surging idle @ start up
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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surging idle @ start up
hello, i've been reading your forum for a couple of months now and have been impressed with the tech knowledge on here.
i've got a 97 f-350 with 250,000km's, runs really well apart from a starting problem that began about a week and a half ago.
when i turn the key it fires for a second,then nothin for a split second, then fires for a second and then idles normally. the abrupt firing has gone on for as long as four cycles.
otherwise truck runs fine, idle could be a little smother but not too bad in my opinion.
thanx
jay
i've got a 97 f-350 with 250,000km's, runs really well apart from a starting problem that began about a week and a half ago.
when i turn the key it fires for a second,then nothin for a split second, then fires for a second and then idles normally. the abrupt firing has gone on for as long as four cycles.
otherwise truck runs fine, idle could be a little smother but not too bad in my opinion.
thanx
jay
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Junior User
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yep, fort st. john, bc. its about -20c right now, but has been down to -40c with no such issues. i am using 10w-40
i imagine you know how abrupt a diesel is on its first fire...well it does this for two or three times in a row before it settles at an idle.
something is wrong here and i imagine its not doing the engine any good
so is there a fix for these cold weather romps you speak of?
i imagine you know how abrupt a diesel is on its first fire...well it does this for two or three times in a row before it settles at an idle.
something is wrong here and i imagine its not doing the engine any good
so is there a fix for these cold weather romps you speak of?
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yep, using a block heater, listen to it kick in everytime. and the 'wait to start' light goes off after about 2 seconds, up until about -25c then it stays on a bit longer. but always runs smooth right away at an idle.
maybe it is a bad batch of fuel with not enough anti-gel, but it has done it a week ago when it was just below zero, so i'm thinking it is something else.
maybe it is a bad batch of fuel with not enough anti-gel, but it has done it a week ago when it was just below zero, so i'm thinking it is something else.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
When using the block heater it should be pretty smooth on start-up. 2 seconds WTS lite may mean a couple GP's are out.
Get some antigel in the fuel. Diesel 911 is the best for fuel that's already gelled.
How old it the oil.? Fresh oil makes a big difference. You might want to use 5W30 or 40 in the winter. Synthetic is best but $$$.
Get some antigel in the fuel. Diesel 911 is the best for fuel that's already gelled.
How old it the oil.? Fresh oil makes a big difference. You might want to use 5W30 or 40 in the winter. Synthetic is best but $$$.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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what is the going price for a block heater? is there any aftermarket ones? my 05 sd psd did not come with one and it is starting slow on these 8 degree mornings
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
ford will be the best place to get a heater.
for the cold weather romps thinner oil is the cure. like cuda jim said synthetic 5w40 would be the best but its expensive. I have used rotella 10W30 here in michigan for 3 years but have now switched to 5w40 rotella synthetic last week.
I would change the oil to 5w40 or 10w30 and then see what happens. its pretty normal for cold weather romps to happen. more annoying than anything.
for the cold weather romps thinner oil is the cure. like cuda jim said synthetic 5w40 would be the best but its expensive. I have used rotella 10W30 here in michigan for 3 years but have now switched to 5w40 rotella synthetic last week.
I would change the oil to 5w40 or 10w30 and then see what happens. its pretty normal for cold weather romps to happen. more annoying than anything.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
Originally Posted by zed326
what is the going price for a block heater? is there any aftermarket ones? my 05 sd psd did not come with one and it is starting slow on these 8 degree mornings
You may get a better response in the forum for that year truck but you'll get plenty of help here too.
These guys may have more specific info:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...play.php?f=107
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by durtyburd
yep, using a block heater, listen to it kick in everytime. and the 'wait to start' light goes off after about 2 seconds, up until about -25c then it stays on a bit longer. but always runs smooth right away at an idle.
Forgive if I'm not reading it right.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Hey Cuda_jim I see you are now over 1000 posts! did you notice the 30 extra horse power that gives your truck?
Also so I am not completely off topic. brian I think you are correct from reading the post he may be talking about glow plugs rather than block heater. We'll see what he has to say.
Also so I am not completely off topic. brian I think you are correct from reading the post he may be talking about glow plugs rather than block heater. We'll see what he has to say.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
Tim, I hit 1k and ran out to my truck. Went for a ride and whoooho! I might have got an extr 50hp. 
Rubberduck was right. I just read in the NBS forum that when you reach 1K posts you're supposed to tell a joke, now ain't that silly. Way off topic.
Rubberduck was right. I just read in the NBS forum that when you reach 1K posts you're supposed to tell a joke, now ain't that silly. Way off topic.
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Originally Posted by Brians97F250Crew
Just so I'm not missing something. You say you're using a block heater and you listen to it kick in everytime? If I'm reading your post right that's your glow plugs not the block heater. A block heater plugs into your house AC power.
Forgive if I'm not reading it right.
Forgive if I'm not reading it right.
and its actually about 1 sec for the 'WTS' light to come off, not 2 sec if that makes any difference
oil is about 5.5 months old and is synthetic
Elder User
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Hmmm mine doesn't make any noise that I've ever heard. Have you actually checked to make sure that when the GPR turns on you're getting voltage to the GP's? An easy check is after you stark the truck up look at the volt meter it should be way down on the gauge to the left then after a minute or so you'll see it kick off and the needle return to the center of the gauge
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