99 F350 PS Diesel cold start problem

[AlanB]

To set the stage a bit, I am from Florida, live in North Tennessee. Have spent some time in Germany and had my taste of cold but no experience dealing with cold starting diesels.

I read the threads with interest on the gelling, etc. etc, and we deal with it on a very limited basis here. I also feel in some ways we are more susceptible to the problems here in the south, as folks just dont deal with it enough to get good at it.

Anyway, last week it was down around 7f with windchill down in the minus a couple zone. (course two days later it was 70f )

My 99 F350 with a powerstroke would not start. So I was debating gelled fuel.

The fuel filter on this is in the middle of the engine, essentially where a carb would sit. It is not the most convienient thing to get at. There is also a drain, or blowout or whatever you call it valve that is on there that you can open to drain that filter off.

Not sure if it was a fuel problem, or glow problem, or the truck felt like I did and just did not want to do anything at that temperature, but was looking for troubleshooting ideas.

I drove it in this morning at about 34f and it was fine. Had to cycle the glow plugs twice to get it too go.

Thanks

 

[deereguy]

I found on a '91 7.3L IDI Ford diesel and an '04 6.0L Power Stroke, they like to be plugged in (engine heater) below 32 or so degrees. They seem to start easier and run better after they are plugged in overnight. Just my .02.

 

[Ductape]

I currently own an F-350 with the same motor, and have owned several Powerstrokes, and plenty of other diesels. I'm no expert, but i do have a fair amount of experience. I suspect you are in an area that doesn't "treat" or "blend" fuel for winter. I recommend using Power Service fuel treatment. You will always find trouble if you don't change your fuel filter regularly. Obviously, the dirtier the filter, the easier it clogs. It is possible to have fuel gel so bad your fuel lines will need to be disconnected and blown out with compressed air. Any time you suspect gelled fuel, it is easiest to buy the Power Service 911 in the red bottle. It will actually dissolve gelled fuel, as opposed to just treating it. As always, try to buy your fuel from a station that moves alot of it. They will be most likely to have the most current blend...... less chance of buying summer fuel in winter.

 

[franklinute]

Hello, I am having the same issues with my 2000 F250. For the last couple of months the truck has trouble starting in the mornings. I do cycle the glow plugs a couple of times but no luck if the weather is below 40. I have been parking a little closer to the house and plugging the engine heater in for about 30 minutes and then it starts easy even on 15-20 degree mornings.
Check out dieselstop.com and check out all the info on fixing the cold start issues. I have replaced the batteries but my glow plugs and the relay are original.

 

[cmuncy]

1. Cold weather starting requires a GOOD set of batteries. If the engine can't spin up to a specific rpm, the computer will not allow a start. Also, the module that fires off the HEUI injectors must see a given amount of voltage before they will fire. NEVER REPLACE ONE BATTERY AT A TIME. ONLY REPLACE AS PAIRS.

2. If you are seeing white smoke (unburnt diesel fuel) coming out of the tail pipe, then the injectors are firing.

3. You could have a bad glow plug relay. The 99's had essentially a starter motor relay for a glow plug relay. If they went out, then the glow plugs won't come on and no MIL to show that on the dash. 2000 and up have a solid state relay for the glow plugs.

4. Make sure that your oil is topped off and clean. Too many miles between oil changes ans the HEUI injectors won't fire. The colder it gets, the more clean the oil needs to be.

Between 30 and 40 you should not have to plug in your truck's block heater ( the early 99's don't have one IIRC ). You just have to make sure that all of the above are in good shape.

 

[rtdiggr]

1. Cold weather starting requires a GOOD set of batteries. If the engine can't spin up to a specific rpm, the computer will not allow a start. Also, the module that fires off the HEUI injectors must see a given amount of voltage before they will fire. NEVER REPLACE ONE BATTERY AT A TIME. ONLY REPLACE AS PAIRS.

2. If you are seeing white smoke (unburnt diesel fuel) coming out of the tail pipe, then the injectors are firing.

3. You could have a bad glow plug relay. The 99's had essentially a starter motor relay for a glow plug relay. If they went out, then the glow plugs won't come on and no MIL to show that on the dash. 2000 and up have a solid state relay for the glow plugs.

4. Make sure that your oil is topped off and clean. Too many miles between oil changes ans the HEUI injectors won't fire. The colder it gets, the more clean the oil needs to be.

Between 30 and 40 you should not have to plug in your truck's block heater ( the early 99's don't have one IIRC ). You just have to make sure that all of the above are in good shape.

Chris you took the words out of my mouth. and also change the fuel filter.[make sure you depressurize the fuel system] It looks like the valve for a tire. wear safety glasses.

Shane

 

[john_bud]

Failure to start when cold is glow plugs. (Or you didn't use them properly. Cycle the key switch 2-3 times waiting for the glow light to go out before doing it again.)

Failure to stay running is gel clogging the filter. That usually happens 1/4 mile to a mile away from the house.

jb

 

[cmuncy]

Shane,
Some of the very early PowerStrokes did not include a schreider valve on the heads to release pressure so you have to use the water drain on the back of the filter to relieve pressure before popping the fuel filter cap.

On a side note:
One of the best mods of the 7.3 trucks is to extend that water drain line with a piece of fuel line so that its long enough to just pass the front suspension so that you can actually capture the fuel/water in a container instead of it splashing all over your work area.

 

[AlanB]

John, that is how we do the glow plugs.

From your description and the other posts here it is a plug / battery problem so I will proceede that direction.

Chris, yes, mine is the one with the water drain and no shrader, and wish I had the hose, I had forgot to close the dang thing when I went to start after changing the filter 2500 miles (last month or so) ago and man does it make a mess. One of those projects I need to get too.

Chris, in an earilier post you said

"You could have a bad glow plug relay. The 99's had essentially a starter motor relay for a glow plug relay. If they went out, then the glow plugs won't come on and no MIL to show that on the dash. 2000 and up have a solid state relay for the glow plugs."

what is a MIL? I am guessing a light? I have the wait to start light, and it does illuminate, should I be looking for something else?

Will the later or is there an aftermarket relay to replace mine that I should get?

Thanks for the help guys.

Pointed question, is there a way to check that fuel filter without opening and removing it? I thought about opening the valve and cranking over and seeing if the gunk blew out the bottom. Good idea, bad idea or pointless?

 

[cmuncy]

MIL= Engine light

The relays are a common item and I believe that NAPA even carries them now.

The only way to check the fuel filter is to pull it out. Opening the drain will just let water and fuel out, typically no gunk unless the fuel filter canister is full of crud.