I am trying to help someone with a 97 CTD and need ideas. The truck seems to take off with decent power and run up to about 2000 RPM's in 3rd gear and then just won't pull hard. If you hold the throttle down when it does this, it feels like it may be starving for fuel. The fuel filter has been changed. I plan on installing a fuel pressure gauge and go from there. What is the correct fuel pressure reading? Where is the prefilter screen located? I also plan on checking throttle cable adjustment and fuel shutoff linkage. If fuel pressure checks low I plan on stretching overflow valve spring to see if there is any improvement. Anything I've missed? The truck is stock with 144K miles and is not putting out white smoke, only a little black smoke when first loaded. The owner has reported that he hears popping thru the exhaust when the truck starts losing power although I didn't witness this.

 

The timing could have slipped or worn out overflow.

 

It sounds like your running out of fuel. I know before i put my fass on mine I was getting about 15psi with the stock pump and overflow valve and that was at about 180,000 miles. I would for sure put a pressure guage on it. If the fuel pressure is good I would check the wastegate. When my wastegate went out I could put the throttle down and the truck wouldnt pull at all. Thats just a thought but i would for sure check the pressure first.

 

How can the wastegate be checked?

 

Check your screen in the fuel heater element. My bet is it is clogged. Happened to me.

 

Things for you to click
Fuel Pre-Filter Cleaning

Checking 12 Valve Fuel Pressure

 

Turns out that it was the screen as suggested. Thanks!