Got a '91 7.3, after it sits over night, it's hard to start. No return leaks, that I can see. Run's great and starts fine after you finally get it primed up the first time. Thought it might be the tank relay. Any suggestions?

 

Any of you Stroker guys have any ideas?

 

I am not a stroker guy, but would the glow plugs not heating be a possible answer?
Also, does it turn over good? IOW does it seem to crank slow? Have you had the batteries checked to make sure that they are holding a good charge?
IDK if any of this helps, I am just thinking out loud...

 

Thanks, I'm open to any suggestions. I've recently replaced the glow plugs and rewired the relay, so I'm pretty sure that they're not the issue, although it will start quicker with a little shot of brake clean or ether. The batteries are good and hot. It acts as though it looses prime, but starts after cranking on it for a while.

 

ok, then I guess that covers that
I am now thinking compression loss due to mileage. once it warms up the tolerances are tighter so it would run better then, but while it is cold, if the cylinder walls, etc are warn out then it could cause this I think...

 

i had some what of that problem with dads 89 7.3L. i changed the fuel filter on it and it hasnt lost its prime since. just a suggestion.

 

It can also lose its prime from a little one way valve that threads onto the fuel filter headder. This one way valve is threaded on the filter headder side, and is barbed on the other. The barbed side points toward the drivers side fender, and the hose that it connects to runs to the IP. This is an IH dealer part only- it costs like 7 bucks. It's a one- way valve that allows fuel to come into the fuel headder from the IP , but not to allow air to enter the IP from the headder. You can pull it off and blow through it. You should be able to blow through one side then NOT be able to blow through the other. (Easy test before you run up to the IH dealer).

Also check to make sure that your pitcock drain on the filter base isn't leaking, and that the one-wire heater that plugs onto the filter headder isn't leaking as well. Ford wants 50 bucks for the filter drain- I just JB welded it shut. The filter heater was leaking where the heater element runs into it- JB welded that as well. No more leaks, and no more hard starting.

You didn't mention- when it's cold...does it start then die, or just hard to start period? When it starts, does it smoke excessivly?

 

Fuel pump could be bad. Hole in the fuel line before the pump, ran into that chasing the same problem by dumb luck.

 

0n my 85 6.9 it was the lift pump.

 

The fuel pump relay was leaking from between the halves. I replaced it with one from "the bone yard". The truck seems to start much better now.