Low compression is a possibility.
52 degree, hard start with white smoke.
What else aside from glow plugs cause this crap? I'm going to ohm out the glow plugs even though half are a couple months old and I'll check the Stancor relay that is maybe 3 or 4 years old. Driver's side glow plugs are probably 4 years or more old--they don't go bad that quick, do they?
4 injectors less than a year old (1, 5, 7 and 8) .
I don't blow smoke under any condition except black while standing on it, or white at cold-ish startup.
No AE test throws any codes other than coast clutch solenoid and . . . wait for it . . . seat belt light is burned out.
I spent last year plugging my truck in every night on a timer or I wouldn't be able to start it at all once it got into the 40s unless I want to do a monthly starter and battery changeout. I don't want a repeat of this and only have a couple months to figure it all out. After all this work this summer (about 4k or more), I'd hate to still have the problem I had before doing any of it.
4 injectors less than a year old (1, 5, 7 and 8) .
I don't blow smoke under any condition except black while standing on it, or white at cold-ish startup.
No AE test throws any codes other than coast clutch solenoid and . . . wait for it . . . seat belt light is burned out.
I spent last year plugging my truck in every night on a timer or I wouldn't be able to start it at all once it got into the 40s unless I want to do a monthly starter and battery changeout. I don't want a repeat of this and only have a couple months to figure it all out. After all this work this summer (about 4k or more), I'd hate to still have the problem I had before doing any of it.
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Does low compression cause a slow crank? If it lacked compression, shouldn't it spin normally, just unevenly?
It is a bit slow to crank and it looks like the voltmeter drops pretty good.
Had 15 months of unemployment in a 24 month period, during that time, I had a bad battery, so I replaced it with what I could afford--a Pep Boys battery(750CA), other one is a Bosch (950CA).
That was two years ago. This coupled with a battery that is like 3+ years.
Did a load test on the batteries with the cheese grater tester, for 10 seconds as it says on it. They both tested good, but that is with a warm truck when I got home. Maybe they're just at end of life and colder air isn't helping.
Doesn't seem like these trucks are kind to their batteries and they just don't last too long. I seem to remember reading a lot of people replacing batteries at 3 years instead of 5 or more.
On another note--I replaced a napa starter that really spun that engine with a motorcraft that spins noticably slower. I'm hoping it is a combination of a slower starter with weak batteries. I'd hate to think it is a compression issue, which I think would manifest itself in other ways, though it could be possible.
It is a bit slow to crank and it looks like the voltmeter drops pretty good.
Had 15 months of unemployment in a 24 month period, during that time, I had a bad battery, so I replaced it with what I could afford--a Pep Boys battery(750CA), other one is a Bosch (950CA).
That was two years ago. This coupled with a battery that is like 3+ years.
Did a load test on the batteries with the cheese grater tester, for 10 seconds as it says on it. They both tested good, but that is with a warm truck when I got home. Maybe they're just at end of life and colder air isn't helping.
Doesn't seem like these trucks are kind to their batteries and they just don't last too long. I seem to remember reading a lot of people replacing batteries at 3 years instead of 5 or more.
On another note--I replaced a napa starter that really spun that engine with a motorcraft that spins noticably slower. I'm hoping it is a combination of a slower starter with weak batteries. I'd hate to think it is a compression issue, which I think would manifest itself in other ways, though it could be possible.
You're absolutely right - batteries don't last long in these trucks. I didn't see where you mention slow cranking in your first post. New batteries might be the answer here. A Nippondenso style starter would be nice as well.
I'm not sure you can blame weak batteries for white smoke on startup. That might still be a glow plug or two out.
I'm not sure you can blame weak batteries for white smoke on startup. That might still be a glow plug or two out.
Slow cranking is a very real problem, and the likely culprit if you're not smoking. I never get more than three years without one of the batteries failing, and I always replace them as a set. You haven't listed year, model, mileage. I'm surprised that you have had to change the starter more than once.
Ive had this problem with my international for years. Still cant figure it out. The problem starts around 55, it cranks and smokes and when it does start it knocks really hard. If it gets below 40, it wont start at all, and I have to plug it in all the time.
It has new glow plugs, relay, and it has 2 semi batteries both rated for well over 1200cca.
Still cant figure out whats wrong with it. Wish it had an OBD-II connector so i could scan it with AE.
I agree with you, the slow cranking could be the culprit. Could you try jumping it with another car next time you start it in the morning just to give it that little extra boost? That would tell you for sure if its a slow crank issue.
It has new glow plugs, relay, and it has 2 semi batteries both rated for well over 1200cca.
Still cant figure out whats wrong with it. Wish it had an OBD-II connector so i could scan it with AE.
I agree with you, the slow cranking could be the culprit. Could you try jumping it with another car next time you start it in the morning just to give it that little extra boost? That would tell you for sure if its a slow crank issue.
