Hard starting diesel
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 84
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From: Virginia
Hard starting diesel
I am looking at a 86 F-350. The owner says that he has to use ether to start the truck after it has set for a couple of days. After running it starts right up even after sitting overnight. It seems to run fine. Any ideas what could be wrong?
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Troy MT
test the plugs to see if they are working. my ford used to start like that. if you have a pushbutton to fire the plugs and are running 12V get some 6.5L chevy plugs for it. they are 12V cheaper than ford 6V.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 141
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Glow plugs would my bet.My old 85 had the same trouble, I used WD-40 to fire it off back then, that was yrs ago.Lottsa good info on glowplugs here if you search.That old truck went 445k before I got rid of it, but it was pain to pop the hood to get it to fire off.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
On my old 85, I had to use wd-40 to fire it off in the winter here in S.Tx when the temps got down into the 40's or so.In the summer it fire off with out help if it just sat overnight, but would turn over more than it should have to.Back then I went to several shops to have the GP fixed, had the push button, it would work good for awhile with new GP.Then back to the same old,let it sit for a couple -3 days. If the rest of the truck looks good and sounds good,money is right..I'd go for it. The old 6.9's did have a head gasket issue from what I remember, I had to have mine replaced.Being that the truck is still up running, my guess is that its been done or not effected.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
Sitting overnight is more than enough for the engine to cool off all the way. Sitting overnight or sitting for several days will not affect the glow plugs such that it would make a difference in cold starting performance.
The easy way to confirm this is to use the block heater after 3 days and see if it starts.
This is more likely an air intrusion/fuel drain back issue with the fuel system. The longer the truck sits, the more air there is in the lines when you try to start it.
The easy way to confirm this is to use the block heater after 3 days and see if it starts.
This is more likely an air intrusion/fuel drain back issue with the fuel system. The longer the truck sits, the more air there is in the lines when you try to start it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,409
Likes: 1
From: back in SE Iowa
my money is on air intrusion.glowplugs will not just act up after a few days of not being used.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Eaton, CO
Your return lines are leaking. Perhaps you opened your hood and sneezed at them which caused the leak. Or maybe you looked at them wrong.
Buy a return line kit on e-bay and viton o-rings from McMaster-Carr. The viton o-rings you need are #111. Buy a pack of 50. Use the o-rings from McMaster-Carr and not the ones in the kit and save yourself an o-ring swap in a month or so. When you get your aftermarket kit, take a really good look at the inside of the caps. If there are sloppy grooves in them, they'll leak. If they're smooth and have the one groove/ridge for the top o-ring, they should be good. I've done o-ring swaps twice now (first ones were junk w/ the kit). Use Vaseline and not oil to lube your o-rings and injectors. You'll have a better grip and your o-rings won't shoot out of your fingers like bottle rockets when trying to install them. The first time I used motor oil and it took forever to get them on the injectors.
Buy a return line kit on e-bay and viton o-rings from McMaster-Carr. The viton o-rings you need are #111. Buy a pack of 50. Use the o-rings from McMaster-Carr and not the ones in the kit and save yourself an o-ring swap in a month or so. When you get your aftermarket kit, take a really good look at the inside of the caps. If there are sloppy grooves in them, they'll leak. If they're smooth and have the one groove/ridge for the top o-ring, they should be good. I've done o-ring swaps twice now (first ones were junk w/ the kit). Use Vaseline and not oil to lube your o-rings and injectors. You'll have a better grip and your o-rings won't shoot out of your fingers like bottle rockets when trying to install them. The first time I used motor oil and it took forever to get them on the injectors.
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