Hard start, glow plugs?

[dunk]

Truck used to fire right up immediately when cold with a 7-10 second glow, though occasionally (rarely) took a little cranking when hot in warmer weather (old pump, I'd guess 98k miles). My uncle started my truck a few times while I was away and left it at his house, only to move it out of the way and a mile to pick me up at the airport. He has done this a couple times before, though is not used to diesel trucks or manual things. Upon my return he picked me up in my truck and commented it stalled once after driving a short distance (never done this in the several years I owned it). Seemed fine for my 20 mile drive home.

Truck was hard to start 5 hours later. Cranked a few seconds, no start, cranked again and it fired. 3 hours later it took a bunch of cranking to start. Both yesterday and today it has been hard to start in the morning or if sitting more than a few hours. I was holding the plugs closer to 10 seconds rather than 7, and holding the pedal a slight amount and it seems to start easier. Never had to do this before. Pump timed at 9* almost two years ago.

Ohmed glow plugs:
1: .3
2: .5
3: .6
4: .6
5: .7
6: .5
7: .4
8: Too hard to reach with a warm engine

I have 8 new ZD-1A (stamped Beru) on hand ($63 at Advance). Pulled one old plug, appears fairly clean and is DieselRx 00088. Haven't heard any nightmare stories about these. It ohms out the same as one of the new Beru plugs. Should I bother replacing these? Are my starting issues glow plugs, pump/injectors, or something else? Should I replace the glow plugs?

 

[Waystro]

Pump might be going south.

 

[dunk]

Pulled and tested 3 easy to access plugs. They are pretty clean and glow hot fairly quick. They measure a few thou smaller OD than the Beru and look straight, so no swelling. Knocked the light soot off and put 'em back in. I'm guessing even if #8 is dead the other 7 work fine and it should at least be giving it the ol' college try on 6 or 7 hot plugs, but it's basically nothing and then when it goes it lights right off.

Have to pull the injector lines to get to about half of them as a wrench and crows foot don't fit, so not worth bothering currently. I'm guessing it's pump and injector time. Maybe replace all the plugs when all that is off the engine. The mondo Banks box is a PITA to remove and reseal. Seems to destroy base gaskets every time. Unfortuantely can't find my rubber gaskets so paper on it this time.

 

[cpdenton]

Make sure your fuel filter is staying full and not draining back from some sort of air intrusion.

 

[79jasper]

Doesn't sound glowplug related, imo.

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[dunk]

Thought glow plugs since the problem began immediately after someone else started it a few times (maybe glowed too long). Does not seem to be the case though, and I know the pump is getting worn. Tossed half a bottle of diesel kleen in for whatever it's worth. Think I'll be calling Conestoga tomorrow. Time to bite the bullet, maybe a new pump will help with the total lack of power and torque too. Will need to order a new pyro since mine died, haven't worried about it too much since I won't be towing again until spring.

How can I test for fuel draining back or leaking? Can I just remove line from filter to pump and crank it, expecting fuel right away? Or will that hurt the pump? Remove return line and expect fuel immediately?

 

[cpdenton]

When I was having a problem with air leaks(fuel heater was my issue), when I unscrewed my fuel filter, it was not full.

You can also push the Schrader valve on the filter head and see if you have a steady stream of fuel.(might put a piece of clear hose on it to control spray).

 

[79jasper]

Supposedly you can't burn out the diesel rx plugs by leaving them on too long.
I haven't had direct experience with those, but some ac Delco and literally couldn't burn them out.

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[mblaney]

Dunk, I would check the voltage at the GP relay. make sure there is power getting to your GP's. Assuming you are using the original GP controller your WTS light will tell you if you have a blown GP; if the WTS light seems to be on a shorter amount of time and then quickly cycles you have a GP problem.

Sounds to me like you have a fuel problem though. No 'filter' warning light? Should show a problem if your supply pressure is too low.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Upon my return he picked me up in my truck and commented it stalled once after driving a short distance (never done this in the several years I owned it). Seemed fine for my 20 mile drive home

Glow plugs had nothing to do with it stalling. It Ran out of fuel. How much fuel in the tank?

 

[dunk]

I will check for voltage drop to glow plugs. This is push button, no controller. It fired right up this morning like normal, to add to the confusion. Only thing I did was unplug and replug 7 of the glow plugs, remove/knock soot off/test/ reinstall 3, and clean/oil the air filter while the box was off.

Regarding stalling... It took 42.72 gallons (of 57) when I filled it on the way home. Forget what tank it was on but could have been the front which was very near empty. Both pickups are extended with copper to the bottom with a slight angle cut.

 

[riotwarrior]

Knocking corrosion off and assuring good connections ciukd have made all the difference....

JM7.3CW

AL