Need Help With Hard Starting Problem - Diesel Forum

OldCharro · 11-25-2005, 08:31 PM

My truck has developed a starting problem. After driving for a while and then sitting for a couple of hours its hard to start. Takes about 30 to 45 seconds of cranking before it fires up.

History:
Rebuilt IP, new injectors, new IP line kit, and lift pump all from MWFI. All installed and timed by a local diesel shop less than a year ago.

Glow plug light comes on for 8-10 sec in morming when its cold.

Factory water separater bypassed and replaced with Racor unit.

Dont know how old batteries and starter are came with truck when I bought it 3 years ago.

I dont allow fuel tanks to go below 1/2 to 1/4 tank.

Been getting down to 30,s at night, and in morning after GP turns off it starts after about 5 sec of cranking. No problem starting then.

When warm if I shut it off for less than 1/2 hr it fires right up. Only after it had been sitting for an hour or two do I get this hard stating syndrome. It started doing this last week, today I poured a cup of cool water on IP, no help. Kept cranking till it finally started.

As always many thanks for your help....Andy

cdnsarguy · 11-25-2005, 10:03 PM

Is there any air in the filter head when you can't start it. There may be an air intrusion allowing a drain off of fuel on the warm engine. Did you replace the steel line seals when you did the IP, see my gallery for a pic.

OldCharro · 11-25-2005, 10:52 PM

Thanks for the reply, dont know about air in filter head will check next time it wont start. Dont know if shop replaced steel line seals, will check this weekend for seepage.

Drove it into town this evening, on road for 30 min, came home nice and warm. Watched a movie went out 2hrs later fired right up. Only thing different was that I did NOT depress throttle during starting sequence, and man it fired QUICK.

Manual says to depress throttle pedal 1/2 way down when the temp is above 32, and all way down when temp is under 32. My question now is this to be done also when warm or just when cold? Can I be flooding it when warm? Is that possible on a diesel engine?

Many Thanks...... Andy

BuilderBob · 11-25-2005, 10:57 PM

Flooding is tough to do, but I would start saving your nickels & dimes for a pair of batteries, anything near 3 years old is subject to question.

jdkline · 11-26-2005, 02:10 AM

I'm concerned that it might be a bad hydraulic head in your injector pump. Try pouring some lukewarm water over the pump(not cold please!)next time it acts up in this manner. If it then will restart it is a bad head and you need a fresh rebuilt pump. Hopefully it is still under warranty from MWFI. It could also be air in teh system...but the no start warm is a bad sign. Good luck,
J.D.

OldCharro · 11-26-2005, 02:19 PM

JD, boy I hope its not the IP,what a pain that would be, MWFI has a good reputation for products and rebuilds. If it is will see how they are for returns. Thanks for the tips though will let you know.

BuiderBob, you might have hit that one on the head, batteries aways looked kinda small to me. Took one out to read side label, Motorcraft brand but only 750CCA and 3+ years old. Thought I read in past thread that minimum size battery should be 900CCA, and that it takes more power and statrer speed to start a warm engine? Thanks for your input.

Andy

BuilderBob · 11-26-2005, 04:00 PM

I have found 875CCA at Sam's Club (under $50ea) will work in the Minnesota climate. The size is a Group 65, there are bigger, but I like the perfect fit in the battery box.
Yes, you can spend more, and feel good about it. I prefer to spend less, and feel more better.
I replace them at 36 months, and no more.
Clean the cable ends, and your good to go.

There is nothing like a new set of batteries and a new starter, and for $12 replace the solenoid, on the fender wall.