Problems with Cold Starting
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Problems with Cold Starting
Hi all, New to Diesels and have a huge learning curve. I recently purchased an '86 F-250 4x4 with 6.9L and C6 auto trans. with only 93K Original Miles - (Old Family Friend) Needless to say the lack of running of this truck has created quite a few problems. I have recently replaced the Fuel Injector pump and all eight injectors. Tested the Compression and Glow plugs and system and all was great. After 5 days of excellent running I ran the truck to work and ever since it absolutely will not start cold. Tested the Glow plugs and found the whole driver side bank bad - Replaced all eight glow plugs with new Motorcraft glowplugs - Still wont start cold. It seems that when the glow plug light, lights up before starting, it cycles for over 30 seconds before the light goes out. Is this an excessive amount of warming time for glow plugs? What do I need to test to figure this cold start problem. Once it gets running it runs great and starts great until all the heat goes out of the engine. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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From: Prince George, B.C.
Did you test for power to the drivers side bank, I think all the wires to each individual plug is a fusible link, could be air in the system as well but i'd go through the entires glow system.
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I don't know the first thing about truck electrical systems, so I do not know what I should be looking for. 12V to the Glow plug spade, at each spade? Is this when the truck ignition is turned on and glow plugs are heating up? Like I said I have a huge learning curve with this truck.
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
I do believe the glow plug relay is behind the air cleaner in the rear valley. it has a plastic (with vent slots) cap over it. Squeeze it together and lift it off. Check to see if there are any wires broken off or burned off. Should be one hot all the time, feed with a solenoid on it to control it. The smaller wires feed the glow plugs. If half of it is out, that is the hard start problem. Til you get it repaired, try plugging in the block heater for a while before cranking. Dont crank long on the starter, they are very sensitive to overload heat.
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I have this same problem with my 85'. I've replaced the glowplugs and rewired the system with a manual switch. All the plugs are heating but I still have problems with cold starts. My truck has 210,000 on it. I'm wondering if new injectors will help?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: West of Houston
I have the same thing also on my 91 7.3
I was wondering if the fuel was bleeding back to the tank. It took 3 or 4 tries this am and it was only in the 70'sF
I was wondering if the fuel was bleeding back to the tank. It took 3 or 4 tries this am and it was only in the 70'sF
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Talked to a friend on the phone this afternoon and he sugested a new pump. He said if there is not enough pressure the fuel will not spray as a mist from the injectors. Has anyone priced a pump lately? BIG $.
Next time its the 300-six!
Next time its the 300-six!
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From: Oceanside, Ca
Two things...
First, when your plugs cycled for 30 secs, yes, that was entirely too long of a cycle. Fords are supposed to cycle in about 10 seconds.
Second, with your truck, you should have the old vacuum style fuel pump, looks like a diaphragm on the lower passenger side of the engine, towards the front of the block. I don't know about how much they cost, but you should be able to buy one at a junkyard with a limited warranty, so if it is bad, just take it back. That might save you some money. It's also a gamble though, but if you're trying to just get it up and running fairly cheap, I'd say try that, and you won't have spent a ton of money if it wasn't the problem.
First, when your plugs cycled for 30 secs, yes, that was entirely too long of a cycle. Fords are supposed to cycle in about 10 seconds.
Second, with your truck, you should have the old vacuum style fuel pump, looks like a diaphragm on the lower passenger side of the engine, towards the front of the block. I don't know about how much they cost, but you should be able to buy one at a junkyard with a limited warranty, so if it is bad, just take it back. That might save you some money. It's also a gamble though, but if you're trying to just get it up and running fairly cheap, I'd say try that, and you won't have spent a ton of money if it wasn't the problem.
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
When the injectors were replaced, did you replace the o rings on the injectors? They are a common problem with the low sulfur fuel. You also may have the lift pump (located on the block like a gas engine) bleeding back or leaking out the weep hole. Look the system over close to make sure there arent hoses rubbed thru. When it finally does start, is there lots of white smoke? Smells like unburnt fuel. And does it run rough for a while, like each cylinder firing.
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I checked the Spades to each of my glow plugs on the bank that was bad and each spade is supplying 12 Volts. When I do plug the block heater in it starts, but barely. When it does start up there is a lot of white smoke smelling like unburnt fuel, but it runs great once she's up and running. I do notice that my Glow Plug light does not cycle like it used to once it starts up. Is this from the Controller or The Relay? Like I said before first Diesel and a long learning curve ahead.
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
Be careful about working the starter too hard .. they dont like to get hot. The block heater should be plugged in for at least an hour and 2 in cold weather. Just because you have 12 volts at the wires for the glow plugs, doesnt mean they are good. Even tho you may have just changed them, the controller may be bad and possibly burned out the plugs. Take the wires off all the plugs and test them. You may also be suffering from fuel bleed back - the fuel system looses its prime. Also, if the batteries are not up to snuff, you may not be cranking fast enough to start. Hope this gets you in the right direction. Dont get frustrated, they arent that hard to figure out. Unlike most women. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: West of Houston
I noticed my start light was staying lit for about two seconds, so I did what I saw in one of the threads and turned the key on and off about 5 times and it fired right up, I mean right up. So I guess I needs a relay / controller. Also noticed the boot thing around the glow plugs crumble when touched. So new glow plugs too. Also notice I get smoke when I pump the gas peddle before starting. This morning I did not pump or touch the gas peddle at all. Thanks for all the good advise.
Hope this helps Barndog.
Hope this helps Barndog.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: newfoundland canada
rexor7.If it started like you said,by cycling the key then you have a couple of glow plugs(gp) gone.Re-test the glow plugs by using a test light,clamp the end to the pos batt post,pull wire off gp,and touch the light to the top of the gp where you removed the wire from..If the light comes on,the gp is good.Once you have all the gp's tested and replaced you should be good to go.When cold starting,wait for the light to go off,hold throtle pedal 1/2 way down,and crank.It should fire right up.Please use only motorcraft/beru gp's,it will save you much trouble.
Last edited by pnose; Sep 21, 2004 at 08:21 AM.
Posting Guru
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From: Prince George, B.C.
Pedal Half way to the flor when outside temp is above I think 10 degrees F, all the way to the floor when below that temp. At least thats what the 'ol '88 says on the visor, the temps could be a bit off though.