1988 f250 7.3 IDI 4x4-cranks-NO START!!

[dbush]

Thanks for reading-
'88 f250 4by 7.3 IDI won't start. Truck will crank. Low reading on battery meter in cab. Batteries have been charged.
There are cracks in the cables at the battery posts. Seems like not enough power to "combust" fuel in cylinder.
Items I should check right now?

BTW-replaced injectors while ago. Bled line and filled fuel filter with good fuel. There is a little bicycle type nipple on the engine side of the fuel filter housing-what is this? Pumped out fuel from tanks as biodiesel was previously run. Replaced with good fuel. I have also changed the starter awhile ago-expensive. Not looking to do this real soon.

Anyone live in Seattle and will diagnose for beer? Been burned by diesel mechanic and distrusting of their ilk.

Thoughts? Diesel rookie here.

[gregrob]

The valve is a purge valve for the fuel filter, if you changed the fuel filter you need to have someone hold the valve open and crank it until you get good strong diesel coming through.

Get some good hot batteries in it and make sure the GP system is working, someone can post how to test completely.

You can test each GP with a test light or ohm meter.

Make sure the fuel pump is putting out too.

[Greg77]

Check and make sure you have power (12 volts) at injection pump with key turned on. I think there are two wires at the injection pump one should be hot with the key on, turn key off nothing there. If you have air in the system it can be a bugger to get started. Keep bleeding and make sure you have all the air out. If you have bad battery cables and are not getting enough power to your starter so the motor turns over fast enough it will not start. Are your glow plugs working? Make sure you are getting a good volume of fuel at the filter or injection pump.

Good Luck, Greg