Cold Starting and Cold Driver
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
Cold Starting and Cold Driver
Hey Folks,
Im having some COLD start problem (cold, like its f--ing winter cold and she won't start). If temp is above 50*F she starts fine. I think im having glow plug issues. I never had this much trouble with my 6.9 IDI. Is this normal to be hard to start below 50* ? I don't plug the block in but that only warm the oil right? Nothing to do with combustion...
Secondly, as we all probably know it takes forever and a day for any diesel to warm up and provide for the driver/passengers. Has anyone heard of a coolant heater that keep the engine coolant warm and or circulating so when you get in its at least semi-warm????
Thanks.
p.s. the truck is a 96 - 7.3 powerstroke. Glowplugs have apparently been replaced about 20,000 miles ago but that probably means nothing since i couldn't tell you who did it or what crappy glow plugs they might have put in. Any suggestions on brands for new plugs if you think I need them?
Im having some COLD start problem (cold, like its f--ing winter cold and she won't start). If temp is above 50*F she starts fine. I think im having glow plug issues. I never had this much trouble with my 6.9 IDI. Is this normal to be hard to start below 50* ? I don't plug the block in but that only warm the oil right? Nothing to do with combustion...
Secondly, as we all probably know it takes forever and a day for any diesel to warm up and provide for the driver/passengers. Has anyone heard of a coolant heater that keep the engine coolant warm and or circulating so when you get in its at least semi-warm????
Thanks.
p.s. the truck is a 96 - 7.3 powerstroke. Glowplugs have apparently been replaced about 20,000 miles ago but that probably means nothing since i couldn't tell you who did it or what crappy glow plugs they might have put in. Any suggestions on brands for new plugs if you think I need them?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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With the key on,,Check the voltage across the 2 large posts on the glow plug relay.. they should both be the same voltage , or close...
You should already have a block heater ....
You should already have a block heater ....
Last edited by Action4478; Dec 5, 2007 at 11:51 AM.
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From: Kearney, Nebr
Plugging the truck in while give you semi warm air for defrosting. It does warm the block and enables for easier starting in colder temps.
First I'd check your GPR. They seem to be a common problem and easy to diagnose before you start taking off the VC's.
Coolant heaters are available. You could put one on the lower rad hose or something. Just plug that truck in for awhile before you start and she'll be warm.
First I'd check your GPR. They seem to be a common problem and easy to diagnose before you start taking off the VC's.
Coolant heaters are available. You could put one on the lower rad hose or something. Just plug that truck in for awhile before you start and she'll be warm.
Hotshot
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Originally Posted by FARM69
Action.. you have way too much time on your hands.. lol
When I 'm not sitting around watching paint dry...The reason I have saved all of this stuff, is so I can type less & save time ,actually
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OLDS,
True the heater warms up the oil. YOur injectors will not fire without oil pressure. Since the oil is heated it is thinner and gets to the injectors quicker.
The obvious thing is either batteries, cables or starter. My batteries were good so I changed the starter. It has dropped in the 30's a few times since and it fired right up. Without plugging it in.
True the heater warms up the oil. YOur injectors will not fire without oil pressure. Since the oil is heated it is thinner and gets to the injectors quicker.
The obvious thing is either batteries, cables or starter. My batteries were good so I changed the starter. It has dropped in the 30's a few times since and it fired right up. Without plugging it in.
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
Originally Posted by dinikin
Olds,
How long do you wait when the Wait to start light comes ON?
Try cycling GPR twice for about 2-3 min total.
also try adding white bottle of Diesel Kleen to your tanks.
How long do you wait when the Wait to start light comes ON?
Try cycling GPR twice for about 2-3 min total.
also try adding white bottle of Diesel Kleen to your tanks.
Anyone here manually control their glow plugs? When i had my IDI, a lot of the guys there used to manually run them for 10-12 seconds and said their truck would fire right up.
Thanks all for the input.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Old,
Wait to Start ligh is independednt of the actual time GP need to be ON.
That light goes out much sooner.
If the temperature is below freezing you need to wait 120 seconds. Please try that.
I will finally post that graph temp vs time. when I get a chance.
Wait to Start ligh is independednt of the actual time GP need to be ON.
That light goes out much sooner.
If the temperature is below freezing you need to wait 120 seconds. Please try that.
I will finally post that graph temp vs time. when I get a chance.
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OKAY, Ignore me.LOL
Starter or starting systems (cables, terminals, battery) Diesels have to turn over fast to start.
Try this, if you have one, next time its cold hook up your battery charger and put it on boost. I bet it fires right up.
STARTER
Starter or starting systems (cables, terminals, battery) Diesels have to turn over fast to start.
Try this, if you have one, next time its cold hook up your battery charger and put it on boost. I bet it fires right up.
STARTER
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Junior User
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
Originally Posted by dinikin
Old,
Wait to Start ligh is independednt of the actual time GP need to be ON.
That light goes out much sooner.
If the temperature is below freezing you need to wait 120 seconds. Please try that.
I will finally post that graph temp vs time. when I get a chance.
Wait to Start ligh is independednt of the actual time GP need to be ON.
That light goes out much sooner.
If the temperature is below freezing you need to wait 120 seconds. Please try that.
I will finally post that graph temp vs time. when I get a chance.
you can run the glow plugs for 120 seconds without burning them out?????? are you saying that from the factory the glow plugs don't stay on long enough or the wait to start light goes out but the glow plugs continue glowing?
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OK here is the link from Ford but has crappy quality, so if you find the same page you will be able to read better. But yes maximun is 120 second.
Figure 11 or 13
https://www.ford-trucks.com.com/faq/9497faq/tsb/tsb/97-02-15.php3
Figure 11 or 13
https://www.ford-trucks.com.com/faq/9497faq/tsb/tsb/97-02-15.php3
Originally Posted by Olds_442
you can run the glow plugs for 120 seconds without burning them out?????? You are not running anything. Computer shuts relay off after deternined time.Provided good working system
are you saying that from the factory the glow plugs don't stay on long enough NO
or the wait to start light goes out but the glow plugs continue glowing? YES, If it is cold outside
are you saying that from the factory the glow plugs don't stay on long enough NO
or the wait to start light goes out but the glow plugs continue glowing? YES, If it is cold outside
Last edited by dinikin; Dec 5, 2007 at 04:07 PM.
