1988 7.3 Navistar Camper, cold start issues

[tfmtasad]

Hi guys!

My brother owns a 1988 Camper with a 7.3L Navistar engine. (I think it's based on an E350). He's been having some issues with his cold starts lately. (I haven't witnessed the symptoms, I live pretty far from him.)

Here are the symptoms:
-The engine takes a longer time to start. (It doesn't crank slower than usual)
-Once started it runs rough and sometimes, it stalls.
-Once it heats up it runs OK.

I need to go down there this weekend and I won't be able to bring a lot of tools with me. I was wondering if there was some known issues with these engines that you guys would know about.

My plan is basically go down there, witness the symptoms, check the resistance of his glow plugs, make sure everything is properly tightened, make sure the glow plug electrical circuit is corrosion free. Any other things I should be looking for? I won't have access to much more than my mutlimeter, a few hand tools and a bunch of rags. I won't be able to do much more than that.

[cdnsarguy]

Check the lift pump pressure........

Take the filter header Schrader valve core out and hook a hose and pressure guage to the outlet.........crank engine see what you get for pressure, should have 4-6 psi from a good lift pump.

Volume test same place hook a hose to it crank over the engine 10 seconds you should get 1/3 pint of fuel minimum.

****Important the fuel shutoff solenoid (FSS) wire on the IP should be disconnected if you do not want a start just cranking. Re connect FSS after test complete.

What is the level of fuel in the tank.... above 1/4 full.

[tfmtasad]

The tanks is almost full. He got his fuel from a reliable gas station (he's been refueling there for the past 20 years with no issues) so it should be ok.

Like I said in my post, I won't have access to a lot of tools, I'll just have to stick with me plan of checking glow plugs, wires, grounds, connectors etc. That's pretty much all I'll be able to do anyway.

[Plywood]

Seems to me like air in the fuel lines, try looking for small diesel leaks at the return caps and such.