Hard start
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Hard start
I searched the forums and found a few different possible answers but none that were a total fit. So here's the problem I ran into. I'm just going to mention something that happened last week because it may have to do with my current problem. Last week I ran the rear tank empty to the point of a misfire. I switched over to the front but it didn't change tanks (I had to flip the switch a few times before it switched tanks) But by that time I had sucked air in the fuel filter and had to prime it to restart her. My current problem happened this morning after work. I go to start my truck and it just turns over, no fire at all. It didn't even try and start. I checked to make sure there was fuel making it to the filter by draining the separator and it took a second or 2 for fuel to drain. So I hit the bleeder like I did when I ran her empty and it had some air in it but not a lot. Got in and she started right up I did notice it smoked quite a bit for about 20 or so seconds. It was only 42 degrees last night but had a cold N wind of about 15 mph blowing through the grill all night. I was thinking about maybe the fuel was beginning to gel but from everything I have read that diesel doesn't start to gel till around 10 degrees. Any ideas on what may be going on. Thanks in advance for any help. Oh its a 97 7.3 td if that makes any diffrence
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From: Bellingham, WA
I don't believe your two issues are connected, i know from personal experience that it takes a while to get fuel to the bowl after running one so low that you loose power and get misfire. so i believe your switch is fine. gelling at 42 with a wind is not gonna happen. when was the last time you checked glow plug relay and glow plugs? what color is the smoke blue or white?
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It looks to be a light shade of blueish grey. Did it again a few min ago. But this time it started rite up and ran like she was running out of fuel. I killed it and tryed again and it took about 10 seconds for her to fire. I just got the truck a few months ago so I dont know about any thing that might have been done to it. I do know that this just started last nite was the first time it got below 50. Usually the glow light goes out almost as soon as you hit the key. Now its taking from 5 to 10 seconds for the start light to go out and ready for a start.
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From: Bellingham, WA
If you watch your volt meter when you turn the key on does the needle drop down to like the n or below it? Try turning the key on and wait 30 sec. AFTER the wait to start light goes out to turn it over.
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OK tryed to start it and it wouldnt fire. But My wife asked me what all the smoke was that came out of the tail pipe. So when I crank it to start it it blows the same bluish/grey smoke. does that help? I also did wait to try and start it as u suggested. when I hit the bleder at the filter I get nothing no air or fuel. could it be a pressure regulator going out?
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Monroe City in
I wonder if you sucked some dirt or some thing up in your filter? You might change it and also clean the fpr screen while you are at it. It wouldnt hurt to check your glow plug system also as already mentioned.
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I will do that over the weekend if I make it that long.. The voltage gauge in the truck does not drop below the N when you turn it on either if that helps. And is there a easy way to check the glow plug system? I did notice one of the bolts on the silonide had rust on it. I've been hitting it with a liquid wrench type of spray to try and get it to break loose so I can clean it up. But so far no luck. Dont wanna break it with out a replacement and have a 100% dead truck were I live!!
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Medford Oregon
OK tryed to start it and it wouldnt fire. But My wife asked me what all the smoke was that came out of the tail pipe. So when I crank it to start it it blows the same bluish/grey smoke. does that help? I also did wait to try and start it as u suggested. when I hit the bleder at the filter I get nothing no air or fuel. could it be a pressure regulator going out?
I will do that over the weekend if I make it that long.. The voltage gauge in the truck does not drop below the N when you turn it on either if that helps. And is there a easy way to check the glow plug system? I did notice one of the bolts on the silonide had rust on it. I've been hitting it with a liquid wrench type of spray to try and get it to break loose so I can clean it up. But so far no luck. Dont wanna break it with out a replacement and have a 100% dead truck were I live!!
Method 2. Use a large screwdriver and place it across the big lugs for 30 seconds or so then remove and try to start the truck.
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