hard to start
hard to start
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
What year truck? Apparently this is a diesel engine, correct?
I don't know anything about diesels but a few of the guys here do, you might edit your post's
Title to reflect that it's a diesel you're having problems with.
I don't know anything about diesels but a few of the guys here do, you might edit your post's
Title to reflect that it's a diesel you're having problems with.
New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Utah
I just bought a 1983 F350 Diesel a few months ago and it also has trouble starting. I have to spray a tiny bit of starter fluid in the air filter every time to start it. It's been doing this ever since I got it so I don't think it's because of the cold. I haven't replaced the glowplugs themselves yet but did replace the glowplug relay (as per the previous owner's suggestion) with no results. I'll be interested to see what other suggestions are from this forum.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
If the glow plugs and controller are both in good shape, and working like they should, it should have no trouble firing up in temps well below freezing.
However, if it has air getting into the fuel system, it will be hard to start even in warmer temps. I believe the first step in diagnosing air entering the system, is to let it sit overnight and remove the fuel filter. If there is an air pocket at the top of the filter, then air is getting into the system *somewhere*.
However, if it has air getting into the fuel system, it will be hard to start even in warmer temps. I believe the first step in diagnosing air entering the system, is to let it sit overnight and remove the fuel filter. If there is an air pocket at the top of the filter, then air is getting into the system *somewhere*.
New User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: lily ky
i have also seen partshouse autolight glowplugs be bad out of the box i would check all eight of them and if u find some bad ones replace them all with motorcrafts from the ford dealer and the main line going onto the back of the injection pump is kinda known to leak and cause u to loose prime making it harder to start as Rogue_Wullf stated
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Very good point about cheap glow plugs. Don't even bother to put them in, they will fail at some point in the not-so-distant future. Usually, at the worst possible time.......
Go with genuine motorcraft brand. A bit more money, but they will prove their value in the long run.
Go with genuine motorcraft brand. A bit more money, but they will prove their value in the long run.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Can you describe exactly how you would check them? Is it just a matter of a visual check or do you check them with a multimeter or is there some other way?
