New old Ford owner

[Cope]

Hi folks, I recently got a 1985 Ford F-250. It has the 6.9 Diesel a four speed and 4X4.

I have a few questions about it.

How do I test the glow plugs and injectors?

When I remove the fuel filter do I have to bleed the fuel system after? What about if it ever runs out of fuel?

My current Air filter has a Pre filter on it. Should I wash and reinstall the pre filter or is it over kill?

I recently used the truck for the first time. I pulled my boat about 40 miles. The boat and trailer weigh around 3200 pounds. The truck was strugling to pull from a stop or on any kind of hill. The truck was also just pouring out dense black smoke but the fuel is around 7-10 years old....

The previous owner left the truck hooked up to the block warmer and battery charger for about 6 years?......with out ever firing it or driving it.....

What type of problems could this have caused?


Of course the tach dont work, the fuel gauge dont work but everything else seems ok.

I use the truck for pushing snow in the winter and boy can she push in 4 Lo. This being the first time I have ever used the truck on the street I thought it should have WAY more power in 2 wheel?

Thanks for the time and advice.

 

[jwalterus]

one question to start it off....

what's the rear end gearing?

 

[Cope]

Humm. I don't know. I guess I'll have to jack up the rear and find out.

EDIT- Also my glow plug light no longer comes on, I hope it's the fuse but if it aint where should I start looking?

Another thing, I have heard that it is bad to use starting fluid, I use it almost every time when the engine is cold......

 

[FordGuy100]

My question was I wonder how much money the previous owner spent on electricity for 6 years

 

[Cope]

Back story

I use to work at a restraunt, The boss was a Car guy. Raced cars, restored them and just took GREAT care of everything he owned.
The owner/Boss sold the place to the ASSastant manager lock stock and barrel. The truck was at the restraunt as a plow and dump run truck. The new owner knew nothing about trucks or anything else and mannaged to burn the clutch so bad the it was no longer contacting the fly wheel. Then the Reg lapsed. Fast forward 6-7-10 years and the truck still sits where it was parked.

I tell my boss to just let me have the truck, I'll fix it and pay the reg (Dang close to blue book value) and He gets two more parking spots and free snow plowing.

Well A few weeks later He signs the truck over and Now it's mine.

 

[icanfixall]

Welcome to the forum Cope.. The fuel system is probably worn out. Surely the fuel is not doing you any good. When you change the fuel filter fill it with auto tran fluid. Make sure its poured into the outer ring of holes in the filter. That wat the filter actually filters the fuel. Strat the engine and run it for about 2 minutes. Thats enough time to get the aft in the injectors and pump. Let it sit like that over nite. Atf is a great cheap injection system cleaner. Drive it for the next day hard but don't abuse it. That will clean out the pump and injectors. If the black smoke and poor performance is still with you it may just be time for a pump and injectors. The pre filter on the air cleaner can stay or go. Its up to you. They need to be clean so the engine gets enough air to run properly. If you are up at Lake Tahoe the thinner air will be an issue for a non turbo engine.

 

[Cope]

Yes I am in Tahoe. Elevation at my house is 6250 and mostly goes up from there. The truck is a Non turbo.

So your saying fill the outer ring of the fuel filter with ATF and run for 2 min then let sit over night? I do know about ATF and carbon removal, My folks ran owned an automotive machine shop from 1952 till they sold out to Autozone in 2006. (O the travesty, Auto zone sold all the machines and now it's just another junk store with floor mats, air fresheners and minimum wage idiots at the counter......)

Any thoughts on the Glow plug system and my frequent use of starting fluid?

Thanks again for the time and advice.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

Also my glow plug light no longer comes on, I hope it's the fuse but if it aint where should I start looking?

Could be you have bad glow plugs.

To test them get a 12V test light. Hook the test light lead up to the positive post on battery. Then take off the conectors on the glow plugs, touch light to top of glow plug, if it lights up it is good, if no light then it is bad.

 

[dakotajeep]

As long as you didn't go overboard with the starting fluid you should be fine. More than a quick squirt or two is too much!

Thad

 

[93f250idi]

ive learned that just a one second spray is plenty. more than that can hydrolock your engine. ask me how i know

 

[Cope]

Quick video of Her running.

Here you can ***** the smoke and engine sound.

You must be registered for see images attach

All thoughts are welcome.

(I'm not sure how to direct link the video, sorry)

Thanks again.

 

[gatorman21218]

Any thoughts on the Glow plug system and my frequent use of starting fluid?

Thanks again for the time and advice.

My opinion on ether is this. Its for emergency use only. A well tuned 6.9 should not ever need it. The fact that it will not start with out it tells me something is wrong on your truck. Start by checking the glowplugs. Then move on to air in the fuel. The 2 hardlines coming out of your filter have o-rings in them. also the injector return lines dry up and allow air in. Then check the batteries, cables and starter. Remember these engines require heat from compression to ignite the fuel. the faster she cranks, the more likely she is to start. Also a wore out Injection pump can make starting hard.

But as a safety precaution, disable the glowplugs before even getting the can of ether. Pre-ignition of ether by the glowplugs can do all sorts of bad things like cracking the piston, precup and more!

 

[FordGuy100]

The ATF truck should help lubricate the fuel system post fuel filter.

The black smoke is probably a combo of super old fuel and piston rings that aren't wanting to loosen up any is my guess.

How long is the wait to start light come on when you turn the key?

 

[Cope]

The light use to come on for a few seconds but it no longer comes on.

I just checked and most of the glo plug wires were loose or off. I have the tach sensor out now so I'll wait to see if it comes on after I reinstall the sensor.

With out starting fluid it will not start when cold. Once She's running and warm She will refire on her own. It takes about 5-7 seconds after warm to start.
The batterys (2) are bran new 875 CCG and 1000CG. The bat cables look to be 00 sized similar to long welding leads and look old yet decent. I know if I cut them open that may be another story.....

The tach sensor did have quite a bit of fine metal shavings on it. I cleaned it with starting fluid very well and liquid electrical taped the one area of exposed wire right where it comes out of the sensor. I also cleaned both plug ends with starting fluid, they looked NASTY inside.
I hope this may bring my tach back to life?

Thanks again. back to gettin greasy.
My dad did apologize for givin me the "Greaser Gene"....

 

[gatorman21218]

Have you verified your glowplugs with a check light? The next step would be to check the glow plug controller and relay. Sorry I cant help you there all I know is the 7.3 style system.

This winter my IP crapped out on me. It wasnt below 30 degrees, but I could not start my truck without a full night on the block heater. I had 8, 1 year old glowplugs; new starter and cables and good batteries. This is just to keep in the back of your mind. Dont start here first but it is a possibility.


5-7 seconds after warm to start - you have air in your fuel system most likely. Feel all the soft lines around the injectors. If they are wet with fuel then that is letting air in your system. also there are 2 o-rings on each injector. After sitting for 6 years I would not be surprised if these are leaking too. Lastly there are rubber "olives" that are under the flare nut on the hard line that goes from the fuel filter to the IP. there is also an olive on the inlet side of the filter as well. You can buy them from International or make them yourself. One line is 3/8 and the other is 5/16.