Tom - Cold Start

[Snotzalot]

Tom, quick question, how does your truck start when warm? How long can it sith with out starting problems?

[TomBrooklyn]

Hi: Is this for me? If so, truck only starts on first try if it's real warm. In this 30-40F weather, it takes two trys even after sitting only 15 minutes.

New Positive cable is in, and I reluged the drivers side neg battery lug by soldering. It had green corrosion on just on the outer perimeter of wires but it went back under the insul a few inches. I cut it back until there was ALMOST no corrosion left, then I scraped the outer wires shiny. I couldn't cut it back much more. Unfortunately, there is no change in difficulty of starting. Still have to glow about 4-5x at 30F. I'm going to check the other end of that neg cable and the right side neg cable, even if I have to cut the insul back to look at it and then tape it up if it's good or change them if there is corrosion. If there is a little corrosion on the outer perimeter, I suppossing that could hurt because that is where the cable mainly contacts the lug.

I washed engine and will be looking for fuel leak I suspect around filter now. I'm only getting 8 mpg. I will change filter soon. That may help starting, right?

I will amp test starter in vehicle also per your suggestion. How many amps should I see?

When I changed the pos cable, I found the screw post for the small wire on the starter solinoid is loose. I wire-tied it snug so it won't wiggle much due to vibration. A mechanic told me it's OK as long as it works, i.e. it's either connected or it isn't. He said if/when it comes completely loose, change the starter.

Starter still turns slowly than quicker with additional glows. When it starts turning fast, engine starts. Also, sometimes it starts better on third or fourth glow if I pump gas pedal multiple times. Fuel flow problem?

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TomBrooklyn. 1st Diesel 11/00: '90 E350 Cargo. 1(?)34k, pw/pl/cruise. Stl. Diam'd Plate bumpers w/bush bar.

[Snotzalot]

Has the replacement of the positive cable shortened the glow time to a normal 7 seconds? If not you still may have a cable problem, that ground cable from both batteries is as important as the positive cable.

I don't know what the correct AMP starter draw for these starters should be, a "Normal" gas V-8 is about 190 amps. I'd pull that starter and have it machine tested. Check all of the starter messages prior to accepting and rebuilt.

A fuel leak will hurt mileage, but if it's leaking that much you should see it draining off the back of the engine. Do you leave an oil slick in the street after driving.

Have you tried a cold start with a jump from a good known battery source?

[Snotzalot]

> When it starts turning fast, engine starts.

Pull it and have it tested.

[Snotzalot]

Tom,

Since you had the plugs replaced by a shop and since they had to pull the fuel filter to replace #2 and since you now have a fuel leak, and since it won't start after sitting 15 minutes or so and since you have to try 7 or 8 times to get it to fire, I would suspect you have a leaking filter and you are having to reprime the fuel system with every start.

Replace that filter before you try much else.

[TomBrooklyn]

Glow is still about 15 sec. at 30F, but shorter at 40F.

Will do: Re: change the fuel filter. Sometimes it starts better if I pump the gas pedal repeatedly, which seems to fits your hypothises also. Thanks for the advice.

I'm currently starting to track down an occasional strange noise, but I'm going to post seperately about that.

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TomBrooklyn. 1st Diesel 11/00: '90 E350 Cargo. 1(?)34k, pw/pl/cruise. Stl. Diam'd Plate bumpers w/bush bar.

[This message has been edited by TomBrooklyn (edited 12-14-2000).]

[Snotzalot]

It's taking way too long to heat those plugs, probably still a cable problem. Have you looked at the ground cable? Also take a look at the condition of the supply wires on the relay.

Hang in there Tom!

[TomBrooklyn]

Starter gave out yesterday. Changed it today. Problem is over. I didn't know that a starter could crank so fast on this vehicle. It cranked faster than I ever imagined it would and started on the first crank. It was snowing lightly at the time.

I got the Autozone brand rebuilt. It cost $180. (plus tax). Can't beat the warentee on it though, it's lifetime.

Only thing was it cranked for about 4 seconds before it started. I think I may have a fuel flow problem.

Will be changing fuel filter soon.

I feel a lot better now. Thanks for the help.

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TomBrooklyn. 1st Diesel 11/00: '90 E350 Cargo. 1(?)34k, pw/pl/cruise. Stl. Diam'd Plate bumpers w/bush bar.

[Snotzalot]

Tom, glad to hear this news!

When it's this cold and no preheat, I find I crank then I press on the pedal slowly in a smooth motion until it fires.

Sounds like you do have a fuel leak there and perhaps draing down the filter. Put a new lift pump on too when you have the time and warm weather. Costs about 25 bucks or so from Napa.