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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

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Old Apr 28, 2014 | 05:12 PM
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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
 
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Old Apr 28, 2014 | 06:14 PM
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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.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2014 | 06:28 PM
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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?
 
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 05:05 AM
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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.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:38 PM
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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!
 
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:47 PM
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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.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:50 PM
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Okay thanks, I'll take it in soon I'll post the results after
 
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 06:58 PM
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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.
 
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