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6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Hard to start

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Old Jul 1, 2022 | 08:49 AM
  #1  
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Hard to start

I've searched the threads and so far I haven't found my exact issue. My '03 has been getting increasingly harder to start. It will crank but doesn't want to start. I usually have to cycle the key on and off a few times to get it to finally start. I've recently replaced the primary fuel pump, all the injectors, and the HPOP. I checked the FICM voltage and it's right on the mark. Has anyone experienced this and might have an idea which direction I can look?
 
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Old Jul 1, 2022 | 01:16 PM
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Did the hard starting occur after the work you did? Or is this work done because of the hard starting?
And what monitoring tools do you have?
 
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Old Jul 2, 2022 | 08:13 AM
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The hard starting has been going on since before I had the work done. It's now getting worse, it used to just do it when I started it the first time of the day, now it does it about half of the time. The original problem that I had was the hard starting first thing in the mornings, and very sluggish on takeoff. The new injectors fixed the sluggish takeoff. I'm really not sure what monitoring tools the mechanic has.
 
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Old Jul 2, 2022 | 08:34 AM
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Is it worse when it’s colder outside, such as a glow plug issue? Does it need to crank longer the longer it sits like an oil drain back issue?
 
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Old Jul 2, 2022 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by RevRup
The hard starting has been going on since before I had the work done. It's now getting worse, it used to just do it when I started it the first time of the day, now it does it about half of the time. The original problem that I had was the hard starting first thing in the mornings, and very sluggish on takeoff. The new injectors fixed the sluggish takeoff. I'm really not sure what monitoring tools the mechanic has.
It probably doesn't take much searching to see that the active people helping out on the 6.0L forums pretty much all tell the owner that they need to get their own scan tools (and monitoring devices). You can save a lot of money and the tools are CHEAP! Additionally, most people familiar with these engines do NOT want to participate in a guessing game because it can (and will) get expensive.
.
.
.
.
Download ForScan Lite to a SmartPhone and get the OBDLink MX+ or the BAFX adapter (BAFX adapters work fine, they are inexpensive, but a few less "features" when compared to the OBDLink adapters).

Or you could download the full version of ForSCan to a Windows PC, and get the USB version of the OBDII adapter: OBDLink EX.

The PC version is the most powerful, but the 'lite' version is still very handy for troubleshooting.

Downloading ForScan to whatever device you want:
Download FORScan
You do not need the license for troubleshooting

OBDLink® MX+ Support - The Documents You Need For Your Scan Tool
Check out all the starting guides and documents for the OBDLink® MX+ from OBDLink®. Purchase your powerful scan tool today!
www.obdlink.com

BAFX for Bluetooth:

BAFX Products® - Wireless Bluetooth OBD2 Reader / Scanner for Android Devices
The best bluetoothe OBDII reader for Android devices on the market today! Guaranteed to work on ALL OBDII compliant vehicles! Not just a few! Backed by 2 Year warranty from BAFX Products®
bafxpro.com

BAFX is one of the best bluetooth OBDII readers for Android devices on the market today. Guaranteed to work on ALL OBDII compliant vehicles! Not just a few! Backed by 2 Year warranty from BAFX Products®


BAFX for WiFi:
WiFi OBDII Reader / Scanner for iOS Devices
Our brand new WiFi OBD reader for use with iOS devices! Compatible with all iPhones, iPads, & iPods! Guaranteed to work on all consumer vehicles purchased in the USA model year 1996 or newer!
bafxpro.com


OBDLink EX for USB:
OBDLink® EX - OBD2 Adapter For ELM327 & FORScan
When looking for a top-of-the-line OBD II adapter that works with FORScan, look no further. At OBDLink® we have the right scan tools. Purchase here!
www.obdlink.com
 
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Old Jul 2, 2022 | 09:31 PM
  #6  
xcrsp440's Avatar
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Do you have a check engine light? Glow plugs can be a source of hard starting when the engine is cold. Seems you have a multimeter because you said FICM voltage was good (the number would be nice to know).
Go to you tube and check out diesel tech Ron. He has a video on glow plugs and easy tests with a multimeter.
Let us know what you find.
 
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Old Jul 2, 2022 | 10:42 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by bismic
It probably doesn't take much searching to see that the active people helping out on the 6.0L forums pretty much all tell the owner that they need to get their own scan tools (and monitoring devices). You can save a lot of money and the tools are CHEAP! Additionally, most people familiar with these engines do NOT want to participate in a guessing game because it can (and will) get expensive.
.
.
.
.
Download ForScan Lite to a SmartPhone and get the OBDLink MX+ or the BAFX adapter (BAFX adapters work fine, they are inexpensive, but a few less "features" when compared to the OBDLink adapters).

Or you could download the full version of ForSCan to a Windows PC, and get the USB version of the OBDII adapter: OBDLink EX.

The PC version is the most powerful, but the 'lite' version is still very handy for troubleshooting.

Downloading ForScan to whatever device you want:
Download FORScan
You do not need the license for troubleshooting

OBDLink® MX+ Support - The Documents You Need For Your Scan Tool
Check out all the starting guides and documents for the OBDLink® MX+ from OBDLink®. Purchase your powerful scan tool today!
www.obdlink.com

BAFX for Bluetooth:

BAFX Products® - Wireless Bluetooth OBD2 Reader / Scanner for Android Devices
The best bluetoothe OBDII reader for Android devices on the market today! Guaranteed to work on ALL OBDII compliant vehicles! Not just a few! Backed by 2 Year warranty from BAFX Products®
bafxpro.com

BAFX is one of the best bluetooth OBDII readers for Android devices on the market today. Guaranteed to work on ALL OBDII compliant vehicles! Not just a few! Backed by 2 Year warranty from BAFX Products®


BAFX for WiFi:
WiFi OBDII Reader / Scanner for iOS Devices
Our brand new WiFi OBD reader for use with iOS devices! Compatible with all iPhones, iPads, & iPods! Guaranteed to work on all consumer vehicles purchased in the USA model year 1996 or newer!
bafxpro.com


OBDLink EX for USB:
OBDLink® EX - OBD2 Adapter For ELM327 & FORScan
When looking for a top-of-the-line OBD II adapter that works with FORScan, look no further. At OBDLink® we have the right scan tools. Purchase here!
www.obdlink.com
What Bismic said, you will need a bunch of different data and parameters to diagnose these things.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2022 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
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Thanks for the info, guys. I forgot to mention that when I had the HPOP changed, it started up like it should for a while before it started messing up again. I got to thinking that it's getting close to time for an oil change, so I changed my oil and filter on Saturday and it starts first time every time now. The odometer is broken so I don't know how many miles was on the oil, but I'm thinking it's close to 4,000-4,500 miles, as I drive approximately 1,000-1,200 miles a month. The oil level was down about 3/8" on the stick, but it felt pretty thin. I've always used Delo 400 up until the last two oil changes and I had to change to another brand, because everyone around here was out of Delo 400.
 

Last edited by RevRup; Jul 6, 2022 at 08:53 AM.
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