It is a 99.5 250 with 368k on it.Slow cranking is a very real problem, and the likely culprit if you're not smoking. I never get more than three years without one of the batteries failing, and I always replace them as a set. You haven't listed year, model, mileage. I'm surprised that you have had to change the starter more than once.
Change the starter more than once? Read on . . .
Starting with original starter . . .
I had a no start condition and replaced the starter relay . . . that wasn't it, so I replaced the starter. That wasn't it, so I finally figured out it was the transmission range sensor.
Starter #1.
Had starter problems, truck started cranking seriously slow but the batteries were relatively new. Put in new starter and everything was fine, definitely the starter.
Starter #2.
Transmission gave it up with 304k on the clock, replaced transmission and flexplate--didn't know it was badly warped and that took the previous starter out. A month or two after putting in the new transmission, that starter must have been damaged enough to start having problems.
Bring on starter #3.
This one was a pep boys since money was non existant at the time. Truck started ok, but you could tell it wasn't going to be in it for the long haul.
This summer, between starting in the morning and the afternoon one day, it was a dramatically different start--way slower.
Oh, hai guise!! Starter #4.
And that is where we are at now.
I'm getting ready to figure out how to put an air starter off of a bus in this thing.
Correct me if im wrong, but if its smoking, doesnt that mean that your spinning the motor fast enough to get the HPOP to fire the injectors?
I bet its your relay. I had to replace mine not 3 weeks ago..... It wouldnt even start in the middle of the day when it was 85F out. That was a week after I changed out my Injector o-rings on RT's suggestion.
Now that I changed the relay, it starts first try, even in 35F temps at 330am.
I bet its your relay. I had to replace mine not 3 weeks ago..... It wouldnt even start in the middle of the day when it was 85F out. That was a week after I changed out my Injector o-rings on RT's suggestion.
Now that I changed the relay, it starts first try, even in 35F temps at 330am.
Batteries=replaced. Put in two motorcraft MAX batteries (1090CA, 850CCA).
Started the truck this afternoon in the sun on a nice day and the needle dipped almost to the line above 8. That is certainly not good.
Even though it was warm out when I got the batteries home, so it isn't a good test for a hard start, it started quicker and the voltage needle stayed in the middle of the voltage gauge.
That should be it, tomorrow morning should show me for sure.
Started the truck this afternoon in the sun on a nice day and the needle dipped almost to the line above 8. That is certainly not good.
Even though it was warm out when I got the batteries home, so it isn't a good test for a hard start, it started quicker and the voltage needle stayed in the middle of the voltage gauge.
That should be it, tomorrow morning should show me for sure.
Of course, warmer than it was yesterday morning, so it isn't a similar test.
I think the motorcraft starter just doesn't spin the engine that quick as the napa starters did.
I'll have to measure the current draw during startup after work this afternoon.
I hate the idea of it spinning slow when it is 50 degrees out. When it gets to 30 degrees, and that isn't as low as the temperature is going to get. All that means is another starter is going to have to go in it, something that spins hard and fast.
I refuse to put the block heater on every night this winter just to get going in the morning. I'll have to come up with something.
I think the motorcraft starter just doesn't spin the engine that quick as the napa starters did.
I'll have to measure the current draw during startup after work this afternoon.
I hate the idea of it spinning slow when it is 50 degrees out. When it gets to 30 degrees, and that isn't as low as the temperature is going to get. All that means is another starter is going to have to go in it, something that spins hard and fast.
I refuse to put the block heater on every night this winter just to get going in the morning. I'll have to come up with something.
I put on a gear reduction starter from DB electrical last year on my van. Spins really fast. Good price too.
I wonder if the International starter would fit the engine? My International cranks way faster than my any of my Fords have. Of course, this could be because of the gigantic $1000 batteries it takes
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Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G-LTE smartphone
That denso starter is like 400. Pricey, but if it is worth it... also have to price the gear reduction ones... all it takes is money.
Which relay im having simular problem. New batteries glow plugs glow plug relay valve cover gasket and still no start unless plugged in and sits for more then a day.Correct me if im wrong, but if its smoking, doesnt that mean that your spinning the motor fast enough to get the HPOP to fire the injectors? I bet its your relay. I had to replace mine not 3 weeks ago..... It wouldnt even start in the middle of the day when it was 85F out. That was a week after I changed out my Injector o-rings on RT's suggestion. Now that I changed the relay, it starts first try, even in 35F temps at 330am.
You should start a new thread with your issue. The last post on this thread was Sept. 26th 2012 so, I doubt you will get a response. Sorry, I don't have an answer for your question but, if you start a new thread you will likely get some responses. Good luck!Which relay im having simular problem. New batteries glow plugs glow plug relay valve cover gasket and still no start unless plugged in and sits for more then a day.
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