Hey guys I’ve been trying for months here and I’ll try to specific, to get my idi running right.

I got it 6 months ago, and I’ve been trying to make it start without ether. For the first 2 weeks it WOULD start eventually off just cranks but I eventually killed my starter. Threw a new one in and it would start after about 20 seconds of cranking, but if I didjt get a single fire it wouldn’t start. I’ve got new glowies and all, but it still wouldn’t start so I determined fuel. Inj pump is doing alright so I’m not worried about that one, then proceeded onto fuel filter then fuel lift pump. I’ve been through damn near everything I could aside frok actually opening the motor ( trying to avoid that if possible)Now, the truck won’t fire at all, it just wreaks of diesel when I crank and I can’t for the life of me make it start, even on ether now it won’t start. I’ve had to use the sauce about 6 or 7 times and every single time I was cautious and just gave a tiny sprits. Now 2 months later, she won’t fire off ether at all. There’s fuel, there’s air, but I fear the compression fairy did it’s rounds with the way this motor don’t wanna work. It sat for about 1 month and a half now not ran at all but I haven’t tried to run it until just last week. even when I throw it on the block heater (our temps during winter are usually -10~30°) I can provide more symptoms if needed, but if ANYONE can throw some ideas or help spread this post around it would be hugely appreciated. I’m 16 and this is my first mechanical diesel project so I don’t have a ton of knowledge on it

 

Did you disable the GPs before using ether? New glow plugs but do they work have you actually test them? What brand were they that you put in? If compression is suspect why not test it so you know for sure what you have. To the best of you knowledge when was the last time it started properly? How fast does the engine crank over, they need a fair amount of speed to fire off.

 

a few months back, wheb the ether was required, the glow plugs were non functional. I don't have a diesel compression tester on hand so that’s why I haven’t tested yet. I used motocraft zd-29s and a Napa relay. I can spin at about 200-300 rpm when cranking, last time it ran properly would be about 1.5 months ago when I took it for a little putt just to keep everything in order or so I had hoped.

 

Where did you get your ZD29 plugs? Have you actually tested them to make sure they are working correct? Just because they are new does not mean they are good. You have power at the injection pump and you can hear the fuel shut off clicking? What test did you do to determind that the injection pump is OK? You really need to get the basics established. Compression would be one of the first things I would get a feel for. I would guess the parts stores might have a rental one that you could use. Then you need to know what you glow plugs are doing. When things are working correctly you will be drawing close to 200 amps. Have you load tested the batteries are they good or bad? Where is the timing mark set at. Have you pop tested the injectors? Does the block heater work and have you plugged it in for a few hours before trying to start it. You might warm the block with the heater and then get a buddy to pull you and see if it will fire off. Any recent engine work that could contribute to you issues.

 

new napa glow plug relay does not mean mush anymore. i saw three brand new out of the box bad. with just about everything made in china these days quality control is non existent.
first thing to do is check for power going to the glow plugs when the relay is energized.
at -10 degrees, you should be seeing the wait to start light on for around 20 seconds.

 

Fuel injectors play a large role in how quickly the engine will start also. You didn't mention the age/miles/ condition on those.

 

I agree with the replies to your question. Unless it's running on 7 cylinders, have 0 psi oil pressure, or consuming massive amounts of oil, or making horrible noises, your engine is probably fine. Fix your fuel and glow plug issues and keep driving it. That's the cheapest thing to do.

 

okay thanks, I’ll check soon if all my glow plugs actually work, I’ll also inspect more on the fuel side of things, I recently replaced my lift pump as that seemed to be the issue because I had zero to no fuel delivery to the top of the engine now it just stinks of diesel when I crank so in that regard I may have done the install wrong. Timing mark hasn’t been checked YET. Block heater does work confirmed and I’ve got two fresg moto master 850 cca’s I know they’re not amazing batteries but they work and have a good replacement plan. Regardless I’ll check badk to the forum in about a week as I’ve only got weekends to crank out work hours on this beast. Again thank you have a good one

 

engine ALLEGEDLY has 160thou kilometres on a rebuild and the injectors are Damnn fresh about 6k on them. I haven’t pop tested because well I honestly haven’t thought to do that. I don’t have a shop or anything to work on it woth so I try to make due in the yard here.

 

The Starter turning the engine over 200 - 300 RPM is too slow.
I think I read they should turn it 600 RPM`s.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-starter.html

Minus 10 Deg, you need everything working 100%. Even I don`t want to start at 30 deg....LOL
One Starter that is recommended is the Power Master 9050 USA made. Been using mine probably
8 years. Been great.
When I bought the 86 10 years abo, GPs did not work, Block heater cord was bad, I remember sticking
my Harbor Freight Heat gun down the intake for a min or 2. Then she lit right off.
Be sure to remove the Filter element, or you will have too much fire...
When I replaced the BH Cord and plugged her in, she started right up.
Being -10 F, I would never unplug the BH.
Remember, the colder it is, the less oomph your Batteries have.
Make sure all your Grounds are clean as well the Positive side.
As mentioned, do not use Ether and GP`s at the same time.
Disable the GP`s first.

Was it a running driving truck when you bought it. Or been sitting round a long time?


Charlie

 

thank u for all the extra info there, I’ll invest in a battery blanket for sure. Seems so far every says to look into my glowies so that’s the first step, next I guess I’ll see what I can do about my starter because 300 rpm definitely ain’t cutting it

 

I forgot about a battery Blanket, also there is an Oil Pan Heater. The colder the Oil is, the thicker it is.
Do you have a Garage or Shelter to put it in?
The colder it is the more difficult it is to start a Diesel engine. Everything needs to be in tip top shape.
My GP`s are on a momentary toggle switch. Last Jan we were down in the teens. Glowed for 10 - 12 sec,
started crankin on the Starter, hit the GP another 5-6 sec, while crankin, did this several times till a cyl or 2
started to come on line, did this several times.
Sounded like I was throwing every Rod through the side of the engine. Never heard her make such terrible
noises and she finally slowly started to smooth out. She smoked like an old Detroit 2 stroke till she got
over her coughing spell.
It`s a little rough on the Starter, but if you stop to cool the Starter, the Block is sucking off the heat pretty fast.
You have sucked down the Batteries, then you chances of giving it a go a second time drop off fairly fast.

With a GP Controller you can`t manually control the plugs.


Charlie

 

so general consensus seems to put glowies on a manual toggle so I’ll be looking into that if you guys have any suggestions, I do have our grandpas shop where I can now take it to work on, however it’s across town and I can’t get the truck started to bring over. I try to wait until we have a warmer day when I attempt to start the engine and I make sure to have the block heater on for at least 4 hours. On the colder spells I’ll bring my batteries inside make sure they’re charged and bring em out the next day or so when I figure I’ll give it another shot. In terms of the oil pan heater I’m pretty broke in the meanwhile as I’ve already dumped most my extra cash into this truck but I’ll take a gander around town for a decent looking pan heater. Thanks

 

how long does the glow plug wait to start light stay on? if they are working properly, a manual switch will not do any good.

 

the WTS light stays on for about 12-15 seconds usually and flickers on and off once before it’s done