MandolinMan
Registered User
Hello all,
As I mentioned in a previous forum, when I bought my '88 F250 it would only start on ether. So far I've replaced the glow plugs (with motorcraft ZD-9's) as well as the relay and controller. So far this winter I've made sure to plug up the block heater night before I needed to use it. With the block heater, it will start in about .5 to 2 seconds. Even down to the single digits just fine.
Well I wanted to try a cold start just to know if it would start when not plug in. 16 degrees this morning. The wait to start light stayed on for about 14-16 seconds. turned the starter over for about six seconds, little white smoke but didn't fire. Cycled the glow plugs again, this time the light stayed on for about 8 seconds. Turned it over for about 8-10 seconds and it fired up.
Just wondering if this is about as good as cold starting an IDI gets? Wondering how cold starting your fellows IDI compare in similar temperatures?
Also wondering about 'ether addiction'. The farmer I bought it from had been using a small shot of ether to start it for the last year to two. I've read on a few forums that prolonged ether usage tends to create a harder starting ether addicted engine. Just wondering if this is part of my hard starting issue. Even on days in the 40's and 50's it doesn't start good unless it is plugged in.
Anyway, just wanting a few opinions, Thanks.
As I mentioned in a previous forum, when I bought my '88 F250 it would only start on ether. So far I've replaced the glow plugs (with motorcraft ZD-9's) as well as the relay and controller. So far this winter I've made sure to plug up the block heater night before I needed to use it. With the block heater, it will start in about .5 to 2 seconds. Even down to the single digits just fine.
Well I wanted to try a cold start just to know if it would start when not plug in. 16 degrees this morning. The wait to start light stayed on for about 14-16 seconds. turned the starter over for about six seconds, little white smoke but didn't fire. Cycled the glow plugs again, this time the light stayed on for about 8 seconds. Turned it over for about 8-10 seconds and it fired up.
Just wondering if this is about as good as cold starting an IDI gets? Wondering how cold starting your fellows IDI compare in similar temperatures?
Also wondering about 'ether addiction'. The farmer I bought it from had been using a small shot of ether to start it for the last year to two. I've read on a few forums that prolonged ether usage tends to create a harder starting ether addicted engine. Just wondering if this is part of my hard starting issue. Even on days in the 40's and 50's it doesn't start good unless it is plugged in.
Anyway, just wanting a few opinions, Thanks.