the old bird starts just fine then shakes like an sob then takes 5-15 seconds of cranking then starts right up ??? maybe air in my lines?

 

Yup, fuel lines leaking air someplace, typically injector returns lines.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

thanks buddy

 

Also check the fuel lines under the truck along the frame. I found under a white hold down clip it had gotten bad and leaked air in.

 

ok mine does the same thing but not all the time ... maybe once a week ? every 2 weeks? ...... same problem air in lines?

 

Yes that is how it will start out. Just once in awhile then gets progressively worse.

 

Normally under the truck will affect it while it is running.
Any where from the lift pump usually hard starts but does not affect running after you finally get her running.
Most common is the return lines.
Also common on the 6.9 is the water seperater on the firewall.
Fairly common on the 7.3's is where the fuel heater connects on top of the fuel filter.

 

thank you everyone i will bleed my lines and sit back and listen as i only have to start her once

 

I think mine is doing the same. My 89 E-350 will start right up, sounds great for about 5 or so sec then shuts off. I turn the key on and off a few times, then crank it for about 3 sec petal up... then push in to the floor... almost starts. I give the starter a quick break. Then do it again and it starts right up, runs ruff for a sec, and then its good to go.
Once warm it starts great.
I also noticed the injectors look a little wet around the base, a friend told me they are leaky, but that could or could not be the problem. Im a pretty damn good motorcycle tech, but im kinda new to the diesel thing.

 

by the way this truck may have 160k 260k or maybe even 360k... idk.. but I drove it 500 miles home with no issues. I have recently replaced, glow plugs, starter, and batteries. No I did not use starting fluid on these new glow plugs. Truck has been running better the more I drive it.
- sorry alot of info

 

If you have fuel around the injectors it needs a return line kit takes about 2 hours to install.

 

or it might just need about 10 bux of o-rings and a half hour of time...15 minutes if only one side. btw, even if only one is leaking, replace all o-rings on teh one side bc if the old ones are disturbed they then have the tendency to begin leaking

 

aaahhhh yes, return lines look easy. I can see how that could be a problem. I heard you can replace those with clear lines so that you can see Air bubbles if they are there...
But O-rings? where are they? I thought the injectors were sealed by copper gaskets? maybe I could just tighten them slightly?
Also this is a VAN.. so nothing takes a half hour, there is a roof over my engine!

 

well not all clear lines.. just the last one leading back to the injector pump.. the cooling line.

 

The O-rings are under the return caps. There are two o-rings on each injector. You can buy just the o-rings for extremely cheap, they are a #111 O-ring. Tractor supply sells them in their hydraulic isle for 2.99 for a bag of eight.