Hard starting

[Ol' Smoky]

Hey folks, as it turns out 70 degrees is just too cold for my new 88' 7.3 IDI and i was wondering if yall had any ideas why.

My brother says that engine has 6-volt glow plugs but im not sure and i would like more info on the subject, you can hear them cycle for 5-10 seconds before clicking on and off, they all ohmed out ok minus number 8.

Also wondering about timing and a good way to correctly time the pump

 

[dakotajeep]

How long does it take to crank? Will it even start? Batteries?

Our systems can be finicky with even just one bad glow plug.

Thad

 

[Ol' Smoky]

It takes 15-25 seconds to start in 60 degree weather then has a terribly rough itle, batteries are good, cables are good, cranks at a good speed.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

How long does the WTS light stay on for? should be right around 10 sec.

 

[Ol' Smoky]

No wait to start light, f-150 cab.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

That is your problem. you need to check your glow plugs.

 

[Ol' Smoky]

They were good except for number eight, i just wouldnt think 1 glow plug would make that much difference at 60 degreess

 

[flareside_thun]

Even if the GP's test good the problem could be in the controller....

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[gatorman21218]

I can start my truck without glowplugs during the summer. It takes about 3-5 seconds of cranking but shell do it. With that in mind there is something else of a combo of things that are making it hard to start.

Assuming the problem is not fuel related and in order check:
batteries. Are they giving you all the juice you need?
Batt. Cables. In good shape and ends not corroded?
starter motor. strong or barely hanging on?
Timing???
IP??? From personal experience I can tell you a wore out IP can make starting next to impossible. Last winter if my truck was not plugged in the whole night, with good gps, new batts and starter, she would not start. Although at 180k miles on that IP she had a good life.
Compression. A compression ignition engine needs good compression to ignite.

 

[4x4TruckinGirl]

Any smoke on a startup? Could be air getting in the system, even just a lil will cause issues.....

 

[Silver Burner]

It seriously sounds like to me that you have air in your fuel lines. Once the truck is going good, when you shut it off it should start back up easy with no GP's unless you let it sit again for a while. When it's cold, unscrew the fuel filter and make sure it's brimming full of fuel. If not, you got air and I'd start with the check valve that the line coming from the closest injector to the top of the fuel filter assembly goes. Take it off and try to look through it. If you see light, it's bad and that's where your air is.

 

[gatorman21218]

Any smoke after you get her going? A bad/wore out fuel system can give off blue smoke. You would have thought my truck had Vitron piston rings.

 

[Ol' Smoky]

Just found a small fuel leak, gunna check it out tomorrow and see what the issue is, im sure the batteries and cables are good, not sure about the timing though