6.9 no start
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 54
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6.9 no start
Hello everyone. Newbie here. I just bought an 86 F350 6.9. It hasn't ran in a while...anywhere from 6 months to three years. I was just asking for some suggestions on anything additional I should do. I am going to change the fuel filter and oil and filter. Factory water separator has been bypassed, so there is no separator. The glow plugs are set up with a toggle switch...will change to a push button asap. I know I need to check them because I suspect they are bad. The block heater does work though. Will this truck start without glowplugs if the block is warm? I need to drain the fuel but I do not know if there is a drain in the tank. If not, does anyone know how? Also, the guy I bought it from had put two new batteries in it to try to get it started. They are too small for this engine I think. They are a 600cca and a 650cca. That is the only thing the previous owner did to it. He cranked and it wouldn't fire so he gave up. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
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You can get Racor water separator/fuel filters for cheap on E-bay as well as Ford factory repair manuals. Biggest improvement on my neglected 86 F350 6.9IDI was putting new fuel return seals and bottom injector seals in it. The seals stopped fuel leakage and the injectors were coated in crud and soot.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: France
I dont think it will start without gp's,best thing to do is to change them.DO NOT use ether unless you want to blow the engine!Get the biggest batteries you can find,the engine has to crank real fast to get it started cold.Good idea on the push-button,I have one on mine and it works great.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
If the block heater is working and has been on for about 3 hours it should start unless it is real cold where you are.
Only use Motorcraft/Beru glow plugs, ZD1A for the 86 glow plug system.
No drain on the tanks unless it has been added by someone. Siphon out all you can the remove and dump the rest if you want to drain them completely.
Batteries need to be at leaat 850 CCA, bigger is better.
The colder your local climate is the bigger the batteries need to be.
Only use Motorcraft/Beru glow plugs, ZD1A for the 86 glow plug system.
No drain on the tanks unless it has been added by someone. Siphon out all you can the remove and dump the rest if you want to drain them completely.
Batteries need to be at leaat 850 CCA, bigger is better.
The colder your local climate is the bigger the batteries need to be.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: France
Ether can blow the engine,it will ignite before the pistons are halfway up the cylinders,imagine what can happen!I have a 86 and I used to prime mine by just cranking it ( big marine batteries), I did change the mechanical lift pump with an electric FACET pump,in this case it will auto-prime whan the key is turned to the on position (without cranking the engine).
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Petey F250, the problem with ether and IDI diesel motors is the glow plugs.
When the ether hits the cylinder and the glow plugs are hot it starts to burn instantly.
But the ether is drawn into the cylinder on the intake stroke while the piston is on it's way down to BDC and the intake valve is still open.
If the glow plugs are disabled, ether works fine.
Loosen the steel injector lines at the injectors carefully and then crank the engine till you get fuel. When you get fuel tighten the lines again and it should start.
While you are doing this crank the engine for 15 seconds, then stop and let the starter cool off for a couple of minutes before cranking it again.
The starter motors will overheat and die if you do not let it rest.
They are also a bit expensive.
When the ether hits the cylinder and the glow plugs are hot it starts to burn instantly.
But the ether is drawn into the cylinder on the intake stroke while the piston is on it's way down to BDC and the intake valve is still open.
If the glow plugs are disabled, ether works fine.
Loosen the steel injector lines at the injectors carefully and then crank the engine till you get fuel. When you get fuel tighten the lines again and it should start.
While you are doing this crank the engine for 15 seconds, then stop and let the starter cool off for a couple of minutes before cranking it again.
The starter motors will overheat and die if you do not let it rest.
They are also a bit expensive.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Sounds like a good idea. . I took off the secondary filter, cranked it and nuthin came out, i think i gotta prime the line going from the separator to the mechanical pump because im sure that's full of air too
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