ME AGAIN, WONDERING WHAT THE COLD START PROCEDURE IS FOR THE 6.9(seems like different motors have different quirks"ANY WHO JUST CHANGED THE GLOWPLUGS(DIESEL RX) AND FOUND AIR LEAKS AT MAIN LINE GOING INTO IP FROM LIFT PUMP(2 FULL TURNS)AND METAL RETURN LINE TO FILTER HOUSING(1 1/2 TURNS)SEEMS TO HAVE STEADY STREAM OUT OF SCHRADER VALVE NOW SO I THINK AIR PROBLEM IS TAKIN CARE OF. IT FIRES RIGHT UP FOR A COUPLE SECONDS THEN YOU HAVE TO CRANK THE HECKOUT OF IT. ONCE THE TRUCK IS WARMED UP IT STARTS UP AND RUNS GREAT.ONE OTHER THING WHEN THE TRUCK FIRST STARTS UP IT TAKES A MINUTE OR SO TILL U CAN USE ANY POWER ACCESSORIES OR THE RADIO OR ANYTHING WORKS,ANY IDEAS THERE???

 

If the truck fires right up and then stalls and takes a lot of cranking to fire back up, you still have an air leak somewhere. Are you still using the factory fuel/water separator on the firewall? Those are notorious for letting air in the system. I would bypass the whole assembly if you haven't already.

I am willing to bet your issue with the radio and other power accessories is due to a cold sticky ignition tumbler. It's happened to every 80's ford I have owned. When you release the key, it doesn't fully return to the run position. If you give it a little twist back after you fire it up, everything should work fine.

 

I was wondering where the water drain was. How do you go about bypassing it,can you just buy filters with a water drain in them? As far as the accessory thing I think you nailed it right on the head. After I read that I do recall having to turn key back normally a couple of times.Anyway thanks and that helps me out a lot!!

 

It's tucked away in the corner next to the brake booster. You will see two hoses attached to it, just disconnect them and install a line connector between them to make them skip the unit. Depending on where you live, you may not even need the water separator. I bypassed the unit on my 86 several years ago and haven't had any issues. If you need one or feel you want one, you can get a replacement fuel filter with a water separator built in to it just like the 7.3 IDI's have.