Hi, first off I'm a newbie to diesels, I did do some searching but mostly the posts I've been reading here are about cold weather starting (<40 degF) issues; I'm in Phx. AZ area it's currently 60degsF this morning, I have a '03 F250 SuperCab 7.3L PSTD 4X4 short bed FX4, I do most of my own maintenance. I recently bought this truck in September this year and it would start up real fast maybe 1-3 seconds of cranking and it would fired right up, (outside temp was in the low 100degsF in the day, in morning 80's). I noticed lately longer startup times now that the temp is dropping off some but not sure the temp has anything to do with this issue. I decided to changed out the fuel filter 2 1/2 weeks ago this was my second maintenance item after purchasing truck, the first item done was the oil/filter change used (15W40 Motorcraft for PSD oil); after fuel filter change (no leaks in fuel filter housing around cap or fuel/water drain valve, no smoking at start up); before and after the filter change was 3-4 seconds, sometimes 5 to 6 seconds and now several weeks later more like 4 to 6 and sometimes 7-8 seconds; could this be considered a normal cold start-up time @ 60-70's deg F, the start up time does not change during the day same times when temp is in the 80-90's. I tried this morning (60 degsF) to let the glow plugs cook a bit longer, a minute after the glow plug light went out I cranked it over and it started up in 6 or 7 seconds; is it possible the fuel pump is starting to go bad or again is this possible normal? I was thinking the fuel pump pressure may be low and needs to be checked what is correct pressure and how/were do I check it? Any other ideas "what" other things to check for this symptom or "how" to check fuel pressure w/o adding a permanent fuel pressure gauge (may add one in future but not right now)? Also could this symptom be due to the Exhaust Back Pressure Sensor/Tube need cleaning? Thanks in advance for any of your help.

 

on top of the HPO res., there is a small plug. in the morning before you start it check to see if the res. is full. i don't think the EBP would cause this.

 

I checked the oil level in the HPO res. this morning, and the level is 1" from the top cover (opening of the small plug), I was not sure if this is considered full or slightly low, I did not add any oil to it not sure if it would mess up the sensor also located in the top cover (opposite side of the small plug) is this sensor a level (float) sensor? Is 1" for the top opening correct?
I also checked for oil leaks on top of manifold and there is no noticable leaks under the truck

 

i'm not sure where it's supposed to be. i said check that because if it drains back it could take a few seconds to get pressure back.

 

Anyone else have any other ideas on the hard starting issue, what to look at next?

 

If the Hpop resevoir is about an inch below the plug that is correct. First I would make sure that the Glow plug relay is transfering power to the glow plugs. Hook up a test light and turn the key to the tun position. If it is below 50 degreea they will stay on for about a minute.If there is power in and out of the relay you may need to chek some glow plug . Once it starts does it chug a little and smoke a lot of white smoke??? if so you may have a glow plug issue. You also need to inspect both high pressure oil hoses from the hpop to the cylinder heads. They are a common hard to start problems when they leak.

 

It is not chugging at all, once started runs just fine and there is no white smoke; when you say "need to inspect both high pressure oil hoses from the hpop to the cylinder heads" and "hard to start problems when they leak" is this a external leak your talking about or an internal leak, because I don't have any oil under the truck and the bottom is dry (no oil leaks). How do I check them for an internal leak? Going back to the glow plugs do you know the resistance of the plug when there cold, I could ohm them out if you thnk there could be a bad plug?

 

He's talking extenal on hpop lines, how many miles you got? If ur gettin up on miles and injectors get worn it won't start under 50 degrees unless pluged in with our heui systems that's kind of a gauge on how good or bad ur injectors are but if u get a haynes manual they have the specs on the gp's ohm wise anyways but check them first for sure

 

even then if it's 60 degs out it shouldn't be that hard starting.

 

I can relate to this problem. You might have only a few glow plugs doing what there supposed to do. I would look into replacing the glow plugs. It’s only about a 100$ bucks in parts and there is some good info on this site on how to replace them. It took me about 8 hours. I’m not a mechanic or anything but once you get down into the valve covers its pretty easy from there.