Sat a few days and wouldn't start

[soggybottom]

I've been doing some reading and it sounds like these trucks require 850 cca batteries as a minimum. I have one 700 cca and one 800 cca in the truck. Would it be worth buying new batteries even though mine test OK? Thanks

 

[soggybottom]

Little update:

Bought 2 new group 29 batteries with 950cca each. Truck cranks much much faster now and starts a lot better. It was 22 degrees the other morning and the truck fired right up after sitting all night without being plugged in. Sometimes it still takes more cranking though. This morning I went out and tried to start it at 28 degrees. Cranked for about 8 seconds then paused and let the plugs run again. It then fired right up.

Could it be that it was harder to start because the tank is nearly empty? The other morning when it fired right up it was colder, but I had a full tank of fuel. That's the only difference I can think of.

Thanks

 

[soggybottom]

Past couple of days it has been about 15-20 degrees when I leave work, and the truck is very hard to start. Glow the plugs twice and crank for 10-20 seconds and it starts. Runs real rough for about 10 seconds then runs fine. Getting tired of throwing money at this thing. Filter is full to the brim when checked. No noticeable fuel leaks.

Anyone have any input at all? Thanks

 

[79jasper]

Have you checked the actual glow plug harness to make sure every plug is getting the correct power?

 

[soggybottom]

I have, and they are all getting power. The only thing I have found questionable with the glow plug system is the boots where the wires connect to the glow plugs. Mine are all rotted off, and all the connectors are bare metal. Also a couple are not original. I don't know if this would be enough to cause the truck to start so hard. The light stays on for what seems to be the right amount of time.

 

[79jasper]

But are they all getting the required voltage?

 

[soggybottom]

I seem to remember a little over 10 volts at all of the connectors.

 

[79jasper]

I don't know the factory spec. Mines a manual push button and get around 12v. But I'm sure someone will chime in soon that knows.

 

[soggybottom]

Another update:

Changed the fuel olives. Put new bullet connectors on the glow plug harness. Changed oil to 5w40.

Truck hasn't had a problem starting since. Around 20 degrees the last few mornings and the truck fires up in 1 -2 seconds unplugged with only one cycle of the glow plugs. I will see how it is when the temps drop below freezing, but this is definitely an improvement. When I got the truck it took a lot of cranking (10-30 seconds) in temps below 40. I don't know which of the last three changes helped the most because I did all on the same day.

List of things I have done to help with starting:

Motorcraft glow plugs
Fuel return lines, orings, caps
Fuel filter
Electric pump
New batteries and cables
Power wires to glow plug relay
Starter
New bullet connecters on glow plug harness
Fuel olives
5w40 oil

Just thought I would share this for anyone else fighting hard starting.