i have a 93 f250 7.3 idi that i just got. it wont turnover without a shot of starter fluid. one shot and it starts right up. after you drive it some and turn it off it will crank with no problem. if you wait 30min. or so it will not turn over again unless you shoot starter fluid. any ideas on whats wrong im new to diesels and have no knowledge with them. thanks

 

Sounds like you have real bad air intrusion problem. Can you see leaking fuel while it is running? Is there any smoke when it first starts? what color? Any puddling of fuel under the truck? Mine did that when the fuel heater was leaking.

 

I'd disagree with the above and say your glow plugs aren't working.
Read this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...le-system.html

Test out your glow plug system and let us know whats up. My guess is its either none functioning at all, or only one or two are working.

Actually back that up a hair, does the wait to start light come on? Be VERY careful using any sort of starting fluid unless you are damn sure the glow plugs are not heating up.

 

I read a lot, say little, usually....


Your starting issues are glow plug related. Either bad glow plugs or bad relay.....

 

if it takes 30 min and sitting and then no start, I wouldn't think it's the glow plugs..my truck once it's started in the summer and warmed up, I can go min 3-4 hours of sitting after it's warm before I need to glow. air intrusion or the starter ain't spinning fast enough. if you never done it, replace the o rings with Viton ones on the injector and the return lines on the injectors.. might even have a cracked cap...

 

When my fuel heater leaked, my truck could hard or no start after ten minutes, when she is warm, she can sit for two hours and fire without a gp burn in 50 degree weather. No reason not to check both though. Glow plug tests are easy. Times two on using ether with working glow plugs though, you can seriously damage your motor.

 

i also say it is not glow plugs. once my engine is hot it can sit 4 hours and will restart instantly without the glow plugs.
remember, the glow plugs are disabled after engine temp reaches 110 degrees.

 

i've wondered that, I have my glow plug relay on the fender, it's never ever stop cycling on the fender when it's hot, that is probably why the sucker is located in the interesting spot on the engine to gain access too. the heat from engine turns off the relay when it's on the engine.... it's the upgraded controller. 1988 trucks and up

 

not quite. the temp sensor in the block shuts off the controller.

 

i'll have to look at the print's. same switch as the advance on the pump...

 

just look at print, I it don't control the glow plug controller, just the idle advance on inj pump, probably make it control it by running relay then to the gpc.

 

timing advance and cold idle are on the temp sensor at the thermostat housing under the alternator. if i remember correctly the glow plugs are controlled by the engine temp sensor in the driver side head..

 

I would check the compresion on the cold engine, might be low and the fuel does not ignite unless the engine is warm.