Start problems cold and warm
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Freshman User
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Start problems cold and warm
I have been searching but can't find the answer.
It's a 7,3 IDI i just bought a few weeks ago.
When i start it cold i have to crank it for about 10 seconds, and about 5 seconds when it's warm, i don't think it's air because it starts and runs smooth when it finally starts.
If i just shut it off and restart it at once it takes about 2-3 seconds of cranking.
And there is smoke, mostly white i think...
I havent done a compression test, maybe that's the next thing to do?
All glow plugs work, and they all get power from the original glow plug relay, about 8-9 volts connected
There was a fuel filter from some tractor on it that was letting in air, i replaced it with another filter assembly that was better from another tractor i think and was hoping that it would help, it did some but not all.
If it was bad compression, would it not start easy warm?
I read some about some standard issue with o-rings in the injectors, what's that?
I just put a brand new starter on it because the old one was burnt up.
It's a 7,3 IDI i just bought a few weeks ago.
When i start it cold i have to crank it for about 10 seconds, and about 5 seconds when it's warm, i don't think it's air because it starts and runs smooth when it finally starts.
If i just shut it off and restart it at once it takes about 2-3 seconds of cranking.
And there is smoke, mostly white i think...
I havent done a compression test, maybe that's the next thing to do?
All glow plugs work, and they all get power from the original glow plug relay, about 8-9 volts connected
There was a fuel filter from some tractor on it that was letting in air, i replaced it with another filter assembly that was better from another tractor i think and was hoping that it would help, it did some but not all.
If it was bad compression, would it not start easy warm?
I read some about some standard issue with o-rings in the injectors, what's that?
I just put a brand new starter on it because the old one was burnt up.
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
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In my 92, I replace my glowplugs and injectors about 2 years ago. It started having problems not starting at weird times. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold. I replaced my 18 year old battery connectors and it seemed to help the starting issue.. Just my 2 cents.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
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From: Maine (NorCal Native)
If I understand correctly you have tested the voltage at the Glow Plug while the Glow plugs are on and it's only 8-9 volts ... Thats pretty low, should be within a couple volts of the battery at the same time (by testing across the battery posts themselves).
Have you checked the Chassis to Engine wiring harness connector, they tend to burn up!
White smoke out the pipe is either Coolant or Superheat unburnt fuel (partially burnt, not enough heat).
If it's sweet it's coolant, if it's acrid (or smells like Diesel) it's fuel.
I suspect the Glow Pugs are not getting hot enough.
Are they Motorcraft/Beru.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Have you checked the Chassis to Engine wiring harness connector, they tend to burn up!
White smoke out the pipe is either Coolant or Superheat unburnt fuel (partially burnt, not enough heat).
If it's sweet it's coolant, if it's acrid (or smells like Diesel) it's fuel.
I suspect the Glow Pugs are not getting hot enough.
Are they Motorcraft/Beru.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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I tested at the glow plugs, i thought that it was because of the peace of metal resistor sitting on the relay that lowered the voltage?
The cables r all more or less home made, but there is proper ones going from neg to the engine, and one decent one going to the chassie from one of the batteries.
I have just removed one of the plugs and that one is motorcraft.
I was thinking about replacing the plug cables and removing that resistor, but i read some where that the plugs are 10,5 volts so i'm afraid i'll damage them?
But should it not start instantly when i restart it just after a second even without glow plugs?
And the smoke is diesel i think, it don't use a lot of water and it smells pretty good :P
And sorry for my spelling, i'm from sweden.... (if that's an excuse?)
The cables r all more or less home made, but there is proper ones going from neg to the engine, and one decent one going to the chassie from one of the batteries.
I have just removed one of the plugs and that one is motorcraft.
I was thinking about replacing the plug cables and removing that resistor, but i read some where that the plugs are 10,5 volts so i'm afraid i'll damage them?
But should it not start instantly when i restart it just after a second even without glow plugs?
And the smoke is diesel i think, it don't use a lot of water and it smells pretty good :P
And sorry for my spelling, i'm from sweden.... (if that's an excuse?)
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
No apology necessary ... Your spelling is fine!
