Ok, here it goes. This morning I woke up to colder weather than ususal. I try to remote start my truck and I could here the startup and then it would die 1 second later. Tried it again with the remote and had no luck. I went outside and tried it with the key three times and had no luck, same thing. The fourth time i gave it a little gas and I was able to keep it running. Rough Idle with white smoke coming out the tailpipe, different smell than usual. I stepped on the gas for higher rpm and brought it back down and it died. Did a visual inspection of the engine/battery/fluids and they look good. The one thing I do get is this buzzing noise from the passenger side of the engine. THe One thing which I shamefully haven't taken care for a month now. Any ideas?

A Little about the truck:

2001 Harley Davidson F-150
198,000 Something Miles

Installed Aftermarket Hardware. (Installed while under the 100,000 mile club)
Superchip Module
Airforce One Intake
Shift Kit
Viper Remote Start / Alarm

 

Sounds like you may have a head gasket issue, not sure about the buzzing noise. Could be alot of things. Is it electric sounding ? Or mechanical?

I would have someone else start the truck tomorrow morning and stand behind it and get a good wiff of the exhaust. If it smells strongly of coolant you probably have a head gasket issue.

 

It sounds more mechanical than electrical. I am hoping that its not my fuel pump. Could it be the fuel pressure regular, egr valve, or IAC? I am open to guesses.

 

is the cel on? vacuum leak? possible iac. the smoke was probably just from being cold.

 

Ok the buzzing noise is now gone. It was a bad PCV Valve. $1.20 you can't beat that. I am still having the same problem. There is no check engine light. I went ahead and cleaned the MAF. The truck does stay on if I keep my foot on the gas. Its when I let go it dies. There was a few times when I let go and it would idle at a low rpm, but when I pressed on the gas again it would die. Could this be related to the fuel pressure delivery?

 

Yeah for sure. What your talking about sounds like a fuel problem.
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Fuel Injectors

Check those three things. Replace the filter (might as well). Listen and see if you can hear the fuel pump kick on when you move your key to the "on" position (before you crank). Fuel injectors need to be cleaned every once in awhile and if they're original it probably wouldn't hurt to buy a set on ebay and throw em in.

Now, this is one solution but you could also be looking at a vacuum leak, a bad sensor, bad cop, bad spark plug... basically, a whole buncha stuff. Just start with fuel, check all the vacuum connections you can see (especially the bigger ones like the PCV) and the vacuum hose that goes to the IMRC motor.

The good news is that a bad sensor, or a sizeable vacuum leak that effect IMRC's or something will throw a code *should*... so I would put my money on fuel probs.

Don't forget about the smoking problem. If it's a new symptom it's most likely related. Are you losing any fluids with regularity? What's your mileage like?

 

Sounds like the IAC to me.

In the summer of 07 I went on vacation for two weeks, came back and had the exact same problems. Replaced the IAC and everything has been peachy since.

 

I guess I will start with the easy things first. Fuel Pump and the IAC. I hope its not the fuel pump. If i really step on the gas it roars with no problem. It just dies when it backs down and idles. I don't loose any fluids and my mileage is actually pretty good. I do my routine maintenance every 5000 miles. The truck is in good shape for a 01 with 198k miles. :0) I will let you guys know the outcome.

 

Just bang on the IAC.
If that's your problem a few hard whacks will unstick it.
The best tool for the job is your lug wrench for a spear-like jab.

 

Problem solved. After getting home real late from work i decided to start with the basics. I dumped Sea Foam, no luck. Changed Fuel Filter, Jackpot. In my life time I never expierenced a fuel filter problem. Wierd that the fuel filter was changed 5000 miles ago. Either I had bad fuel or the fuel filter just failed. Oh well life time lesson learned.

Total Damage:
Annoying Buzz from the Engine Bay, Bad PCV Valve = $1.20
Truck Cut Offs, Bad fuel filter = $ 10

Thanks for all your input!

 

That's awesome.

It's nice when you can fix them that easy and for little money.
Congrats on the fix !!!

 

Well, you may wanna check your gas tank then. If may be rusting on the inside, causing your fuel filter problem.
Glad we could help