Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Cold start issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 8, 2011 | 04:33 PM
  #1  
liv's Avatar
liv
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City/Breckenridge
Cold start issue

Fellas,

I am having a cold start issue that has been progressively getting worse for about a year now. It is a plow truck so it doesn't get ran all that much in the summer.

She starts most every time unless its very cold. When its very cold it will run for a few seconds then die, can always get it running though. I'd say sub 60degree weather she needs 10 minutes to warm up before there is any power at all. Runs on what sounds like limited cylinders. In just about any temperature the truck needs to run a few minutes before the turbo will spool or transmission will shift, and it sounds like its running on all 8. In very cold temperatures it starts better when plugged in, but its still not right.

Worried at this point if one of the drivers doesn't have access to a plugin for the truck she isn't going to start.

FICM tested ok. 48volts holds throughout the test process.

Truck lost a few injectors last year, but still had some cold start issues before this.

There is no abnormal amount of smoke during start-up. Fresh oil fresh fuel filters.

Would the next step be pulling the glow plugs?

Thanks,

Truck is an 04 with 4-screw FICM. No codes, and everything tests fine.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2011 | 06:01 PM
  #2  
BLADE35's Avatar
BLADE35
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,071
Likes: 240
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
How did the old oil smell

did Oil smell like Diesel

you will have to watch it for awhile now
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2011 | 06:11 PM
  #3  
BobbyB's Avatar
BobbyB
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Ethridge, TN
Some people have had luck with 5w40 synthetic oil helping cold start issues. Sounds like FICM or injectors maybe. Even though the FICM tested 48 volts, it could still be defective. Do you have the injector buzz before start-up? Have you checked for any stored codes or have access to a scangage?
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2011 | 06:21 PM
  #4  
Snuggyworm's Avatar
Snuggyworm
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
if smoke is black, then check ur egr valve. it may be sooted up. perform a clean-up on that first, then if ur still having issues, replace tat egr valve.

also, in the future, i'd also look at doing tat blue spring upgrade for ur fuel pressure regulator to maintain good consistent fuel pressure.

best of luck!
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2011 | 09:55 AM
  #5  
liv's Avatar
liv
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City/Breckenridge
Old oil tested fine.

It is more than a oil weight issue. 3 other 6.0's on the fleet that run perfectly normal with 15w40 rotella. I have no reason to run synthetic in a plow truck.

The only thing to fail in the FICM that would cause these issues is testing fine. I highly doubt its the FICM. FICM is flashed to the newest version. The more quiet buzz.

As I said there is no codes. All PCM tests via scanner pass fine.

EGR valve was replaced last year and cleaned at the end of season. Perfectly operational. As I said in original post however there is no excess smoke on startup.

I will most likely pull the glowplugs tonight and see how well they are working.

Thanks for the replies.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2011 | 10:24 AM
  #6  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Snuggyworm
if smoke is black, then check ur egr valve. it may be sooted up. perform a clean-up on that first, then if ur still having issues, replace tat egr valve.

also, in the future, i'd also look at doing tat blue spring upgrade for ur fuel pressure regulator to maintain good consistent fuel pressure.

best of luck!

+1 on the blue spring. Made a improvement on my truck. Similar issues but not as bad.

Upgraded fuel pressure regulator kit (with cover): Ford#3C3Z-9T517-AG IH#1843065C98
Fuel Pressure Regulator "Spring and Reseal Kit Only" (no cover, should be much cheaper, has gasket): Ford#6E7Z-9C165-B IH#1854267C94
Regulator cover gasket only: Ford#3C32-9C065-AA
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2011 | 10:25 AM
  #7  
BLADE35's Avatar
BLADE35
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,071
Likes: 240
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Diesel fuel in oil will cause a los of fuel pressure till it warms up and the injector orings seal and the truck will return to normal at that point But since Blackstone tested it guess not Whats odd here is the truck is not worthy enough for synthetic oil but you sent a sample to get tested

Not nessaserly an oil weight thing but synthetic should help

aNd the ficm may test good for volts and still be bad theres more to it than 48 volts

Your glow plugs would throw a code if bad its an emmision Item pull em if you want but they should be ohmed out

If the truck lost fuel injectors maybe your suffering from low fuel pressure
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2011 | 11:29 AM
  #8  
loubell's Avatar
loubell
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 6
Rev-x is your friend.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Yama4fitty
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
35
Feb 10, 2017 01:54 PM
n20
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Dec 9, 2013 12:26 PM
northrunner78
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Jul 18, 2011 10:29 PM
PRDATOR
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
15
Feb 27, 2010 05:15 PM
sean23johnson
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Jan 12, 2007 06:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:30 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE