Hello everyone,


I have a 1997 7.3 f350. It used to crank and start the first time, everytime, (even in freezing weather) for the first couple years ive had it. All of a sudden a couple weeks ago it is having a really rough start. It does not turn over on the 1st,2nd,3rd,4th even 5th try sometimes. I dont want to crank it and hurt the starter so I just let the plugs warm a few times for a period of time. It will eventually crank over but it really struggles to get it started. It has NEVER had this problem. What do you guys think it could be?

thanks!!

 

The glow plug relay may be bad, touch the two big posts with a screw driver for 30 seconds and see if it starts. Also how old is your oil? Load test your battery's too just in case.

 

The oil has 4k miles since the last change. It cranks real well but it takes many times to turn over. On the initial turn over it tries hard until it comes to a smooth idle. Throws quite a bit of white smoke when it cranks over. I will check with a screw driver.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!!

 

white smoke is unburnt fuel...glow plugs or glow plug relay

 

Exactly.

Or, if the GP system is working as it should, it could be worn injectors as well.