I have a 96 6.5 td with 260k on it, and it does not like cold weather. It wont start if left outside for more than 5 hours not plugged in at 30*. I just put new glow plugs in octoberish range, and was wondering if there is something that everyone does for these trucks that i dont know? Ive had mine a year and am tired of going outside and having to worry about if my truck will start or not. It will start fine 45* and up. But lower than that, and its a no go. Any help?

 

If you have a 12v test light, take off the glow plug terminals and see if they have power running to them. You can make a manual glow plug control if you like working with electronics. If its only starting when its 45 degrees and up it sounds like there is a glow plug problem. Also, what size batteries do you have, you want 700 cca at least. There's supposed to be a fuel heater in the fuel filter housing, I don't think mine works right and it will start when its in single digits. What glow plugs did you put in, if you have 60g or the Bosch Duraterm, then the factory glow timing isn't long enough to fully heat them up.
If you want details on how to do the manual glow switch I can post them on request. (Makes a huge difference when the temp really drops)

 

I had your issues on my 95 man. 20C out, and it was probably a 45 second crank time to start.

pulled the glo plugs out, and they were so gone, the ends were pointy.

bought the factory upgraded 11g plugs, and when it go proper cold out, found those were not enough. went to 30g ones.
with two optima batteries and a manual glo plug switch, it would start at -25C not plugged in. It didn't much like that, but it'd do it if i had to.

replace your plugs. it'll fire up WAY easier.

 

I just put new oem plugs in it not to long ago. But ill check them anyway

 

The oem ones aren't as good. I recommend the Bosch Duraterm 80034 glow plug, they are self regulating so they won't overheat and are cheap, I paid a little less than $55 for eight of them shipped to my house just this last December and they did a number for me. If you do this, probably worth making a manual glow switch.

 

I worked on a '95 k2500 6.5l last month. wouldn't start anything under 40. I put the SS Diesel glow plugs in it and manual glow plug button on it and it starts like my 24v cummins.

 

Don't know if its true, but most members on this site do not like the ssdiesel glow plugs, the AC delco 60g and Bosch Duraterm 80034 seem to the the favorites. It should be noted that I have no experience with ssdiesel stuff

 

i hear all this stuff bout ssdiesel, but i don't have a single complaint bout them. I havent ran their glow plugs for more than a year, but it has never started better. but i'm sure there is better though.

 

I think the thing I hear the worst about ssdiesel are their injectors. As long as the glow plug heats up it should be good.