Hello, I am at the point that I want to sell my diesel..... And I never thought I would say that. Short version... I bought a brand new f350 cab n chassis in 2007. Great truck.... Not a single issue except someone decided they needed it more then I did..... Once dust settled and insurance was done screwing me.... I bought my current truck, 03 7.3 with approx 270,000 kms. I have had some work done, tranny rebuild, new turbo, #8 injecter, new starter And most recently new batteries and a block heater. My truck will NOT start cold with out plugging in block heater for min 45-60 min. Had it in to local shop and they figure rest of the injecters are badly worn. I need a glimmer of hope that once I sink more into my ride that she will start. That shop also says that my HPOP is all good. Please send along any help you can suggest.

 

I'd check the Glow Plug Relay first, if the GP's are not getting power it's not going to want to start without some kind of heat, that's probably why plugging it in is helping. If the GPR is ok I'd look at replacing the GP's themselves way before new injectors. Start with the easy and cheap before moving to the expensive and difficult.

 

just the nature of the beast, the 7.3 are always hard starting in weather under 32degrees. My dads wont start if not plugged in and in weather close to freezing its very hard starting if he doesnt plug it in the night before

 

Thanks gdn. I will give that a try. I like the idea of starting cheap and easy!

 

Moved to the 1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel forum.

 

Test the GPR first since that's cheap. Are you getting smoke while cranking? If so, how much and what color?

To determine if it's the injectors (which it may be), pull the valve covers and try to start the truck cold. As the truck is being cranked, watch each injector to see how much oil it is spitting. If you've got several injectors not spitting oil when cold, but do spit oil after it's plugged in for an hour, or if they all spit oil nicely after the truck is started and allowed to warm up, then it's worn injectors.

If you have to crank the truck and watch for oil, don't crank for more than 20 - 30 seconds at a time and let the starter cool for a few minutes between attempts. Also keep the batteries on a charger so you don't wear them down with the cranking.

 

White/light grey smoke but not much

 

Time to pull the valve covers.

 

Thank you. I going to replace the injectors and the relay. Found really good deal on parts. I am going to replace the relay as well as glow plugs. I have also been asked about "injector cups". Can any one give me some info on said cups? I am no mechanic but pretty handy..... Are the injectors a taker in to the shop deal or can I get a lil dirty and handle it?

 

Where did you find a really good deal on parts? If it's Pensacola diesel, keep saving your money. Having to keep going back in and swapping injectors (free replacement under warranty) doesn't make it worth the little bit of savings.

Injectors are a DIY job. Many of us here have done it.

 

Nope genuine ford parts. I am not so worried about changing injectors and glow plugs out but these " cups" are what I am trying to wrap my mind around.

 

Care to share your source for "cheap" genuine ford parts?

What do you want to know about cups? If you have no fuel in coolant you likely don't have an issue.

 

Once they are in my hands I might be able to... I might become a distrubutor......

 

How to test injector cups for leaks. LINK

 

You must live close to McMurdo Bay , because my truck easily starts (after days not starting) at -10F with just the glowplugs BUT I have a known good GPR, known good OEM glowplugs, two known good batteries, and 5-40 synthetic oil. I have never seen a 7.3 that wouldn't start cold without the block heater down to -10F if it had the above known to be good and synthetic 5-40 oil in it.