hello this post is for my dad as i wish i could have a powerstroke i cant afford one right now. anyways he has a 2000 7.3 with about 150k all stock. lately and this morning when we go to srart it we wait for the plug lights to go off and crank and crank but it does fire and alot of white smoke comes out the pipe we do this 2 or 3 times then it will start with alot of white smole coming out at start. after it starts it runs fine. it dont do this at all time and it dosent mateer about temp outside it has done it when it when its in the 70's and in the 50's. if it is the plugs is there a way to test to see which it is. we arnt diesel experts at all so this is the only thing i can think of. any help would be great thank you

 

Try leaving the key on until the fuel pump times out. Then turn they key off and then on again for another couple of cycles. Than try and start on the third time and see is it makes a difference. If so, then I would suspect some weak glow plugs might be the issue.

Hope this helps.

 

Try a new glow plug relay, sounds like they aren't working to me.

 

turning the key 3 or 4 times thats usauly when it does fire up again it dosent do this all the time. if the relay was bad wouldnt it not start at all? is there a way i can test the plugs before replaceing them. i have no clue how much they cost but anything we have bought for the motor hasnt been cheap

 

If the relay was bad it would still start, unless it was really cold, but would take several attempts. Relays are cheeper than glow sticks. Up to you though.

 

thank you all for the info

 

check the relay first, it's in the valley of the engine behind the fuel bowl. It's the closest to the firewall, one of the big lugs will have power all the time the other big lug will have power when you turn the key on with the engine cold. You could use a test lite, a volt meter is better but the test lite will at least tell you if it's working at all.

 

great info i will try testing the relay firsat. thanks again

 

Welcome to guzzle's Stancor GPR replacement Mod Web Page

Glow plug relay.. My truck did same thing below 45 degrees.. Troubles on the start up. Bought two or three napa relays before i went stancor. Haven't touched it since.

 

lol seems like something i would do start replaceing plugs b4 fixing thr real problewm thanks for all the advice

 

Missed the part about it not starting in the 70 degree range.. I didn't have a glow plug relay in all summer and it started. It was just below 50 i started having issues with the relay out. If it don't start in the 70's you might have other issues but you can test the glow plug system quickly and easily to rule it all out.

Interesting read https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...pr-system.html

 

Yep. It's pretty easy. All you need to do is measure the resistance at the external connector molded into the valve cover gasket. Disconnect the wire harness from the valve cover gasket and then measure the resistance at each glow plug pin. Set your meter to ohms, place the red probe on the appropriate pin for whichever glow plug you are measuring while the black probe is grounded to the engine. You are looking for a reading in the .8-1.5 ohm range. My worn out glow plugs measured somewhere around 3-18 ohms if I remember correctly.

If your glow plugs ohm out ok, then all you have to do is check to see if your solenoid is working. However, you need to see how many volts are on the switched lug of the solenoid instead of just checking for power. Sometimes the solenoid can be corroded inside to the point where there is a lot of voltage drop and need to be replaced.

Before spending money to buy parts you may not need....it's more practical to swap the GP solenoid with the AIH solenoid (if your truck is equipped). The AIH solenoid gets very little use so it should be in fine shape still (depending on your climate....sometimes it's harder on the parts inside the solenoid if they aren't used on a regular basis...)

Here are some photos that may help.

 

THANKS ALOT FOR THE INFO AND DIAGARMA. HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT THE MOTOR YET ITS BEEN COLD AND RAINY BUT WILL CHECK IT ALL OUT TOMMOROW THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE

 

If you get in a pinch, You can try using the AIH relay as your glow plug relay.

 

at 60 F the plugs stay on bout 1 min longer then dash light, get u a led light, connect to glow suply, dont turn key till led is out