Ford F150 - Cold Dead Diesel

Saw Bonz · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject: Cold Dead Diesel

I have 2 7.3's a 99 & 2001 and with the change of temps here in NE PA this week both of my trucks would not start...the 99 would not even try to fire, the 01 tried to kick but took some either to get it to fire and run, after it started it had no power, you could step on the throtle and the engine did not rev up until it ran and warmed up. The 99 did start after the block heater was plugged in for @ 1 hr. but also had no power until the engine temp rose. and suggestions? I read that this seems to be a fuel gel problem but it's only in the 30's and stations are already getting winterized fuel, has anybody had this problem and found out the answer? Thanks Doc (sawbonz) you can reply to webuildemright@yahoo.com

bobwhitecar · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:51 am Post subject:

you need to check out the glow plugs in them

rustyred · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:11 am Post subject:

You're right it's not that cold right now so I'm not sure about that. However I had a buddy who had trouble getting his to start last year and it turned out the block heater was not working.

tango68 · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:25 am Post subject: diesel cold no start

The electronic HEUI emgines in the Ford trucks run the fuel injection system using High pressure oil from the the engine oil pan, for winter use , you should always change your engine oil to a lighter weight, say 10w30 and make sure it is a CG rated oil to reduce foaming. It also sounds like your glow plugs are not working properly, have your glow plug relay check before you start pulling glow plugs from the engine.An oil pan heater has a much better effect than a block heater as the heat is produce at the bottom of the engine and travels all the way up through the block.

mjsecrist · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:34 am Post subject:

Glowplug check first, glowplug relay next. The relays do go out, easy replacement. Also as far as the engine revving goes, there is a turbo bypass that closes a flapper valve to help the engine warm up faster. If its colder than around 20F, you definately need to let the engine run a little before taking off. Until the flap closes a little and runs some air to your turbo there wont be any boost.

Saw Bonz · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject:

thanks for the replys, the 1999 is an automatic and it starts fine without the factory block heater in 32 deg. weather but has no pull out power without a 5 min or more warm up, the 2002 is a std shift and needs to be eithered to start.... I have replace the fuel/injector harnesses and injectors which did seem to help the starting in warmer weather but not now. I think the glow plugs system is now working properly because when I recently bought the truck 3 months ago, if you started the truck it knocked and smoked like the engine was bad until it warmed up then ran fine...the dealer told me it had 1 or more cold cylinders and I should try the harnesses which seemed to help but didn't 100% correct the problem so he then said it was probably a bad glow plug, so I changed all 8 and still did not 100% correct the problem. I'm using winterized diesel and adding anti gel but it's still only in the 30's and I can't imagine the problems if I can't plug in every where I go. Has anyone ever had to replace the fuel well heater for this problem? I have heavy machinery(dozers, backhoes, excavators, skid steers, tractor trailers and tri-axels and all of them combined don't give me as much problem with cold starts as my 2 Ford 7.3's do... and we run in sub zero without plugging in at construction sites and very rarely have to either or jump a machine to get thing going. Thanks Doc(sawbonz) webuildemright@yahoo.com