cranking starter, no start though!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2014
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cranking starter, no start though!
Hey Everyone, I put a new starter in my truck (7.3 idi non turbo) along with new batteries and replaced one terminal that needed replacing because my truck wont start. My dad thinks that the cdr needs cleaning to start properly, but I was wondering if it might be because of air in the fuel line. I was wondering how long I can crank on the starter. It's brand new so I don't want to burn it out. Any thoughts or advice would be great! thanks in advance!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
White smoke while cranking... it is vaporized fuel. To bleed it hold rhe schrader valve at the filter head open while cranking it until you getfuel. Then loosen several of the lines at the injectors about a half turn. Then crank it until youget spurts of fuel there. Tighten the lines andit should start.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Cranking too long will burn up the starter. 15-20 seconds then wait a good minute ortwo.dont hold thw schraeder valve open when its not crankong or it will suck air in. Loose injector lines wont suck air
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Junior User
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So basically I need someone to help crank it? I am alone today and I have a broken right hand.... maybe later on I'll get someone to help me out. Also I'm pretty sure I need glow plugs.... Didn't know I would need them in the summer (it's my first diesel), it's about 70 degrees in nh today. Going to test them today. I just bought the truck about a month ago now I'm out of work because my hand... poor timing... It's just been sitting in the driveway saying ' put some money into me hunny '... hate to see it just sitting there.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: West Aus
Glow plugs make an amazing difference. I didn't think I would need them in Australia, but I do. The one downfall of indirect injection. I never used the glow plugs on my old landrover.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
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Yeah, you need glow plugs unless it's hot.
Cranking wise, you crank from the front of the engine.
Please watch this video; shows you how to bleed the lines:
Cranking wise, you crank from the front of the engine.
Please watch this video; shows you how to bleed the lines:
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I was busy most of the weekend so i just got to looking at the plugs, and i began taking off the plug wires. one came off easily but the others are very corroded. the plastic covering the end of the wires just kind of smushed and fell apart when i tried to pull them off, couple have no plastic covering at all. Thats when i discovered that cylinder 3 or 5 has no plug at all, cant remember exactly. Any way to get those off easier? also how important are those plastic wire covers? It has been hard trying to pull them off with my left hand theyre harder to reach.
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Joined: Jun 2014
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Penetrating oil is your friend. Spray the glow plugs and let it soak in- you do not want one to break off. I like to spray more after they are loose so the oil gets down on the carbon build up. I have found this to dramatically reduce friction on the end of the glow plug which often swells over time and then likes to break off in the head.
I wouldn't worry too much about the plastic covers being missing personally. The missing wire may have been from a dead short glow plug. Had one short once at the absolute worst time possible- during an active heart attack (fire rescue vehicle) so I cut the entire section of the burnt wire out to keep the vehicle in service. Replacing it is worth the hassle though not critical. Each non-functional glow plug increases the heat to the other glow plugs which shortens their life. And of course makes the vehicle harder to start.
Glow plugs aren't the only thing to worry about though. The little solenoids in the injection pump can go bad now and then. One advances the timing slightly and purges air from the pump, and the other is the kill solenoid. The kill solenoid fails in the kill position, so if it's bad the engine will not start.
Sounds like the glow plugs haven't been changed in a while though, and that's more likely the problem.
I wouldn't worry too much about the plastic covers being missing personally. The missing wire may have been from a dead short glow plug. Had one short once at the absolute worst time possible- during an active heart attack (fire rescue vehicle) so I cut the entire section of the burnt wire out to keep the vehicle in service. Replacing it is worth the hassle though not critical. Each non-functional glow plug increases the heat to the other glow plugs which shortens their life. And of course makes the vehicle harder to start.
Glow plugs aren't the only thing to worry about though. The little solenoids in the injection pump can go bad now and then. One advances the timing slightly and purges air from the pump, and the other is the kill solenoid. The kill solenoid fails in the kill position, so if it's bad the engine will not start.
Sounds like the glow plugs haven't been changed in a while though, and that's more likely the problem.
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There's a glow plug missing or broken off. Couldn't exactly tell with all the crap in there and it's parked in the shade. My right hand is broken, so I kind of have to put it on the back burner until it heals a bit. Even just trying to get the wires off the plugs and test them made my hand throb. They have to be replaced. I was wondering if the truck was missing a glow plug would it still run? I was under the impression that if the engine was exposed to the atomosphere it would stall out from the air in the engine, which makes me think it's broken off. But if that's not the case, and it's just missing a plug, it's definitely rusty around where the glow plug should be. That would be better than broken off and pulling the head one would think. Is there an easier method than pulling the head or having those fancy thread kits/tools? Im on a serious budget here, and Im not currently capable of pulling the head, I'd rather not, even if I could. Thanks guys
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Marianna, Florida USA
Glow Plugs or not you should be seeing white smoke out the exhaust pipe. The first thing I would do is install an electric fuel pump:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...fuel-pump.html
It will save the batteries and the starter any time you mess with the fuel system. All you have to do is turn it on and let it run for 20-30 minutes. It will push fuel thru the clearances in the pump, purging it of air to make sure you have a solid column of oil from the pump to the injectors. I installed mine with a switch on the dash. I only use it to prime the system.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...fuel-pump.html
It will save the batteries and the starter any time you mess with the fuel system. All you have to do is turn it on and let it run for 20-30 minutes. It will push fuel thru the clearances in the pump, purging it of air to make sure you have a solid column of oil from the pump to the injectors. I installed mine with a switch on the dash. I only use it to prime the system.
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how much are those electric pumps? either way, i have to fix the plug problem, as cold weather isnt far away. id like to install one, but im on a budget and need a fuel filter and a couple other things... ball joint job in the future... i bought the truck about a month ago and ive spent 500 trying to get the thing to start!
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