Running Rough at Start
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New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: College Station
Running Rough at Start
My 03 7.3 with 217K is running really rough and has very little power when first started unless I plug it in at night. Have already replaced all 8 glow plugs and they have been tested to be working properly. Have got a couple of different opinions one shop wanted to replace the HPOP and the injector control module? Talked with another more trusted mech. and he thinks maybe low pressure pump which explains why block heater helps since it is warming the oil and or o-rings on injectors which is allowing pressure to drop until everything gets good and hot. Iam mysteriously loosing coolant ( no leak visible) which he also said could be caused by injector o-rings. He said depending on which o-rings are bad they could allow fuel into the coolant or coolant into the oil. Trying to decide if Iam going to bit the bullet on big $ repairs or big $$$ pmts on new one. any thoughts would be appreciated.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 3
From: Louisiana
O rings won't let oil or fuel into the coolant. I
Think you should
Try starting the truck on a cold
Morning without it plugged and as soon as it starts shut it off and check the res to see how much oil is in it. It does sound like a weak lpop. What happens is when the oil is thicker from the cold it's harder for the lpop to pick up the oil and once it starts it sucks air into the high pressure oil system and that's what causes it to run rough till the air cleans out.
Think you should
Try starting the truck on a cold
Morning without it plugged and as soon as it starts shut it off and check the res to see how much oil is in it. It does sound like a weak lpop. What happens is when the oil is thicker from the cold it's harder for the lpop to pick up the oil and once it starts it sucks air into the high pressure oil system and that's what causes it to run rough till the air cleans out.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Usually bad injector o-rings allow oil into the fuel, evidenced by a black fuel filter, or oil in the bowl, the loss of coolant could be injector cups? I know you said the Glow plugs were fine but what about the glow plug relay? If it is not sending power to them they don't do any good?
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
How old is the oil? How dirty is the filter? Fuel filter? Any thing that involvese oil or fuel will be slower on cold days. Next thing is the batteries. Week batteries will start your truck, but not allow your GP's to do their job properly.
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New User
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From: College Station
not glow plug relay all tested out good with volt meter after speeking with tech at the dealer and another one at powerstoke magic in houston they both thought it is bad injector or injectors.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
You need to get a buzz and contribution test done to confirm that. Worn injectors will cause starting issues. With your post it seemed this was just an issue that has come up, but if it has been progressively getting worse, its likely with that mileage.
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New User
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From: College Station
Sorry I should have stated that the problem has been going on for @ a year now thought that it was plugs had them replaced (there were 4 bad ones just did them all) problem got better but not fixed. since then it has just gotten worse and if its a real cold morning and i forget to plug in it will barley even go. If I plug it in its better but I still feel a little hesitation for the first 5-10 min
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Does sound like injectors I had similar issues and even got to where in moderate 60's weather if it sat overnight without being plugged in it wouldn't start. New injectors... Didn't plug it in all winter.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
It's up to you and what you want to do really. Or what you do with your truck. Or what you want to do, there are some great options out there, you just need to decide what you would want. I would get it tested though before jumping on injectors as they are pricey. Even from our discounted vendors and sponsors.
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New User
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From: College Station
Yea if that is the problem and I decide to keep the truck I'am thinking of doing some mods that Ive wanted to do for a while I have a superchip programer but everyone here raves about the dp tuners thinking of that and exaust I already have 6637 filter drove 2011 with 400hp and 800lb torque would love to have that much power a few k in the 7.3 seems cheep compared to 60K for new
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
400HP is relatively easy, and if thats your goal probably hybrids, DP tuner, and a 38R. Clay will help with decisions and prices are hard to touch... http://www.riffraffdiesel.com/category/F97-03.html
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 119
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From: Rock Hill, SC
My 03 7.3 with 217K is running really rough and has very little power when first started unless I plug it in at night. Have already replaced all 8 glow plugs and they have been tested to be working properly. Have got a couple of different opinions one shop wanted to replace the HPOP and the injector control module? Talked with another more trusted mech. and he thinks maybe low pressure pump which explains why block heater helps since it is warming the oil and or o-rings on injectors which is allowing pressure to drop until everything gets good and hot. Iam mysteriously loosing coolant ( no leak visible) which he also said could be caused by injector o-rings. He said depending on which o-rings are bad they could allow fuel into the coolant or coolant into the oil. Trying to decide if Iam going to bit the bullet on big $ repairs or big $$$ pmts on new one. any thoughts would be appreciated.
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