[mudbuster]

why do i need to use starting fluid in the morning but then it will start fine all by it self all day long?

 

[idhoho]

Cuz that big 'ol hunk of iron from Navistar is COLD through and through in the morning. You likely need new glow plugs.

 

[Spencnaz]

Plug your truck in overnight. If the truck starts easier then you need to put in a new set of glowplugs.

Stay away from the Autolite and Champion brands, they're a dirty word around here. The tips are known to swell and break off, potentially destroying the engine.

Bosch BERU and AC Delco brand glowplugs are very good.

There is one possibility that you might have an air leak in your fuel system somewhere that may be causing the hard starts.

One word of warning, be very careful with starting fluid in these engines. If that ether hits a hot glowplug, it can potentially lift a cylinder head off the block.

 

[VD350]

use a test light and test your GPs and see if thats your issue (Clamp the one end to the positive terminal on the battery and touch the tip to the top of the plug while its in the head, must be grounded, if it lights up they are good). Beru and Wellman dual coil GPs are all I'll run, I've learned my lesson.

 

[idhoho]

[ QUOTE ]
Stay away from the Autolite and Champion brands, they're a dirty word around here. The tips are known to swell and break off, potentially destroying the engine.

Bosch BERU and AC Delco brand glowplugs are very good.


[/ QUOTE ]

So, you are saying that Autolite glows are bad news eh? Crap, I just ordered a set from my favorite online parts house. Isn't autolite an OEM for these vehicles?

 

[arthurgoboom]

The Beru plugs mentioned above are the OEM, they come in a Motorcraft package. You can buy them at Autozone for around $10 each. Part number ZD1A for the spade-type connector, ZD9 for the round connector (you should have the spades on an '86 6.9).

 

[aceohearts]

When I tore down the 6.9 I'm currently rebuilding, I was pleased to find it had Beru GP's in it. However, once I got the heads removed and everything cleaned up, it appears that they weren't always Beru. At least 2 of the pistons had pretty rough surfaces and what looked like little pieces of GP embedded in them.

 

[idhoho]

Well, you guys have convinced me not to use the autolite plugs. I could have purchased ACdelco instead- they are even a little cheaper but opted for the autolite. Oh well, I'll just mail them back and get the good stuff! Better now with a tinge of regret than later with a load of cursing and misery! THANKS!!

 

[Copper]

I've had just as poor of luck with AC Delco's as I have with Autolites. Spend the extra $2 and get decent ones, that being Beru's.

 

[sle2115]

If you have an autozone around you, they have the Beru's (motorcraft) for about as good a price as I could find anywhere once you figure in shipping.

 

[idhoho]

Thanks again! I'll find the Beru brand. I fully comprehend the repercussions of crappy parts. This particular outcome is wholly scarey. I just hope that the current GP's in my engine will come out without mishap! If I do come upon a bulged plug- do you have any advice as to how to avoid getting the crap in my upper cyliner?

 

[DevoK12RS]

Two links in this post for valuable GP removal.

Devo

 

[sle2115]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks again! I'll find the Beru brand. I fully comprehend the repercussions of crappy parts. This particular outcome is wholly scarey. I just hope that the current GP's in my engine will come out without mishap! If I do come upon a bulged plug- do you have any advice as to how to avoid getting the crap in my upper cyliner?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would read THIS article.

Matter of fact, check THEM all out!