7.3L Powerstroke High Pressure Oil System IPR Air Test Tool similar to TU-32-7
Made in the USA
Applications: International T444E, DT466E, CAT 3126, Ford 7.3L Powerstroke 1994 - 2003
The complete system can be tested in under 20 minutes - in a professional repair facility this tool will pay for itself after one or two repairs. As with any air tool, you will need to add your own air line quick-connect fitting. Since there are so many various air fitting in use.
7.3L Powerstroke engines may experience hard start and or no start issues. In some cases the no-start issue may occur only with the engine hot. If the observed ICP pressure during cranking is less than the required 500 PSI, then the problem is in the high pressure oil system. One of the first checks that should be made is to remove the plug from the top of the high pressure oil reservoir (in front of the fuel filter) to observe if the reservoir is full. If the oil is standing within an inch of the top of the reservoir, then the problem is in the high pressure oil system and could be caused by one of three things:
- The high pressure oil pump itself
- The IPR Valve
- A high pressure oil leak
The 7.3L IPR Air Test Fitting will allow you to quickly determine which of these is the case (without unnecessary and costly parts substitution) by performing the following:
1. Remove the IPR valve and pressurize the system with shop air. Listen for air leaks. External high pressure oil leaks would have, of course, been obvious. The primary concern is internal leaks under the valve cover(s). These could include leaking injector orings, or leaking injectors. Listen for any leaks under the valve covers and correct if present. If the center injector oring fails high pressure oil could be leaking back into the fuel system. Remove the fuel filter cap and observe for air bubbles in the fuel. If necessary, individual fuel lines running from the fuel filter assembly to the cylinder heads can be disconnected in order to isolate the problem.
2. (Note that this step is only approved for 7.3L Powerstroke and T444E applications.) If no air leaks are observed, the next step is to isolate whether the problem is with the IPR or the high pressure oil pump. Remove the IDM fuse or unplug the IDM or injector connectors at the valve covers to prevent starting. Install a pipe plug in the IPR air test fitting and crank the engine. (This step effectively deadheads the high pressure oil pump - this is an approved procedure per Ford factory service info.) If the ICP pressure is now above 500 PSI, the problem is a bad IPR valve. If the pressure is under 500 PSI, then the problem lies with the high pressure oil pump.
