new to diesel questions
 

ok so i bought my truck thursday and my main problem is to get it to start i need to use starting fluid. once it starts up it idles really rough and emits huge clouds of white smoke till it warms up, also for the first few miles when i get on it it smokes white also. now when i shut the truck off itll start right up no problem on it own but if it sits for over 15-20 minutes it wont start with out starting fluid. this is my first diesel and im kinda lost no one i know has really worked on them.

You have a glowplug problem,easy fix,could be simple just grabs 8 new glowplugs,but you may need a glow lug relay they go out from time to time.but beware starting fluid is hard on diesel engines,i would try to fix the glowplug quickly,how well does it start if you leave it pluged up?

if i plug it in it starts a little esier

Have you checked your glow plug relay? If not it's a relay in the valley of the motor closet to the firewall.there's two big studs, the one on the left should have constant power, the one on the right should only have powers when the key is turned forward without starting. Use a they should read the same or close somewhere around 11-12 volts.mine read 11.4-12.6


Strokin' Away

his it the early style. GP reply is on the pass side fender. next to the battery. but i will place a bet your GP's are bad and you have an air intrusion issue. any fuel leaks anywhere?

My bad missed that.


Strokin' Away

i havent noticed any leaks ill have to throw it on the lift and give it a good once over. is there any leak prone areas i should look at?

Not good idle to used starting fluid i have seen piston crack of even worst thing happen

around the top of the injectors. if it is wet there(most prone) the return lines need to be done.


but if it is all dry, do this.


quick test of glowplugs. remove electrical connector from top of plug. take a test lamp and hook the aligator end to batt +. now tought the needle end of the test lamp to the flat spade connector on the glow plug. if the light lights, plug should be good.

even having 2 or 3 plugs out will make it hard to start.

I would check the glow plugs but watch on using starting fluid cause if u ran ur glow plugs first then use starting fluid the plugs r probably done for