safety restraints chapter in the owner guide.

Hm. it's a Diesel. So, it uses glow plugs.
Diesel engines work on the principle of exploding diesel fuel vs. burning gasoline fuel.

If it is spitting and sputtering, there is a possible problem with the fuel that is in the tank.

You see, Diesel fuel, according to Wikipedia, changes its formula drastically from winter to summer to work best in winter or summer climates.

I would drain the Diesel out of the tank and replace with fresh Diesel from your local Diesel Fueling station.

If this doesn't work, then, you may have a sensor gone awry or a compression issue.

Good luck on this one.

you o-rings for you drain valv are leacing the yellow valve on side of fuel filter replace and you will be good ford sells o-ring kit

if you have the manual. it should be in there if not there then check on line

Please don't forget to rate!!!!

Diesel Engines The 6.9L and 7.3L diesel engines use a one-piece spin-on fuel filter. Do not add fuel to the new fuel filter. Allow the engine to draw fuel through the filter.

1. Remove the spin-on filter by unscrewing it counterclockwise with your hands or a strap wrench.
2. Clean the filter mounting surface.
3. Coat the gasket or the replacement filter with clean diesel fuel. This helps ensure a good seal.
4. Tighten the filter by hand until the gasket touches the filter mounting surface.
5. Tighten the filter an additional 1⁄2 turn. NOTE: After changing the fuel filter, the engine will purge the trapped air as it runs. The engine may run roughly and smoke excessively until the air is cleared from the system.
   

You may want to add some diesel fuel conditioner.

This is most likely from dirty injector nozzles.

You could also try some automatic transmission fluid in your fuel (about 1/4 quart or so)

That sometimes works.

It may also help if you change your fuel filter regularly.

You may also want to do a compression test on your engine to make sure your engine is in good shape.

There are lots of variables, but I would try injector cleaner first.

Tim

Always use ford Mercon V available from your friendly ford dealer