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On Tuesday I purchased an 88' F250 with a 6.9L. The truck started up and drove fine at the previous owners, and made the 50 mile trip home with no problems. But on Wednesday morning the truck wouldn't start. Since then, I replaced the glow plugs - three of the eight had resistance greater than 2 ohms, and still it won't start.
I am guessing from reading the other posts that I have a air leak. What is the best way to start determining where the leak is?
if your truck has a mechanical fuel pump and you have old any kind of an air leak, it will not start. i use an electric pump and let it run a few seconds before cranking. i know my truck has air leaks, and i plan to fix them all next summer.
All 8 glow plugs replaced? If not they should all be replaced at the same time. Air in the system can be a bitch to figure out....
-if the return lines are original [painted grey] replace them with a return line kit
-on the fuel filter head, there is a shrader valve...push it in while the engine is being cranked to bleed the air out of the system
-do not crank the starter for more than 30 seconds [cool down for 2 to 3 minutes] at a time or it will damage the starter
-if you have a block heater, use it, this will help starting it up
-the # 1 injector has a fuel return line to the fuel filter, this can drain the lines causing air in the system. To fix this, cut and plug each end.
I hope this helps, we all have had starting problems of one kind or another....I have just pointed out a few solutions to what may be your problem, there are many more, the trick is figuring out what the problem is, lol.
One other place to look is: check the fuel lines from the tank to the engine. I had one which was rusting badly under a hold down clip to the frame. Repaired that section and haven't had a problem since.
5 to 7 PSI for pressure checked at the schrader valve with the core removed and all the lines hooked up.
1/3 pint of fuel in 10 seconds of cranking the engine at the same location.
If either of these numbers are low, you either have an air leak in the main fuel line from the tank or a bad lift pump.
Be sure your getting 12 volts to the IP. Your engine may be turning over but the Injection pump isnt letting any fuel into the injectors. With the key in the on position use a test light and see if you have power at the IP. If not use a jumper from the battery make it hot and try starting it. if thats it be sure to remove the jumper or you wont be able to turn the motor off with the ignition key.
I cleaned up the battery terminals and recharged both batteries and the the truck started without any issues. I guess it was a combination of air in the fuel and a low battery voltage.