I know that there is LOTS written about hard starting issues with IDIs, but this has us a bit puzzled. We are dealing with a late 86 that we never heard run in it's original vehicle, as it was a swap into a 1979 that we are completing. We have checked or done the following:

1)-All Glow Plugs all replaced with Motorcraft. Controller cycles for seven or eight seconds, then afterglows. If O take a GP out and ground the body and turn the ignition on, they get hot, but do not quite "GLOW". Should they actually get hot enough to glow? If they are NOT getting hot enough to glow, could that cause a no-start condition? Could that cause the problem even if it is 70 degrees outside, ie, does a "cold" engine need GPs to start even in warm weather?

2)-We have replaced the OEM injectors with "refurbished" (sorry, but funds are a bit tight) injectors. It smokes a bit, but we attributed it to it not having been run for a year, and thought it may clear up.

3)-Installed a DIPACO return line kit from Mel, so I assume no leaks there.

4)-Installed new "olives" at the fuel filter head to lift pump connection, both ends of the fuel filter head to IP connection, and the return line to ip connection. Are there any others?

5)-Since we needed a "cold idle solenoid" and a nearby junk had an 86 'running engine' f-250, we were able to purchase the entire pump for a very reasonable price. We swapped the pump, setting the "static timing" to line up the two marks. We Know that we need to do dynamic timing, but are they that sensitive to timing that setting it statically would cause a "no start"?

Slightly Diesel smelling when cranking. Cranking speed is pretty good. Pair of newer 1000 CCA batteries, new 2/0 cables. I know it is frowned upon, but a 1/2 second shot of ether into the snorkel of the air cleaner, and it fires right up. Seems to run and drive o.k., once it is warm. Based on the above, any ideas of what we may be missing? I have never owned a Diesel before, and appreciate the group members being so generous with advice.

 

I would check fuel press. at the bleed valve. I think 6-9psi. And volume 16-32 oz./min.? Might be your lift pump.

 

slow cranking, its a problem, get a starter with gear reduction, she will spin real good.

 

a few questions.
1: what glow plugs were put in?
2: what is the voltage at the glow plug connector?
3: how fast is it spinning over?

7-8 second glow time sounds short, it should be closer to 12 seconds.

if the starter is weak, it will turn the engine over but not start.

this is a bad starter at 70 degrees:
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/tjct...l?sort=3&o=131

and here is a new starter at 40 degrees:
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/tjct...l?sort=3&o=130

 

Uhhhh, what?????

 

sorry about that, they are supposed to be video links. apparently photobucket screwed with their settings again

i fixed it with good links to the associated videos.

 

I will check the fuel pressure at the bleeder valve.

The truck WILL start on it's own, it just takes a few rounds of cranking. The starter seems alright, it will crank at a pretty good speed. The glow plugs that I put in are Motorcraft ZD9's (motor is a late 86, so it has bullet style GP's).

However, I'm not going to rule out that it could be the starter that is going out... How bad is it to change a starter on these motors? Were you able to do it with the motor in the truck? Because looking at how the starter is on my truck (the truck is a 79), it may be a very very tight fit to get it out. Also, what starter would you guys recommend?

Thanks!

 

Yeah, PB is really messing up their site, it's getting harder to find your own stuff anymore.

That difference is night and day, in the first video it sounded like your batteries were almost dead.

 

actually, the battery's were almost dead in the second one with the new starter, they were brand new in the first one with the bad starter.
those two videos were taken almost 6 months apart. the truck sat for that long, because rite after i took the one with the bad starter it died completely, and it took me close to 6 months to put the new starter in.
seeing as it is now a backup truck, it is kind of out of sight, out of mind.
i was getting it ready for plowing snow and remembered the starter had died, and had to put the new one in 2 days before it snowed. .