another starting question

[nateb]

First off, this site is a great resource. Been checking it out for about a month and the info on here is great. I am a completely new to diesel, so its great to be able to read pointers from people who have been working on these forever.

I bought my first diesel in January. Its a 90 F-250 135,000 miles.It almost always started fine as long as it had been plugged in for four hours or so. Then I proceeded to break my leg later in the month. Long story short, I started the truck a few times but it has been sitting a lot. Lately it does not want to start. I know it could be a lot of things, but one thing I have noticed is that the WTS light comes on and stays on for about 15 seconds or so and then blinks once. When it does this it generally doesn't start. It did this sometimes when I first bought it but only when it the truck had been sitting (I'm in Northeast Ohio so it was cold out if that matters). Now it is still doing this even with the temp in the 50s. I did a search and looked in the owner manual but didn't couldn't figure this one out. Time for new glowplugs?

Thanks in advance,
Nathan

 

[franklin2]

Use a testlight or voltmeter in resistance mode to check the glowplugs first to see if they are good.

 

[nateb]

Thanks for the reply. I'll do that as soon as I am up and about. I guess part of my question is if it is a sure thing glow plug problem if it flashes once after the 15 seconds or so. After it flashes the light stays off and doesn't continue blinking. I was just thinking I could order the glow plugs now and have them ready as soon as my leg will let me do some work, if that flash means I need to.
Thanks again,
Nathan

 

[icanfixall]

Your starting issue sounds to me like a fuel leak down. Are the return lines wet. Any fuel lines look wet at the connections. On the injection pump side of the fuel filter the line has some rubber seals called olives in them. They will harden and leak over time. Any good injection pump rebuild shop will have them.

 

[nateb]

Thanks. I was thinking that was another possibility as there is some moisture. I guess I'll have to wait and take a look at it. Does the blink of the WTS light mean anything though?

 

[nateb]

I think you are correct Icanfixall. The return lines appear to definitely be leaking. Is there a safe somewhat easy way to get the truck started so I can at least get it to a shop? Got a friend who could be using the truck while my leg is broke so I hate to see it just sit.
Thanks
Nathan

 

[fuzzy1626]

With the solid state glow plug system a 15 second burn should mean that all the plugs are good. The single blink.
Are you getting the after glow when the light goes out( clicking )?

 

[nateb]

Thanks Fuzzy. Just went out and checked it again. It did the single blink. Didn't click (or I didn't notice if it did). Decent sized puddle of diesel under the truck. Any good way to get it started to get it to a shop(It'll probably be another month before I could crawl under the hood)

 

[franklin2]

If you have air in the fuel system, the only way to work it out is pump the fuel from the tank, and if you have the original mechanical pump, the only way to pump the fuel is by cranking the engine. Crank it for 5 to 10 seconds and let it rest for something like 30 seconds, and then crank for another 5 to 10 seconds and let it rest again. Keep doing this and hopefully the batteries will hold up enough to get the fuel up through and get it started.

 

[7.3n/anut]

on yer fuel filter housing there is what looks like a valve stem. crank it over while someone holds the stem in. this will alow free fuel flow and let air out so it doesnt have to work to get out. this works every time ffor me. makes a mess but it works. but yea have someone push the little stem in and crank till she starts the rule of thumb is crank for 30sec wait 2 min. this should help er fire up like i said always works for me

 

[nateb]

Thanks guys. I'll report back in a day or two. Appreciate the help.

 

[nateb]

Thanks again to everyone for helping. Got the truck started today using the valve stem trick on the filter. Got two new batteries also which helped big time the others were about done. Felt good to hear her running again. Still cant figure out why the WTS light flashes once at the end.

 

[condor74]

i was reading through this and was going to suggest to check the batteries. I also have a 1990 f250....Starting sounds exactly like yours...changed batteries and now starts perfect.

 

[nateb]

Yea I think it was a combination because I was keeping a battery tender on it lately and it would crank good for a few seconds which was usually enough until lately. I ended up calling around and going to the interstate battery dealer and getting 2 of interstate's off-brand batteries for 80 apiece. They are group 65s with 850cca and an 84month warrenty. Though that was pretty good. Put them in and had a friend push on the valve stem and it fired up after a few seconds.