I think I need a cam position sensor because of the occasional dying. It seems to be getting worse and is becoming harder to start after setting for a few days unless the block heater is plugged up to elecrtic line.

are these two issues related?

 

Unlikely. If you have an aftermarket CPS it would be good to replace it with a Ford or IH sensor, as good measure. But if you have to plug in the truck when you feel you shouldn't have to, that suggests a glow plug issue.

 

I had the same issue this winter. Really cold, hard starts, would end up killing the battery and need a jump. I would say replacing the glow plugs and relay was about 100$ for a good relay and aftermarket GP(dieselRX). That is what I have on order, just waiting for the snail mail to get here.

 

So the extra heat generated from the block heater would aid in starting?

 

$100 apiece or for both?

 

Unless they're marked Beru or Motorcraft, DON'T get "aftermarket" GPs. Beru or Motorcraft ZD-11 only, unless you want to wrestle with stuck/swollen plugs in future. They're about $80 for all eight.

Relay -- Western Plow is $20-ish, Stancor / White-Rodgers 586-902 is about $50.

 

I ran the DieselRX in my Audi 2.5TDI, never had a problem with them. Perhaps an upgraded 100A GPR to go with the higher rated dual coil GP's? Haven't got here, yet. I got mine for about 70 shipped. The stock relay was about 30, guess I have a spare if I need it next winter.

 

100A would barely power eight plugs. The Stancor relay is rated for 200A, IIRC. The Western Plow is close to that.

 

Ah, perhaps I got mixed up in the IDI stuff, it happens to me all the time when trying to find parts.

 

Jim runs and sell the RX GP's and has never had a issue with them.

To the OP what is the temps where you are at ?

 

Its Oklahoma so temp varies. It was around 79 on easter and they're forecasting a high of 45 for the next couple of days. It's like Will Rogers once said, "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma just stick around"!

 

I think I'll play it safe and just go to the parts dept at the dealer.

 

Well if Kansas winters are like this every year, I should only hope to have just one more before I *might* PCS out of here for something a bit warmer. If that's the case, I'm going to need better quality GP's, that pump out more heat, and DieselRX is one of the better ones out there.

If most German cars are using them(and Germany's winters are brutal too), they must be worth more than a glow plug that only lasts half a winter, mine wouldn't heat the block enough to start in 20 deg weather with 10MPH winds, even after a few cycles!

Getting closer to the big stuff now, so UVC gaskets, plugs, relay harness and it all. Probably months away still, but with the summer months supposed to be brutally hot, I can swing by with these sub-par glow plugs in the mean time. I still have to find my phantom power draw.. But hey, the beast started this morning, and it was only 32 outside. It was cold, but I think the 72% humidity has a lot to do with it too.

 

Yes - heat is important when starting a diesel engine, since it uses compression to spontaneously ignite your fuel-air mixture. When the engine is cold it needs the glow plug system to introduce heat into the intake so the fuel-air mixture is warmer and easier to ignite. The block heater is critical if you don't have a functioning glow plug system because it won't start without it. Some people use ether, but I'd not recommend that option, as it can explode at the wrong time and cause damage either to you or the vehicle.

Depending on your mechanic skills there are some good options to save money by not hiring a mechanic to troubleshoot the glow plug system. There are some expensive glow plug relays out there, and there's some lively debate about which to buy. The parts store will get you a product that works.

 

I would listen to the folks who suggest Western Plow or Stancor...the stock relay is rated for 12volts...automotive engines put out closer to 14.5 volts...stocker fails after a few years,...the others have been known to never fail...just a thought...good luck with whatever you go with!!