I'm new to the diesel scene, just got my first this weekend. I'm having a problem with it starting. It's not every time but most of the time. I can let the glow plugs heat up and injectors purg. Some times it will crank fine but sometimes even after 3 key turns I just hold down the key to start it, and it turns over until it cranks but then it puffs out a big cloud of white smoke. I did try plugging in the block heater over night even though its only about 40-50 at night, but it did start right up. Anyone have any clue where to start or what it might be?

 

What engine are we talking about here?

6.0, 7.3, V10?

 

Sorry I wrote this up after a 15 hour work day in bed before I passed out. It's a 6.0 , and now I've done a little research but not much and I see there is a ficm solder fix. Not sure if that's the culprit but ill see if I have time tomorrow to see what voltage I have.

 

FICM is the easiest to start with, could be that or a problem with the glow plug system. Do you have a really rough idle at first start in the AM when you have problems? I had the same symptoms with my F350 6.0 you plug it in over night even when its not too cold and she fires right up. My case I did the FICM fix but that was right before it started getting warmer overnight and I don't know if that fixed it because I traded it later that summer..... I'd check in and do research in the 6.0 Sub-Forum lots of knowledgeable guys in there. Best of luck!

-Thor

 

No it actually runs fine after start up. When I bought it I was thinking it was the glow plugs or glow module because it did run fine after start up. I've got a lot if work to do to it today, I'll see what I can find out