Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

hard cold start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 28, 2014 | 05:12 PM
  #1  
7.3forlife1227's Avatar
7.3forlife1227
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
hard cold start

So i have a 1990 f250. And for the past couple years it has died soon after being started. It will run rough for about a second then dies. It always restarts though. I just got the truck and the first thing i did was put in new glow plugs. The truck still died when first started in the morning. But, it was much easier to start and didn't high idle as long. I should mention that this truck is in dire need of new injectors. Maybe thats why? its recently had a glow plug relay put in it. Also, after the truck runs for a little it will start back up with no problem...... Please help!!!!!!!!




also i should say this truck has the 7.3l no turbo
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2014 | 06:14 PM
  #2  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,429
Likes: 5,509
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
welcome to FTE.
you say it cold starts then dies.
does it die within 3-5 seconds and then is hard to restart?
that is a sign if air intrusion. the o-rings on the return lines wear out and allow a small amount of air in causing the fuel filter to drain back t to the fuel tank.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2014 | 06:28 PM
  #3  
7.3forlife1227's Avatar
7.3forlife1227
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
yes it dies about 3 seconds after starting... i'm sorry i forgot to mention we had it plugged in the night before to see if it was the glow plugs and it started perfectly fine. Also, im not sure if it helps much, but one of the glow plugs was wet when it was pulled out. I know that means the engine will need a rebuild, but is that part of the reason its starting hard?
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2014 | 05:05 AM
  #4  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,429
Likes: 5,509
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
nope. you need to change the o-rings on the injector return lines. i bet when it was plugged in it was facing engine downhill rite?
engine downhill easier to start, engine uphill harder to start.
the reason for this is if the engine is facing uphill it gives the fuel an easier time draining back to the fuel tank.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:38 PM
  #5  
7.3forlife1227's Avatar
7.3forlife1227
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Yes the truck was facing downhill when it was plugged in, i noticed what you meant when i got out to start my truck after school. Its parked uphill and did exactly what i first posted, ran rough then died, except it was 70 degrees all day today. I talked to a friend of mine and he said his dad (who is a diesel mechanic) said it has nothing to do with injectors, that it could be a wiring harness or fuel pump. Not that i don't trust him, it's just i love this truck and want to make sure i will have enough money after all this to at least get this problem fixed. Thank you so much for you help so far!
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:47 PM
  #6  
SteelHorse4x4's Avatar
SteelHorse4x4
Tuned
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach/Wisconsin
I believe Tom is correct. Owned a 94 IDI for 5 years. Had the same problem, not quite as bad though. Also make sure you use Ford beurre glow plugs. All the others are pretty much junk after a year or so.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:50 PM
  #7  
7.3forlife1227's Avatar
7.3forlife1227
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Okay thanks, I'll take it in soon I'll post the results after
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:58 PM
  #8  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,429
Likes: 5,509
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
it has nothing to do with the injectors, it is the fuel return lines and caps on top of the injectors.
this is a common problem with the older in direct injected diesels. when the o-rings get some age to them the break down and let a air into the return line system. and when it sits overnight the fuel filter drains back to the tank.
since air molecules are smaller than fuel molecules, it will let air leak in but not let fuel leak out when running. when the engine sits down hill, the fuel tanks sit level with or higher than the engine, so it is harder for the fuel to drain up to the tank, that is why it starts when engine down hill.
but park with the engine pointing up hill, the and the engine is way higher than the tanks, causing a suction effect. since there is an opening to let air into th system, it will easily drain the fuel filter.
then you "run out" of fuel, and have to crank the engine a while to reprime the fuel filter.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dpotts94
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
10
Sep 17, 2012 06:32 PM
lio45
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
6
Mar 21, 2011 04:58 PM
whiteguy589
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
21
Feb 27, 2009 02:38 PM
jo7.3idi
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
10
Dec 2, 2008 04:10 PM
farmerf1
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 28, 2008 08:17 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:52 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE