F-350 Diesel Cold weather start
 

I bought my '05 F-350 Diesel 6.0 in October with 116,000 miles. It now has 121,000. Yesterday it wouldn't start. I thought I had left the fog lights on all night, but it seems they actually shut off with the engine if the light switch is on auto, so maybe my battery wasn't drained after all... I tried several times to start it in the cold weather yesterday morning with no luck. I shut it off, waited an hour, and tried again. After several tries it started. I drove around all day with no problems starting after that.

This morning it was 15 degrees outside and it wouldn't start at all. I ran down the battery trying to start it. Had the battery on trickle charge today and tried starting it this evening hooked to two vehicles with jumper cables (one to each of my batteries). Still nothing. It cranks fine, but does not catch. I put winter fuel additive in the fuel tank, but it hasn't circulated. I do not have a block heater power cord attached (ordered one today). It seems that even with plenty of battery power it won't crank.

I'm not sure if it is any of the following issues:
Low/weak batteries
Bad glow plugs (I wait for the light go off each time before attempting to start)
Fuel additive neeeds to be circulated
Need a block heater for freezing temperatures

Still, I'm confused because I've heard people claim they don't need fuel additive, a block heater, or working glow plugs for starting at temperatures above -30 degrees. Any other insights?
Thanks!

the fuel in your lines might be jelled up try pulling out the fuel filter and see what the fuel looks like in there.

Or your fuel filters might be clogged up.

Thanks Liv,
I checked and the fuel filter looks clean... no gelling in that area either.
Any other ideas?

Also, when attempting to start it is it best to keep the gas pedal pressed all the way down while it's cranking over?

I've never had to touch the pedal. If you do have to you've got some issues going on.

Can you hear the fuel pump?

:-huh
Seems contradictory :confused:

Eh... I didn't notice that. It's just cranking and cranking but won't turn over correct?

Whats wrong with search btw it keeps coming up blank

Sorry... meant to say that even with plenty of battery power it won't start. It cranks and sounds like it's going to start... sputters but doesn't stay running.

Yes, when I turn the ignition on, I can hear the fuel pump run.

Mine did the same thing this morning but eventually it started. It was 12* this morning with a wind chill of -10*. I parked in a different spot in the driveway tonight where the sun hits at first light. This helped last year to speed the heating. It only happens on the coldest of nights though. I keep meaning to purchase a heater cord.

I've got no idea

What weight oil are you running?

The FICM can cause a no start issue but I wouldn't start throwing parts at it when it could be something simple.

Running 15W-40 Rotella-T

Have your batteries checked out, you might have a weak cell or 2. Also 5W-40 oil is a + for cold weather.

It's been -30C~-35C (-22F~-31F) here for the for the last couple of weeks and I can def say that you should change your oil and batteries. With the correct oil and new batteries I've started my truck at almost -40C not plugged in (had to kinda run it on the starter till it caught) But I had no choice and couldn't plug it in as I was out in the bush... From my experience it sounds like week batteries and incorrect oil....

Just my 2c...

JT

Make sure you have the latest flash for the computer. There was an update that makes cold starts much better. I have started mine at -5*F with no block heater no problem. Slow to crank, but starts the first try.

If not that check the batteries, glow system and definately swap the oil for 5W-40.

I have a 05 f-350 Had the same problem (Even after it was warm) Just sometime I could crank on it and it wouldn't start. Took it to the dealer they did a tsb on it...... They had to replace a high pressure oil line that is in the engine. The injectors have to have so many psi to them before they will fire and this oil line sometimes stops them from getting that much pressure!