Yes, The Glow Plugs are 10.5V, the wire size is also used as a resistor and is very important.
Have you tested all the glow plugs, I know you state it runs smooth when it starts, still you should test all the Glow Plugs as well as ensure all of them are Motorcraft/Beru.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Yes, The Glow Plugs are 10.5V, the wire size is also used as a resistor and is very important.
Have you tested all the glow plugs, I know you state it runs smooth when it starts, still you should test all the Glow Plugs as well as ensure all of them are Motorcraft/Beru.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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Yeah, i have tested them all, first the voltage level at each one, then i disconnected the cable from everyone and checked them with a 55 watt lamp, that i connected to the battery pos, i guess i should have measured the ressistance instead?
I have not chacked so everyone is Motorcraft/beru.
Yesterday i bought two sets of glowplugs and they should arrive in the mail next week, but they are Bosch.
One set was for me and one for a neighbour, but maybe i'll sell both of them to my neighbour... :P
I have not chacked so everyone is Motorcraft/beru.
Yesterday i bought two sets of glowplugs and they should arrive in the mail next week, but they are Bosch.
One set was for me and one for a neighbour, but maybe i'll sell both of them to my neighbour... :P
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Please Please DO NOT put them Bosch's in any truck ... I personally have been bitten by Bosch's!
I didn't listen, It's costing me now!
I'm swapping the 7.3 from my 91 into my 86 because of Bosch's!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
I didn't listen, It's costing me now!
I'm swapping the 7.3 from my 91 into my 86 because of Bosch's!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
The tips exploded ... One fell into a Cylinder while running down the road!
I think I have a picture of the Glow Plugs in my album under Misc.
If not I will in a few.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
I think I have a picture of the Glow Plugs in my album under Misc.
If not I will in a few.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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I put in a new cable from the battery and connected it to the glow plug relay, and now i got 10,2 volts at the plugs when they are still connected.
With a big grin on my face i cranked it again..... for 12 seconds before it started
Might the relay be broken someway? so it is not on long enough?
Another thought was to check the injectors or replacing them, like jwhite0109 did.
With a big grin on my face i cranked it again..... for 12 seconds before it started
Might the relay be broken someway? so it is not on long enough?
Another thought was to check the injectors or replacing them, like jwhite0109 did.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: West Valley Utah
On a cold engine, the glow plugs should come on for 8-10 seconds before you try to start the engine. If the glow plugs come on for a couple seconds and then click on and off, you have some bad glow plugs.
The problem of taking a few seconds to start a warm engine could be anything from sucking a bit of air to normal wear of the injection pump and injectors. How many miles are on the engine and has there been any work done on the fuel return lines, injection pump, injectors or lift pump?
The problem of taking a few seconds to start a warm engine could be anything from sucking a bit of air to normal wear of the injection pump and injectors. How many miles are on the engine and has there been any work done on the fuel return lines, injection pump, injectors or lift pump?
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It's got 280'000 kilometers on it, i think that would be about 174'000 miles. (we got the homo metric fukin way of measuring here...)
I bought the truck just a few weeks ago so i don't know what's been done to it.
I have checked the lift pump, replaced the fuel filter that was letting in air and tested the glow plugs but nothing about the injectors or pump.
I wrote earlier how i checked the glow plugs, maybe i should measure the ressistance with a multimeter?
I bought the truck just a few weeks ago so i don't know what's been done to it.
I have checked the lift pump, replaced the fuel filter that was letting in air and tested the glow plugs but nothing about the injectors or pump.
I wrote earlier how i checked the glow plugs, maybe i should measure the ressistance with a multimeter?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
The 7.3 has the electronic glow plug system. If 1 or more glow plugs are bad, the system will come on for only a few seconds and then click on and off. The glow plugs should stay on for a full 8-10 seconds on a cold engine. The high idle should stay on until water temp is I believe 115 degrees.
You did not mention if the glow plugs are coming on and staying on for the correct amount of time. Even on a warm engine, depending on how long it's been shut off, the glow plugs will activate for a short period.
You did not mention if the glow plugs are coming on and staying on for the correct amount of time. Even on a warm engine, depending on how long it's been shut off, the glow plugs will activate for a short period.