What would make my 2006 F250 Turbo Diesel hard to start? Once it starts, it will run forever. This has gotten progressively worse since I owned the truck (about two months now). It does not start on the first crank, second crank maybe, usually thrid crank necessary. THANKS.

 

So many things could cause a slow start that I hesititate to even try to list them. Simple but not so obvious ones would be weak batteries (you really should not still have the originals on an '06), needing an oil change (oil condition is critical to your injectors), fuel filters (first thing you should have changed when you got the truck 2 months ago).

Those are the simple things you can do yourself and hopefully get lucky. Make sure you ONLY use Motorcraft or Racor oil and fuel filters. It is also prefered to use a good 5W-40 synthetic motor oil for improved cold weather starts.

Beyond that it gets more complicated, and you should visit our 6.0 engine forum for advice.

Here is a no-start checklist. I'm thinking slow-start is the first stages of no-start, so you can get a taste of the possible issues in this thread.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...condition.html

 

My 04 6.0 did that for a month and never could figure out the cause. Blew white smoke. My antifreeze was disappearing and finally found the cause (like many others 6.0 owners) the ERG Cooler was bad.

Do you smell antifreeze coming from your vents? Notice white smoke? Look at your cooler reservoir to see if your missing fluid.

 

I have a 04 diesel f250 that i bought. It has 220k. I just changed the oil at grease monkey and also replaced both fuel filters and oil filter. The truck from the beginning when i got it has had a hard time starting. I thought it was because of the cold weather in Denver. But its been in the 60-70s lately and the problem continues. when i turn the key on it starts and idles for a sec or two and shuts off. I retry and wont get it to start. I try it over and over about 3-4 times before it actually comes on and stays on. Any ideas. this is my first diesel truck i own. Any tips are or help on the situation are appreciated.

 

Might be FICM/battery issues, or a Cam/Crank/FICM sync issue. Post a new thread in the 6.0L forum here:
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

And start reading up a diagnostic gauge setup that you're really going to want before this is over:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eral-info.html

Other 6.0L specific threads that might be helpful:
NO START THREAD: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...condition.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...used-6-0l.html
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - Just bought 06 F350 FX4 6.0!!

If you had the oil and filters changed at a generic shop like Grease Monkey, you need to verify that they used the correct filters, and didn't throw away your original oil filter cap and replace it with an aftermarket one. Incorrect filters are a real problem on the 6.0L engine.

 

Texastech diesel thanks man. Yea i verified with him and he said it was the filter that ford recommend and he said yes. that doesnt prove anything though. So what im getting from this is to go to a dealership for any work to be done right

 

EDIT: Oh crap I didn't realize you'd resurrected an ancient thread. Don't do that. Create your own new one.

For reference, when I had what *might* be a similar problem, it was the injector module going out. Eventually it died altogether. Replaced and had no problem after that.

It would be helpful to specify exactly what you're experiencing. Slow cranking? Turning over no problem, but cranking continually without firing? Does it help to turn the key to the on position, wait for glow plug light to go out, back to off, turn to on and wait, back to off, turn to on and wait then start? Or what?

PS Maybe start a thread in the 6.0L specific section instead.