If I plug it in for a while or preferably all nite, it will start and run great. If I don't it sounds like its on its last legs and barely starts after three trys or so. I live on the Gulf and it never gets that cold here anyway so I guess I need new glow plugs or something?

 

Do you have a GPR led so you can see when the glow plugs are on?You should check the GPR with a meter when the key is on and see if/what it is putting out.
You may need a Stancor GPR.

 

It probably oil related.. when did you change your oil last.. and what oil are you using..
Another way to check you GPR system is to just use a digital volt meter at the battery with the key on... If your battery voltage drops from 12v to about 11v just after turning the ignition key to on, but not start.. your glow plug system is working..
Also if you switch to a syn oil like Rotella 5w40, you don't need to plug it in..(unless it getting below zero)..
PS: This is what I use to check the glow plug system.. by just watching the voltage.. I leave it plugged in all the time..
http://www.amazon.com/Vector-VEC008-...2296513&sr=8-1

 

Where on the gulf? I'm in al. If you are close I can probably help you out.

 

Also check my gallery pictures for a check of your GPR..

 

I would say Glow plugs or GPR

 

I live in Texas which is a bit of a drive from Ala. I am somewhat of a dummy mechanic and just do alot of the stuff I learn here just out of sheer brokeness as well as the mechanics I go to half the time ending up causing me way more problems than they are worth. Just one example is when I had my ball joints and bearings replaced last year the shop failed to torque one wheel back on properly and it fell off at low speed fortunately and they spent the better part of the rest of year repairing all the damages from that. Place is called "Auto Answers" and if you live in this area don't ever bring a vehicle there.

 

Yea. Just a lil to far away. Get a test light and check both post on the gpr. 1 should have pwr with key off. The other with key on

 

I thought I would try the Valvoline diesel 15-40. Everyone here loves that shell syn and I did try it but my truck didn't seem to like it and in fact consumed a bunch of it so I drained it. I also changed the fuel filter and use Powerservice all the time. I had the pump, #8 changed out and the tank and lines cleaned two years ago in Rock Springs because of bad Bio I used.

 

I still bet it is a GPR problem.Check it out like the threads read and get back to us....Big howdy to a fella Texan
Where abouts on the Gulf.We have several members down there that would help ya?

 

I live pretty much across the street from the Johnson Space Center in the "Clear" lake area.

 

Got me one of these from Walmart for the same price. Plug it in and it 'Checks for current voltsof the batts.'

turn key to on.

Check for draw down as GPR comes on

After starting truck.

Watch meter to know how long the GPR stays on

After GPR goes off with truck running

Shows Alternator output.

I like it.

 

I bet it's the GPR to cause mine done the same thing. If it got below 40 had to plug it up. Then finally it got to the point plugging it wouldn't help. So then i went and bought glow plugs and the relay. I put the relay in and it started right up without me changing the glow plugs. SO i would get a GPR

 

My buddies truck was doing that and we found out that one of the batteries was weak. We put a new one in and it worked great.

 

Tell me about the biodiesel in your sig. Are you making it yourself? Ever run WVO or SVO? How many miles do you go between oil changes? How many miles since the last oil change?

If it's glow plug or relay related, then you will see a bunch of white smoke when it finally starts, or while it's cranking without being plugged in.

However since it was around 70 deg today here, and you live well South of me, I'm guessing you may have some worn injectors. Finding someone with AE that can do a buzz test on a cold engine will help. If you don't have the heavy white smoke issue, you can pull your valve covers, crank or start the truck and observe the oil discharge coming from each injector. My guess is you've got several injectors not firing (discharging oil) when the engine is too cold so it won't start. All injectors should spit the same amount of oil while cranking or running. If some aren't, those injectors are not working properly.