I have a 94 F350 and it ran great until I changed the fuel filter. Ever since it got changed when its cold and I start it it will run for a few seconds then die. Then I have to crank on it for a while until it starts again. It will run rough for a few seconds, then clean up and run fine. Any thoughts?

 

Also from time to time when its cold it will make a clicking noise when I turn the key on and the voltage gauge with jump up and down for a minute or two. Could that have something to do with the start issue?

 

Ok, started truck again this AM and no clicking and hard to start. Just trying to put as much info as I have...

 

The hard start sounds like air getting in to the filter. The truck starts, the air gets pushed into the injection pump & it stalls. You crank a while & the air gets purged and it starts again...

The clicking & voltmeter activity is the glow plug controller cycling. It The wait to start light should go on for about 10 seconds while the glow plugs heat up, then the WTS light goes off, and the glow plugs cycle for a few seconds to help keep it running...

 

Wait to start light does stay on for about 10 seconds. Is it normal for it to make the clicking noise sometimes and not others? Any way to get air out? I have tried bleeding the fuel filter but that didnt help.

 

The glow plug controller works differently depending on temp. The sticky threads at the top of the forum will tell you all about the system.

Since the hard starting issue started after changing the filter, it's a pretty good assumption that the new filter isn't sealing, or one of the lines attached to the filter head were disturbed...

 

Check and make sure thebleeder valve is sealed good. Is it possible you bumped your return lines when changing the filter? If so thats where your air is getting in. Do any of the caps look wet? If so get an injector install kit and set the crush washers aside and replace the o-rings caps and lines and enjoy fast studder free starts!

 

Yes, thats normal. When it is cold outside your voltage gauge will fluctuate right after start up while the glow plugs cycle. This is called a afterglow and you should hear some clicking. If it's warm outside it won't afterglow and it won't click after start up - it will just start up.

It sounds like a air intrusion problem to me. Leave your fuel filter over night and unscrew it the next morning. If it is not completely full, you have air intrusion problems.