I have an early 03 F250 King Ranch 4X4 with 174,000 on it. I bought it with 160,000 on it. The truck runs fine after warm up. It also starts after a one second crank. After a cold start even at 70 degrees it runs rough and lopes like a gas motor with a cam. It sounds like it's running on 4 cylinders and will barely pull itself if you try to drive it. If you plug it in all night or let it warm up it runs fine. It also rattles and knocks if it is down around 40 degrees but goes away after a minute or two of warm up. Truck is stock.
At 158,000 it had a high pressure pump, ICP sensor and connector and IPR regulator installed. I run Motorcraft 15/40 oil and Motorcraft filters. Glow plugs test good as does the GPCM. At 80 degrees they stay on for 40 seconds. I have 47.6 to 48.4 on the FICM test. I do not have a scanner but it has never had any codes. It's been checked three times for codes in the last two years. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Got a bottle of Archoil today and put it in. We'll see if it helps in the morning. Couldn't find any Rev-x here locally.

 

what state do you live in? are you using Oem oil filter cap and motorcraft filter?

 

Motorcraft 15/40 oil, stock cap and all Motorcraft filters. I live in Oklahoma. I drove it this morning and it it ran a little better after the first start of the day but when the glow plugs went off it would barely pull itself. After it warms up for a couple minutes it runs great. I'm getting about 17 miles per gallon. Only problem is the cold start (70 degrees) problem. I bought the truck two years ago and it it has been that way since I bought it. Much better if I plug it in but shouldn't have to at these temps.

 

I would try running rotella t6 5w-40.. along with archoil 9100.

 

I've got about 150 miles on the Archoil and plan to change to Rotella T6 next oil change. I'm also going to try Rev-X at the next oil change.

 

Is there anything outside of glow plugs, GPCM, FICM and injector stiction that would cause poor cold engine performance?

 

Archoil is starting to work. I was able to drive off in the truck on a 55 degree morning! I have also noticed an improvement in the gas mileage. I'll be taking the truck on a 600 mile round trip in a few days and will know for sure on the mileage increase.