Slow crank, Please help
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Slow crank, Please help
Have a '01 Excursion w/ 7.3 PSD. Engine cranks VERY slow when trying to start. As I am cranking, it gradually speeds up to what sounds like a normal cranking speed, then when it finally fires, shoots out a HUGE cloud of smoke. Has brand new Napa batteries, Napa lifetime starter, and Napa lifetime alternator. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem may be? I really want to see my hot wife driving the Big Red Ex again!!
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Outside temp here in Wyoming hasn't been above 30 since this problem started, but the colder it is, the harder it is to start, especially when it's down to -25 or so. However, it does not seem to matter if the engine is cold, or if it is up to normal operating temp. The smoke is black. I had a friend tell me he thinks it could be a leaky injector leaking fuel into a cylinder while the engine is off, and thats why it's shooting smoke when starting, and could be leaking enough fuel to cause a "hydrolock" type situation in that one cylinder, making it hard to turn over at first until the piston pumps the excess fuel out the exhuast valve, and then it starts cranking faster as the fuel is pumped out. Make sense? I am trying to figure this out as good as I can before I get home. I drive a truck over the road, and have a limited amount of time at home, so diagnosis time cuts into actual repair time, and I want to get it fixed for my wife while I am at the house this weekend. Thanks for all the help.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Not sure if this helps but I had a 7.3 truck that was hard to start slow cranking started out of now where.Put 2 batteries then a starter still same problem.Then I took it to a shop and they replaced 3 of the glow plugs and the problem was solved.I know to me that made no sense,but it worked.Just my experience.Also the harness to the glow plugs.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 145
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From: Princeton NJ
Slow cranking with a new starter and batteries the first thing I would look at is all of the High Current Connections. Start at the batteries clean and tighten them, open the ground side of the batteries and check the starter/battery connection. I will assume the engine ground straps were not touched so they may be OK.
I have had this problem with several GM type trucks and it is usually the starter/battery connection but check all connections.
Your problem sounds like a high resistance caused by a bad connection.
The black smoke is most likely fuel dispenced to the cylinders before there is enough heat, glow plugs or compression, to fire off.
I have had this problem with several GM type trucks and it is usually the starter/battery connection but check all connections.
Your problem sounds like a high resistance caused by a bad connection.
The black smoke is most likely fuel dispenced to the cylinders before there is enough heat, glow plugs or compression, to fire off.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 145
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From: Princeton NJ
Originally Posted by kawajockie
2nd vote for glow plugs.
I got the OASIS report when I got my EX. This is what it showed.
Same issue, Ford replaced the batteries, 2 glowplugs, and the starter harness
I got the OASIS report when I got my EX. This is what it showed.
Same issue, Ford replaced the batteries, 2 glowplugs, and the starter harness
