Ok finaly figured out that all 8 of my glow plugs are bad I have the new gp system in a 89 7.3 I was told these are common to go bad so should I replace it back or substitute to somthing better so it wont happen right away again.Also how critical are the glow plugs to that engine cause after about 30 minuts after being shut down it takes 6 or7 seconds to start so is this all contributed to gps?
Thanks so much, I thought for a long time they were good and have been trying to fix my cold start problem this should help a lot.

 

Use motorcraft beru's and replace them your controller is a very reliable system (better than the old style) in my opinion, if working properly.
If your compression and fuel system is in good shape, with proper working glow plugs it should start on first revolution.
The batteries, cables and starter also comes into play with quick starts.

I have noticed that we (myself included) hate to spend money and change parts that are still working, What I mean is I tend to run my ip and injectors longer (starter too) than optimum, mainly as they wear slowly and you think it is still running perfectly long after it is not perfect anymore. The loss of power, mileage,and real quick starts comes at such a slow pace I tend to put off replacing parts untill it becomes very noticable,and I'm probably not alone here.
I truly think if I would just go thruogh my fuel system on a schedule, say at 100,000 miles instead of waiting untill there is a noticable lack of performance that I would be very happy wiyh my mileage and performance.( not that I have many gripes now)

 

Thanks that sound good so I should just replace the gps than?
Well I checked the compression today it tested 385 to 400 I have a new IP a new lift pump new injectors and line kit new fuel f and good batteries not sure about the starter though.
Thanks

 

I couldn't have said it better or agree more. I'm biting the bullet and giving the old girl a new IP pump and injectors. Had the pump rebuilt at around 100K and have never replaced the injectors. I've noticed a loss in MPG and figure it's better to do the work now or bleed the money to the oil cartels slowly. Have what I need to repair the GP harness and the new GP's arrived today so I'll wait and go through all of it at once. But hey, on the positive side how many vehicle owners can so casually discuss 100K maintenance?

 

Once the engines warm it should it restart right up until it gets cold again. Thirty minutes seems kinda short unless the temps are extremely cold. Mine will start right up some hours later (once it's been warmed up). Could be the next issue with these, air intrusion.

 

Are you letting the glow plugs cycle after it has been shut down or hitting the starter while the gp's are on.

 

Dev, I had to look just now at where you are.

I am going to say starter is getting weak or battery cables or batteries.

Glow plugs save the starter.
Yes if you sit there and crank a cold engine for 15 or 20 seconds with no glow plugs it will probably start at your location in Missouri.
But with a good working glow plug system if everything else is up to snuff, you cranking time should be 2 seconds.

That extra 13 to 18 seconds of cranking get the starter hot, which does reduce the life considerably.
What happens is the starters slow down over such a long time, you don't really realize how slow it is cranking until you install a new one.

About 500 degrees to autoignite diesel fuel.
That gives you one compression stroke to go from ambient air temp to 500 degrees in a cold engine block for the engine to fire.

Getting that 500 degrees requires good compression and a fast compression stroke.

Glow plugs just provide some heat to make it easier to reach 500 degrees.

Battery cables corrode internally, especially at the passenger side positive terminal.
If the cable insulation next to the clamp looks like it had been hot, that is probably also contributing to you start problems and reducing starter life.

30 minutes after shut down, if the engine was at operating temp when you shut it off unless the temps are way below zero there would be plenty of heat left in the engine for it to fire right off.

 

Thanks Dave and everone I got the gps coming and will be looking into the slow cranking I agree a lot I'll let you know how it all works.

 

Hey I put those new glow plugs in and they helped a lot but not enough so today I put a new starter in and wow it's a whole new truck though I just got to start it while it was completly cold for the first time and it still took about 4 seconds to fire is that ok?where would you prefer the injectore pump to be timed at advanced or what cause I do not have it lined up right now that may be a small contribution to a little bit of a long start but it sure beats a minut of cranking.Thanks

 

4 seconds crank time on a cold engine to fire sounds about rite.

 

Thanks thats good to know cause its a little longer than my Dads powerstroke and I wasn't sure if it needed adjustment or not.

 

what year is the powerstroke? Kind of hard to compare starting ability from one of the older 7.3's to the new(er) strokes. Although mine started faster than a guy at the autopart store the other day. hahaha.

 

well my Dads powerstorke is an 03 I know it's hard to compare but when my 89 is warmed up it starts about three times faster than Dads powerstroke just as soon as you hit that starter it's already running.