Hi,

Thanks for helping me reparing my van just by reading old coinversations!

I have a 1988 E-350 7.3 non-turbo 4X4 lifted 4:10 3speed converted to a nice off-road camper.

My van is hard to start when cold (have to crank for 20 sec.)

I changed:
-Glow plugs (motorcraft BERU zd...)
-GP's controller
-Injector TEE and return lines
-batteries/alternator

I checked:
-GP cycle for more than 10 sec
-continuity in GP's harness
-the starter crank strong.

I don't know what else to look at to make it start??? I don't want to burn my starter!

Thank you

Pierre
Whistler, BC

 

wow well you pretty much have everything covered.check into the injectors or the injection pump.off hand those are the only other suspects.

oh and welcome to the forum

 

What is the compression like.

 

Wistler! I'm jealous! Snow pack on Mt washington on the island seems to be in flux all the time LOL. Love the van, Welcome to the forum.

Next time you are about to cold start the van, remove the fuel filter and see if its full right to the top with diesel. I suspect you will find it only about 2/3 full indicating a drain back problem.

 

If It isn't fuel check and make sure you are in fact getting 12 volts to the gp's some have found that though they were working a bad or corroded connection would be robbing voltage and they wern't getting hot enough.

 

Did the vans have another filter along the frame somewhere? Seems like I remember another filter!

 

How can I check the injectors and injector pump?

Concerning the compression, I am sure the engine does not burn oil. I never had to add oil.

I will check for the diesel level in the fuel filter. Last time I changed it, there was an annormal amount of "rust look life sand" in it...
- BTW Dave85, the snow is not that good in Whistler this winter :-(

I will check the 12V to the GP.

I don't think there is another filter but I will double check.

Thank you verry much!

Pierre

 

Your lift pump may be on its way out, my 88 used to be hard to start cold, but after changing the lift pump she cranks every morning

 

Pierre, is it easier to start with the block heater plugged in?

 

David85, I just changed the glow plugs 2 days ago, I did not tried to plug it since...

I am on my way to check the fuel level in the filter...

How can I be sure that there is no leak in my return line? I see no fuel comming out from the TEE when the engine is running, but maby air is comming in when the van is parked?

 

Its possible that air is getting in from somewhere. The O rings under the fuel return tees can be sensitive it you touch them while working on something else and they are less then a few weeks old. Any damp parts can be considered a suspected air leak if you find your filter is not full of fuel.

Generally with air leaks, you have the truck starting and running for a few seconds then stalling requiring a good 20-30 seconds cranking to get it going again. Low fuel in the filter would confirm this condition.

Plugging the block heater in is what tells you if the glow plugs are working. I know you said they are new, but the wiring harness in these engines can build up resistance in the connectors over the years from dust or corrosion (usually both). That can give the controller a false reading or simply eat up the amps from the battery preventing the glow plugs from getting hot enough for the fuel to ignite.

 

David85, I just tried to remove my fuel filter... but I will have to give it another try cause I've just spill it all over. It was 1/4 full when I managed to look at it!!!

The engine is hard to start right away... it does not start and stall.

I probed the harness and the resistance look low and similar from one to another connector...

But for now, the van is plugged and I will see tomorrow morning...

After reading Dean88 advices, I have read in my Haynes book and learn what was a lift pump... I think this might be a good "piste". And cheaper than an injection pump!

Finally, I have noticed that there is no smoke comming out of the exaust durring the first 15 seconds of cranking. The engine starts few second after teh exaust start smoking... which makes me thing I have a fuel delivery problem more than a GP issue.

Thank you verry much for helping me!

Pierre

 

No smoke. But are you seeing a slight amount of white mist?

 

Are your cold start advance and idle up solinoids working?

 

George D.,
The idle up solenoid works fine.

But I don't know how to tell if the cold start advance unit is working?????