'89 diesel drivability problems
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'89 diesel drivability problems
My father-in-laws '89 pickup with diesel is causing him grief. It is hard to start, and needs to be plugged if ambient temp goes below 60F or so. It produces great clouds of white smoke when it does start, and has no power. When under a load, the dash/gauge/light says it's overheating, but yet gives no indication of being overly hot when inspecting under the hood. He has had a new thermostat and viscous fan installed, but didn't change the 'the dash says it's overheating' problem.
The hard starting and lack of power are the real problems. Any thoughts? I'm mechanically competent and knowledgeable on S.I. engines, but diesels are unfamiliar territory for me.
Mopartom
The hard starting and lack of power are the real problems. Any thoughts? I'm mechanically competent and knowledgeable on S.I. engines, but diesels are unfamiliar territory for me.
Mopartom
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From: Vancouver, WA
The only info I can offer you is on the starting problem. I would definately check out th golw plugs. When mine were out on my '88 I had the same smoke problem. You can do a search on glow plugs and should be able to find some useful threads. If you don't, let me know and I'll give you the links to the threads I used when I had my problems. Good Luck! 
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From what I've seen, you can test them individually with a continuity light and a 12V source - light on means they're fine. Replace with Motorcraft brand only.
The other thing that guys do is rig up a manual glow plug button, rather than through the IGN switch.
Mopartom
The other thing that guys do is rig up a manual glow plug button, rather than through the IGN switch.
Mopartom
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I would agree on the glow plug problem. It seems to start when it is plugged in, which indicates fuel flow and ignition switch is working. The glow plug problem could be, more than one glow plug or all of them ... could also be the glow plug controller ... cold also be the temp sensor for the glow plug system. Power problem, when was the last time the fuel and air filter was changed? You also may want to verify that the fuel pedal is actually opening the throttle all the way ... do this with the engine off and have dad work the pedal inside and then try to move the throttle further after fully depressed pedal condition. I had the throttle cable go bad internally and I assumed (bad word) the throttle was moving all the way to full open. Hope this helps.
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=276151
Posted over there too.
Let us know what you find.
Posted over there too.
Let us know what you find.
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Well, the hard-starting issue was resolved on the weekend. One battery was found to be dead earlier in the week, so two new batteries were put in before the weekend. Then on Saturday the starter began to die, and by Sunday it was fully dead. The new starter went in late Monday, and it now cranks over and starts after only about 1 second - beautiful. He can now take it for a test run to see if it still lacks power while towing. I told him about the instrument panel gauge problem that can occur with these trucks so he's no longer worried about the false overheating signal. We will put in a separate temp. gauge at some point.
The glow plugs will be checked next, before winter sets in.
Thanks again for the help everyone, it's nice to have some backup when entering new territory.
Moparman
The glow plugs will be checked next, before winter sets in.
Thanks again for the help everyone, it's nice to have some backup when entering new territory.
Moparman
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