Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

cold start question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 10:06 AM
  #1  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
cold start question

I have a 2003. We have been getting in the sixties at night. This has happened couple times now. This morning when I started the truck it was about 68°. When it starts it runs rough and smokes like crazy. This morning it did it for about about a minute or so. why would it do this when it is almost 70 out?
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 10:26 AM
  #2  
knottyrope's Avatar
knottyrope
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,210
Likes: 1,341
From: Bahstun
bad glow plugs, worn injectors that need shims, low compression


What oil are you using?
How many miles since last change
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 10:40 AM
  #3  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
Originally Posted by knottyrope
bad glow plugs, worn injectors that need shims, low compression


What oil are you using?
How many miles since last change
I use rotella and it has been about 2000 miles since last change
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 11:05 AM
  #4  
knottyrope's Avatar
knottyrope
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,210
Likes: 1,341
From: Bahstun
Start by ohming out GP with harness removed, check outer two pins to ground


And check that there is voltage going to them from GPR


If that checks out then compression test or check injectors clearance


http://dieselpro.ca/Poppet%20Valve.pdf
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 11:33 AM
  #5  
MoBill122's Avatar
MoBill122
Papa Smurf
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
If you plug in the block heater, does it start normally ? If so you have an injector or more than one, failing... as knottyrope said above.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 11:52 AM
  #6  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
Originally Posted by MoBill122
If you plug in the block heater, does it start normally ? If so you have an injector or more than one, failing... as knottyrope said above.
I will plug it in tonight and see what it does.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 05:09 PM
  #7  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
Well I have discovered diesel fuel in the coolant. What does this mean?
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 05:48 PM
  #8  
MoBill122's Avatar
MoBill122
Papa Smurf
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
Coolant in diesel fuel means you have a worn out injector cup/sleeve. Or perhaps several of them. Diesel is under higher pressure than the coolant, so it blows into coolant. Google it, you'll find a lot of info.... needs to be fixed, the longer you wait, the worst its going to be on the engine.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
knottyrope's Avatar
knottyrope
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,210
Likes: 1,341
From: Bahstun
Originally Posted by bulldog88
Well I have discovered diesel fuel in the coolant. What does this mean?
Injector cup time. It's not that bad to do but it will take some time with the special tool needed to take them out and press them in.

Best to do all eight sine your already in there
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 06:50 PM
  #10  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
I am getting mixed answers some are saying it's not worth fixing. It's got 450000 miles. What's your opinions?
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 06:56 PM
  #11  
z31freakify's Avatar
z31freakify
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,274
Likes: 1,654
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
For a $100-200 you can fix the injector cups and add new injector O rings, if the engine doesn't have blow by, I would ignore who ever told you that statement.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 07:06 PM
  #12  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
Ok. I havent checked it for blow by. What is the best way to check that? Put the oil fill top on top of where you dump the oil in?
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 07:09 PM
  #13  
z31freakify's Avatar
z31freakify
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,274
Likes: 1,654
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Yes, as long it doesn't blow off or looks like a choose choose train you be alright.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 07:10 PM
  #14  
bulldog88's Avatar
bulldog88
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: huntingdon, tn
Thank you so much for your help.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 07:11 PM
  #15  
MoBill122's Avatar
MoBill122
Papa Smurf
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
I'd fix mine if it needed cups... I expect to get 1million miles on this truck.... before I'll spend the $$$$ they are wanting for a new one !
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:07 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE