My 1991 F350 diesel has starting problems if it is not started every day. If she starts it every day it runs great. 5 second start, smooth running and no problems like overheating or anything, plenty of power. My wife uses the truck for the farm. She forgets to start if if she is not using it daily.

What she does. The plug lite goes off. I have the peddle half way down (no it is not flooded). Start to crank and it cranks on and on without starting. Occasionally it does start, but runs rough for a few seconds (less than 10) and dies. Then it will not start at all. This has been happening for 2 years. Just could not afford to fix anything.

The block heater is always plugged in. Just put a new starter on it (killed the old one cranking too much). Glow plugs are a year old. Had the gaskets replaced recently (finally) and fuel was leaking and a mechanic repaired everything on the fuel lines.

Any suggestions on what to tell a mechanic. Money is VERY tight. Thanks

 

Mine does same thing. Both of my batteries are very near the end of their stated service/warranty life of 7 years. If I charge them up real hard overnight at the 10 amp charger setting, they are good to go the next morning. 2-3 days later they can't light her up anymore.
I don't even want to know how much 2 of those bad boys cost.

 

My batteries are 18 months old, into the 7 years on the label. Charging them does not have any effect on this starting.

 

Sounds like you have the same problem I have. The line from the low pressure pump into the filter is allowing air to bleed into the line when it sits, and when you begin to start, pushes air into the filter. At least, air is entering the system somewhere. Mine isn't quite that bad -- I can start it once a week and it will start OK. I just haven't replaced the line from the LP pump to the filter yet. Just know that air is entering the system somewhere.

 

Gave up. Took my '97 7.3 to my mechanic of 25 years. He replaced all fluids, diesel filter, diesel pump, injector o-rings, glow plugs, glow plug controller, flushed out entire fuel system. Truck sits fir 10-15 minutes, it still cranks fir a long time....20 sec or so a few times before starting. Over night it may take 20 minutes to start. Fuel or oil pressure seem likely. Motherboard no help as it us a remfg and will not display codes. Anyone know of good supplier of motherboards? Once started, truck sounds like new engine. Only 120k orig miles, I bought it new. No bad treatment. Well maintained. Stumped.

 

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the powerstroke diesel. They have a different fuel delivery system from the older diesels. However, I would still suspect air entering the system somewhere. Look for flexible fuel hose with a relatively sharp bend. You can't usually see deterioration in the hose because of the fiber outside layer of the hose.

Except for the diesel pump, the service done by your mech. is normal service for a diesel that old. Mine is a 93, with just over 110,000 miles on it, and I've done all that myself except for the main pump. BW

 

hope this helps someone else. Culprit was black & green algee throughout my fuel system. Once the parts were replaced AND the fuel line back flushed, truck runs like a new one...on the other fuel tank. Now to remove both tanks and clean them thoroughly. BTW, now that I'm retired and no longer need the heavy hauling capacity of the F-450, and that HARD ride....I'm going to put lighter springs all around, remove the big flat bed and mfg a smaller, lighter bed.