I drive a 91' Toyota Mr2 and I love my car but due to its size I wanna upgrade to a truck for winter. I like this 93' F -350 460 V8 with 220,000miles, the problem is the guy says it's a hard start in the winter, to the point where it won't start unless he puts a heater next to the truck for 45mins in the morning. Any ideas what it could be? Thank you

 

its probably something simple, like the ECT. if it starts fine when warm the ECT is probably shot and the computer isn't going into "automatic choke" because it doesn't think its cold outside.


a little shot of ether is much better than a heater.....

 

Need to start with three questions on the starting issue.


What has he done to try and fix it.


By won't tart does he mean it won't turn over or won't fire?


How cold is cold?

 

1. Answer is he hasn't taken it to a mechanic cause he owns several trucks. 2. Answer is it won't turn over unless it's put by a heater in sellers garage for about 45mins then it'll start/turnover. 3. Live in Utah and it's been like 10 degrees plus wind chill so feels like 0 -5 degrees. He wants only $1700

 

It has 220,000miles on it but the engine was rebuilt 3yrs ago? So I'm seeing if it's worth the risk of buying it at what seems to be a steal.

 

Won't turn over could be as simple as a bad(week) battery(frozen), or too thick of oil(15W40)


I get the impression you haven't seen it yet?
Ask if when cold a jump start will start it instead of the heater, and what kind of oil he uses.

 

Yes it is hard to know what someone means when they say it "Won't turn over". The term should not be used.
Either it will not crank (or crank slow) or it will not start.

 

FWIW at 220,000 miles most of the truck is just broken in. With two exceptions, First remain/rebuilt engines are hit and miss, some are real junk. Pay attention, I suggest looking for oil leaks and opening the oil fill cap while it's running and feeling for a lot of hot air escaping. Both are signs of excessive blow-by. Secondly if it's an automatic then it's an E4OD, they can be a gamble at that mileage, take a good look at the dipstick, both for how the fluid looks and at the stick itself for varnish or rust.

 

Thank you for they input everyone! I'll try n' follow everybody's advice, when I look at the truck haha. And update whether I get it or not.

 

About 60-70% of the "rebuilds" we see are sloppy, shoddy work.

Food for thought.