no start dewy morning, eaasy start warm afternoon
 

--disregard--thought my first post was lost--rob


I am new to diesel engines so please excuse my ignorance as I try to learn form this board about how to keep my Ford 250 crew cab running on the ranch. We are at 7500 feet. I bought the truck used from a good fellow who took good care of it. In Denver it started just fine all the time, except one morning it was a little sluggish. At our ranch last week, the temp was 90 in the day and 50-55 at night. In the morning it was a bear to start, especially when there was a lot of dew on the hood of the truck in the morning. Got it going one day, but not another of two I tried. Both times though later in the day, when it had dried out and temp was 80+, it started on first crank. When it does not start, lots of white smoke. Strong batteries, strong cranking, and like I said, when it dries and warms up, starts instantly. Maybe I am wrong about the dew b/c we had big time (1") plus rains every day and the truck sits out in the pasture--it started fine after a big rain as long as the temp was up outside. So maybe it is just the temp, but 50-55 degrees F is not exactly cold, or is it in the world of diesels?

Would some spray starter fluid help, and complete newbie question, if yes, where do I spray it exactly. Other suggestions--remember it starts perfectly, instantly when warm and dry outside.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Rob

Sounds like you got bad glow plugs. As far as the starting fluid, shoot a little bit down the air cleaner.

What year Ford? 1991?

If you have to use starting fluid use as little as possible. I have seen several diesels with broken ring lands and rings from its use. WD 40 spray or something similar is far safer to use as starting fluid for a diesel

what is your glowplug light doing? (wait to start?) sounds like you have some bad ones or a bad controller.. 50-55 isn't cold in the world of diesel unless the motor is a bit worn.
the white smoke should go away once it warms up, thats normal until the cyl's come up to temp.

Any updates??

how long til you have to replace glow plugs

Depends on use.

Since glow plugs are only used during cold starts they don't go bad often. An ohmmeter test will usually tell if they are good or bad. Only replace bad ones.

i'm pretty sure the GP's will run regardless of outside temp, but the hotter out it is the shorter they will run. my truck would do nothing but white smoke unless about half of them were working in ANY temp weather.