hard start/white smoke
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From: hondo
hard start/white smoke
I have a 99 f350 PSD CC4x4, the last couple of mornings it would not start at the first crank. I cranked it up several times and then waited and tried again and it would start. Also a puff of white smoke comes out of the exaust. I wait unitl the "wait to start" light turns off before starting. This is my first PSD and im not sure what to do. Any Ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
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Joined: Feb 2003
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How Cold is it outside?
Are you plugging your truck in? Have you added any diesel additive?
How cold is it outside?
Last week here in Ontario it has been around -5'F (or as I like to say... F'ing cold). Even with plugging the beast in on a timer it started a little rough for the first few seconds.
I've been adding Stanadyne Performance formula and I haven't noticed any hard start problems... she fires almost immediately.
But when really cold... I got a puff...puff... chug... chug for a few seconds until it totally fired up.
How cold is it outside?
Last week here in Ontario it has been around -5'F (or as I like to say... F'ing cold). Even with plugging the beast in on a timer it started a little rough for the first few seconds.
I've been adding Stanadyne Performance formula and I haven't noticed any hard start problems... she fires almost immediately.
But when really cold... I got a puff...puff... chug... chug for a few seconds until it totally fired up.
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From: hondo
Thanks for responding, -5, now thats cold. I live in south texas, coldest its been in the last couple days is around 30. I havent plugged it in and im not adding any diesel additive. Im going to plug it tonight and see if there is any difference tomorrow morning.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Arizona
The first time I experienced this type of thing was in 5 F and a stiff wind blowing all night, even with it plugged in. Injectors clattering, puffing white smoke and eratice idle. That's when I started putting fuel conditioner in and haven't stopped since.
Last week end a buddy and I were on a mountain with extremley cold temps, both of us had PSDs. Mine started right away even with out being plugged in. His had to be plugged into a generator for a while and I ended up jumping him before his started. The only difference was his was a year older and no fuel conditioner. I think he is a believer now.................
Last week end a buddy and I were on a mountain with extremley cold temps, both of us had PSDs. Mine started right away even with out being plugged in. His had to be plugged into a generator for a while and I ended up jumping him before his started. The only difference was his was a year older and no fuel conditioner. I think he is a believer now.................
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From: Lansdowne. Ontario. Canad
I've really never plugged mine in especially if I'm at work, even on the coldest days as mentioned above here in Ontario she still started right away. I do use conditioner and winter fuel. She may not like it but she still starts, knocks and smokes for a bit but so do I if woken up on a cold wintery day, make sure the batteries are good, your glow plug system is working and up to par and your fuel filter isn't plugged if all is good she should start.
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From: hondo
I plugged it in last night and this morning it started right up. I forgot to check for the smoke but I will check it out tomorrow morning. We havent had the weather some of you guys have mentioned. The coldest its been the last few mornings is around 30. My mechanic told me that if starts rigtht up when its been plugged that it may be a glow plug or some timer tied into the plugs.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Covington,TN
I would check the relay. Another thing I do is wait until the "wait to start "light goes off then turn the key off for a second.Then turn it on and when the light goes out, crank normally.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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I had a similar problem. In my case I went ahead and replaced the glow plugs and glow plug controler, and haven't had any problems since. Actually it starts better than ever. It only cost about $180, and about three hours. Really simple in my '95 F350. I have 145000 miles or so, and wasn't sure if they had been done, as I picked it up at 114000, but like I said, it was simple and pretty inexpensive enough. Hopefully, it will now last many more miles.
I have also heard of cycling your plugs, but they have to be working in order for this to work.
What is your milage? If it's up there, it could be a similar problem. The plugs are really only used for aide in cold starts.
p.s. The white smoke thing happened to me as well.
I have also heard of cycling your plugs, but they have to be working in order for this to work.
What is your milage? If it's up there, it could be a similar problem. The plugs are really only used for aide in cold starts.
p.s. The white smoke thing happened to me as well.
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From: hondo
Thanks Nosaj, I hoping thats the problem. I didn't plug it in last night and this morning it started on the first crank but just barely. The tempeture was around 50 this morning. I think its the glow plugs.
I have about 85,000 miles on my truck. This is my first PSD and it took me a little while to get used to waiting for permission to start the truck. When first bought it, I started it several times before the "wait to start" light went out. Maybe that was the cause of my problems. I'll keep you posted. Thanks
I have about 85,000 miles on my truck. This is my first PSD and it took me a little while to get used to waiting for permission to start the truck. When first bought it, I started it several times before the "wait to start" light went out. Maybe that was the cause of my problems. I'll keep you posted. Thanks
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From: Western Colorado USA
Originally posted by Amicus
Thanks Nosaj, I hoping thats the problem. I didn't plug it in last night and this morning it started on the first crank but just barely. The tempeture was around 50 this morning. I think its the glow plugs.
I have about 85,000 miles on my truck. This is my first PSD and it took me a little while to get used to waiting for permission to start the truck. When first bought it, I started it several times before the "wait to start" light went out. Maybe that was the cause of my problems. I'll keep you posted. Thanks
Thanks Nosaj, I hoping thats the problem. I didn't plug it in last night and this morning it started on the first crank but just barely. The tempeture was around 50 this morning. I think its the glow plugs.
I have about 85,000 miles on my truck. This is my first PSD and it took me a little while to get used to waiting for permission to start the truck. When first bought it, I started it several times before the "wait to start" light went out. Maybe that was the cause of my problems. I'll keep you posted. Thanks
Mine will start with the temps in the high 20's without using the glow plugs, I think your looking in the wrong direction. Try using a good cetane enhancing fuel additive.
Starting it without waiting for the light to go out will not hurt anything. Example, watch your voltage gauge drop when you turn the key on, when the volts come back up, that's when the plugs shut off and it'll be some time after the light goes out.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Burton, Ohio
I would look into your glow plugs and glow plug relay if this continues to happen. Replacing your relay is the easiest thing to do and well isn't a bad thing to try out first. The easiest way to make sure its working is to turn your key on and go and check the voltage across the relay. If your plugs are getting juice 12v then the relay is okay. You will have to change out your plugs if the relay tests out okay.
A controller was mentioned earlier. This can also be a problem but as long as your wait to start light stays on longer depending on temperature it should be okay. Usually a sign of those going bad is when its -20 out and your wait to start light goes out as if it were 95 out, like a second or so.
A controller was mentioned earlier. This can also be a problem but as long as your wait to start light stays on longer depending on temperature it should be okay. Usually a sign of those going bad is when its -20 out and your wait to start light goes out as if it were 95 out, like a second or so.
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From: hondo
Thanks everybody for all your input. This morning it started right up, no problem, no white smoke. I just filed up my tank about 3 days ago and thats when things started to get better. Im not sure what to do. The batteries are not originals but I don't think that they are high quality. How long do glow plugs and relays normally last? I have 85,000 miles, maybe its just time to change them. It doesnt sound like its very expensive. Is that a "do it yourself" job or do I need a Mechanic? I've changed out water pumps and radiators and have done some not very complicated mechanic work. I don't mind using a fuel additive, but it seems to me that it should start up just fine with out the fuel additive.
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97 f250 7.3 powerstroke 4X4 Cold starter
Usually what I do if it has not been plugged in. Is cool down, turn the key off and on several times. I think it sends a charge to the glow plug, dont push on the excellarator or put it to the floor just turn the key all the way off and on off and on. Then start it up. If that does not work , wait and try the above again. if that does not work wait a little bit, and before cranking do the on off dance.