Does IP turn way down = hard starts

[ak_cowboy]

This is a stab in the dark. I have replaced the glow plugs and tested the old ones. They were fine. I have run 2 cans of diesel purge through the filter housing to clean out "autolite" in the injectors and it still is starting rough. I have quite a bit of white smoke and crank for about 5 seconds when cold before it starts and it sounds like a cylinder is not firing until the cylinder temps come up. About another 5-10 seconds and it runs on all 8. I turned the fuel down 2 flats for fuel savings. Would that affect how it starts? I am planning on turning it back up do to no power now. Any other ideas. The IP and injectors are only 3 -4 years old with less than 60K on them. They should last longer than that shouldn't they. Thanks for any input!!

[9ENGEL]

greetings

The fuel adjustment screw only affects wide open throttle, so that not your problem. Does it run well after it warm, and restart easier when warm?

Could be your cold timing advance, or pump timing.

[tim94f250]

Do you have any fuel leaks on top of the engine? Or anywhere else? Tim

[Mr_Roboto]

How about your cold start advance, is it working? Without that, you will get hard starting and white smoke.

With the key on, remove and replace the wire to the cold start advance solenoid. You should hear the solenoid "click" each time.

[ak_cowboy]

The cold advance is working just fine. It runs great after warmup and when restarted after warm. It is just the initial 5-10 seconds if it is not plugged in. It has been less than 20 out but I don't remember having this problem before. Now, I will give a little more background. Last summer I was running on 30% veggie oil mixed with #2 diesel. We had a cold snap that dropped to around 35. I ended up having to plug it in just to get it started. I ran all of the mix out that day and filled back up with #2. After that it was plugged in most of the time because I don't pay the electric bill and is better on the ole girl. I left it unplugged for a few weeks and it started rough and smoked a bit. I made a post on the alt fuel sections about possibly gumming up the injectors with the cold mix and was tod that it shouldn't have been too much of an issue but to run the diesel purge to clean it out anyways. So here I am. Thanks again.

[adamrmathis]

I'm fighting this same "autolite" you are but I am making headway. The truck starts well throughout the day and even after 12-15 hours, but after about 15 hours, it developes a miss and has a very rough idle at start. So far, I replaced the GP's (I now have a second set of useable GPs), I have checked and re-checked and re-checked the GP's and controller, replaced the injectors, and put in a new return line kit (taking my sweet time doing so I may add).

The biggest improvement came after I replaced the rubber seals on the steel fuel line from the filter to the IP. I got the information from Pete's gallery, and got the parts at the local Ford dealer (I have the part numbers if anyone wants them) I bought an extra set for future use. I also used thread sealer on the all the metal to metal inputs to the filter/heater assembly. I think I still have a minor air intrusion, because I still have a really rough idle at cold starts even though the rest of the system is working (CTA, CIA, and FSS are working as are the GPs).

I have the materials ready to replace the lift pump (in case of it being the source of the air although I doubt it since a leak test came up negative. I am also going to clean and service the O-ring at the fuel heater connection, and make sure the bottom of the water separator is clean and serviceable. I also understand that there is a check valve in the return line to the fuel filter, and I'll check that when I rip the assembly apart.

There are those here that will tell you a rough idle and excessive smoke is normal on a cold start up, but I think it shouldn't be. I can understand a little blue smoke, but not the smoke outs I have generated.

Anyway, sorry this was so long... hope it helps.
Adam

[Little_Richard]

I had hard starts also on my truck until I replaced the glow plug relay. I guess the relay was just not making very good contact inside.