Last night when I started the truck to leave work it puffed white smoke and then run just fine (approx 35-40 degrees all day).

This morning (27 degrees) I glowed the plugs as normal but is would not fire. After three or four more attemps of turning the ignition all the way off and then glowing the plugs again it started (puffing white smoke). It acted like it was having trouble getting fuel. After that everything was normal.

I had this same problem about eight months ago, took it to the dealer. They tested the relays and glow plugs but could never recreate the problem. After I got it back from the dealer last time all I did was replace the fuel filter...no problems since.

This past weekend I replaced the fuel filter so surely thats ok.

Any help would be appreciated

 

Glow plugs! If you are getting the puff of smoke out the tailpipe while cranking then you are getting fuel. Just failure to ignite. And on a cold morning with a diesel engine that is in good mechanical condition, 100% it is a failed glow plug system.
On the side, make sure that your batteries are good, not just passible, but GOOD.

 

Sounds like an intermittent problem with the glow plug relay sticking and not opening. I have seen this on a few trucks before.

 

Well, funny you should mention this one. I have a 2000 PSD and started having this same problem (exactly) about 3 weeks ago when it was 40 degrees or below. I knew it was something to do with the glow plugs (either the relay or several bad plugs or even the harness). I called the dealer, because it is still under warranty, and made an appoitment after telling them what I thought I had as a problem. I took the truck in and the guy at the appointment desk (who is obviously not much of an expert on diesels) told me that "since the truck is already warmed up, we won't be able to check it out. You will have to leave it over night and let us check it after it cools off". I knew that if they were simply to conduct some resistance checks on the harness and plugs they could probably figure out what is going on regardless of how warm the truck was. It took me some time but, I finally convinced the guy to take it into the shop and check it out while I was there. They found that the harness and 4 of the glow plugs had high resistance and replaced them. Now I am back on the road and everything is fine. Good luck!


-Glenn

 

After diagnosing the problem on my own truck, I just bought a new glow plug relay today. NAPA wanted $78 for one, and the International dealer was $50. Did the same thing you are describing, white smoke, etc. Put my multimeter on the relay, it was getting power to the coil, but not passing through it. I just put a booster cable from battery positive to the glow plug circuit to heat them, and it started right up.

 

I guess anything is possible but I only have 27k miles on the truck. I wouldn't think the glow plugs or relay would be bad. I have had it a little over two years.

Can anyone tell me how to use a meter and test the relay....I know how to use a meter ists the relay part I don't know. Not even sure where it is!

 

<H4>Glow plugs and relay should be checked, but don't forget to check also the air heater element and its relay as a possible source:

My 2001 7.3 PSD has an intake air heater starting aid system that improves cold weather starting and reduces white smoke during cold weather starting. The intake air heater starting aid system consists of the following:

• engine oil temperature (EOT) sensor
• intake air heater relay switch
• intake air heater element
• intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
• powertrain control module (PCM)
• starter switch

Intake air heater starting aid system operation.

• The system is activated by the PCM when the ambient air temperature is below 0°C (32°F), the engine oil temperature is below 55°C (131°F) and the battery voltage is above 11.7 volts.
• The intake air heater will stay on for 30 minutes as long as the engine is idling and the above conditions are met.
• The intake air heating system will only activate once per "key on event". If the heater is activated and the vehicle is driven, the heater will not activate if the vehicle is taken back to idle.
• The intake air is heated by using a heating element mounted into the compressor manifold.
• The intake air heater relay switch, located next to the glow plug relay switch, supplies power to the intake air heater element.

</H4>

 

definetly check the batteries are in full charge.

if she does not crank fast enough to create good compression to start in the cold, she won't start

mine did the same thing a few weeks ago.

she had a bad connection in the passenger side battery.
cleaned it and cranks much faster now.

 

[QUOTE=TaosCowboy]I guess anything is possible but I only have 27k miles on the truck. I wouldn't think the glow plugs or relay would be bad. I have had it a little over two years.

Don't think Ford is to proud of those relays. My 99 is on it's fourth one and the first one was at about 10K miles. I paid Ford's price for the the first one I replaced after the warranty ran out and they have given me two more free ones since then.

 

I had this exact problem on my 97 F250 HD. After a start, it was okay for about 8-10 hours. Then hard start and white smoke. It would be okay if I plugged in the block heater, even on mild days.

Problem was a plug on the front of the passenger side head. It had a rubber seal that had given way and it was sucking air into the oil chamber. Couldn't see it or get to it without taking a lot of stuff off. Finally detected it when it became bad enough to start seeping oil onto the ground.

Plug was about $27. Dealer labor to install was $250. Problem went away. This may not be the same on yours, but I feel confident that you're getting air into the oil chambers of the heads somewhere.