Cold Start Issues
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 458
Didn't have a chance to check the truck out this weekend. Did plug it in Saturday and she started right up without any smoke and no miss. I get that's warm and a different deal. I do have a couple questions. 1) How hard are cold smoky starts, such as I'm experiencing, on the motor? I don't want to hurt something diagnosing. And am I ok to run it if plugged in to start?
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 436
Likes: 51
From: Southwest WA
My e99 7.3 PS had a terrible time starting up in 10 to 20F temperatures (when without power for block heater) and all I did was switch to synthetic 5W-40 motor oil and there's no trouble since!
That was several years ago.
There are at least couple of threads here on this subject.
I realize the fuel injectors are on borrowed time since they have about 220,000 miles of use, but so far so good.
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,194
Likes: 2,657
From: GA
I agree with others this sounds like case of glowplug system playing tricks on you
Here is my 2001 starting about 25* out after sitting overnight. I only let the glow plugs warm for about 5 seconds before I hit starter, just long enough for fuel pressure to build to see how it would do.. You can hear the trombetta relay click in the beginning. 196k mile original injectors and 15-40 oil.
https://rumble.com/vtw34y-2001-f250-...-start-25.html
Here is a video of my 2003 a few years ago, about 28 degrees. re-man motorcraft injectors with very little miles, 15-40 oil.
This was before I replaced a sticky glow plug relay. The first attempt was no glow plugs at all, 2nd attempt (you can hear the relay click this time) the glowplugs worked and she fired right off.
https://rumble.com/vtw6n6-2003-f250-...-start-28.html
Here is my 2001 starting about 25* out after sitting overnight. I only let the glow plugs warm for about 5 seconds before I hit starter, just long enough for fuel pressure to build to see how it would do.. You can hear the trombetta relay click in the beginning. 196k mile original injectors and 15-40 oil.
https://rumble.com/vtw34y-2001-f250-...-start-25.html
Here is a video of my 2003 a few years ago, about 28 degrees. re-man motorcraft injectors with very little miles, 15-40 oil.
This was before I replaced a sticky glow plug relay. The first attempt was no glow plugs at all, 2nd attempt (you can hear the relay click this time) the glowplugs worked and she fired right off.
https://rumble.com/vtw6n6-2003-f250-...-start-28.html
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Curious OP, did you have any luck tracking down your issues? Original video that you posted was like sitting in the cab of my 2000 F-350 (320k miles). Similar-ish recently replaced parts. Dying to know if you unwound the mystery
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
It's a second vehicle since I have a truck provided by work, and I haven't felt like working on it in the cold, so I haven't toyed with it since. The mystery persists, but I'm still dedicated to figuring it out come hell or high water. I'm going to get a couple more tests done this weekend. That will include pulling amps for each glow plug to confirm operation, a fuel pressure test, and use FORscan log to get some more information.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,039
Likes: 310
I have been having some issues with this cold weather myself lately while temps are in the 30's-40's. I'm noticing a gurgling sound coming from the fuel pump that is probably air which relates to fuel pressure. I'm thinking the cold weather is shrinking either the rubber hose at the clamp or the o-ring at the tank disconnect as it doesn't make noise when in the upper 40's+. Truck sounds alot like yours trying to start. Next time you fire it up, turn off the radio, open the door, turn the key on, and listen to the pump. At first I thought it might be a bad pump, but it's a Bosch unit that was put on in 2019...boy have they shot up in price...but it sounds right when the temperatures are warmer...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
It's a second vehicle since I have a truck provided by work, and I haven't felt like working on it in the cold, so I haven't toyed with it since. The mystery persists, but I'm still dedicated to figuring it out come hell or high water. I'm going to get a couple more tests done this weekend. That will include pulling amps for each glow plug to confirm operation, a fuel pressure test, and use FORscan log to get some more information.
In my case, I just inferred the glow plugs were getting power from the ~120 seconds of voltage drop shown by VPWR. Given that my FORscan logs look good and it starts and runs well warm, I'm leaning towards shimming the injectors. Given my mileage, seems like a good thing to check anyway.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Stroke'NPower
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Feb 21, 2008 05:08 AM