last two monings '02 7.3 w/125Kmiles has a problem starting. engine wants to start - but almost immediately just spins on the starter. White smoke from the exhaust. 1st morning I thought to drain the fuel filter and it then immediately started and ran fine thru the day w/ numerous starts. 2nd morning - same start problem. same routine w/ fule filter. started. I then removed cap on fuel filter, inspected, replaced same filter and it started. ??????????

 

have you checked out your glow plug system?

 

mine smokes alot (white) too when first starting. But starts fine and mostly does it in cold weather. Dont know why

 

I'll bet your glow plug relay needs replacing.
Nut

 

you could be having a fuel pump issue. check and see if your fuel is "bubbly" when you switch the truck on by looking in your filter housing with the filter out.

 

Whoa, better give some better instructions than that. If you look in the fuel bowl with the filter out, top off, and turn the key on you're going to have a real mess. I'm sure that is not what you meant but someone might take it that way and try it.

 

um yeah that what i meant. it wont make a mess unless you let it over flow. it would not be much pressure just flow. drain the fuel out of the bowl by the drain valve and watch thefuel come up in the bowl. let it come past the inlet before making judgement

 

No, I mean you probably wanted to tell him to have someone help that can turn the key on and off at command instead running back and forth in which case he may end up with a mess from not getting back in time before it overflows. I think between us now he should get the idea.