BKahler
Full Access Member
Last month on my Birthday I purchased a really nice looking 2001 F250 SD 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed truck. It has 145,000 miles on the clock and has been pretty well maintained (came from west Texas). This isn't my first 7.3, I've had an 88, 92 and a 2000. Although this isn't my first post to Oil Burners I haven't posted in about 8 years or so.
Overall the truck runs really well and appears to have been chipped, possibly with an SCT X3-3000 although I haven't confirmed that as yet. But in the back of the tool box was a programmer for the X3. Not sure how?
At the moment I'm having a cold start issue. Over the past few weeks we've been having temps down in the 0 degree to single digits. During that stretch I corrected a few issues such as a dirty fuel filter, bad (i.e. cheap assed) replacement battery clamps on the negative cables and the drivers side positive cable. Those two changes really helped in starting but they weren't fixed until the temps were in the 30s or higher. The changes were not put to the test until last night when it got down to 18 degrees. This morning when I tried to start it, it took 10 to 20 seconds or so before it tried to fire. After that each time it sounded a little better and actually got to the point where it sounded like it was going to take off and would then abruptly die like it was being turned off. I generally cycle the glow plugs for about 20 to 30 seconds or so between tries.
During one attempt I checked the battery voltage with a meter while I had the ignition switch in the on position (i.e. glow plugs cycling) and was surprised to see the battery voltage was down do about 11.8 volts. However when turning the engine over it seems to spin at a reasonable speed. I believe that tells me the glow plugs are cycling properly.
What should I be looking for to resolve this problem?
Oh yeah, I have not been using the block heater as it appears the element is bad.
Thanks!
Brad
Richmond, KY
Overall the truck runs really well and appears to have been chipped, possibly with an SCT X3-3000 although I haven't confirmed that as yet. But in the back of the tool box was a programmer for the X3. Not sure how?
At the moment I'm having a cold start issue. Over the past few weeks we've been having temps down in the 0 degree to single digits. During that stretch I corrected a few issues such as a dirty fuel filter, bad (i.e. cheap assed) replacement battery clamps on the negative cables and the drivers side positive cable. Those two changes really helped in starting but they weren't fixed until the temps were in the 30s or higher. The changes were not put to the test until last night when it got down to 18 degrees. This morning when I tried to start it, it took 10 to 20 seconds or so before it tried to fire. After that each time it sounded a little better and actually got to the point where it sounded like it was going to take off and would then abruptly die like it was being turned off. I generally cycle the glow plugs for about 20 to 30 seconds or so between tries.
During one attempt I checked the battery voltage with a meter while I had the ignition switch in the on position (i.e. glow plugs cycling) and was surprised to see the battery voltage was down do about 11.8 volts. However when turning the engine over it seems to spin at a reasonable speed. I believe that tells me the glow plugs are cycling properly.
What should I be looking for to resolve this problem?
Oh yeah, I have not been using the block heater as it appears the element is bad.
Thanks!
Brad
Richmond, KY
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