Difficulty Starting 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel
 

Alright, I just joined DIESELBOMBERS today. Before buying my 6.0, I have always owned a gas operated engine. I purchased my vehicle with 113k miles, and before purchasing the truck I had an OASIS report done and the only warranty work done was a replaced alternator. I bought a 5" Turbo Back Exhaust, 6" lift, put 35" Hankook MT's, new wheels and a SCT SF3 programmer with custom tunes from Elite Diesel. I am now at 159k miles and have noticed a few issues.

First, I should say that originally I was taking my truck to the local lube house to get my maintenance done, but for the past 8 months I have been doing it myself. I change the oil every 5k-6k miles, the fuel filter between every 12k-14k miles, and service the lube points accordingly. I have never really been a motorhead, but I would like to believe I am learning.

I have the SCT SF3 Tuner, but currently my truck is returned to stock. Primarily because I am timid of screwing up my engine which so many folks have warned me about. They are saying the the 6.0 can't handle the tuners. I don't know if that is true, or not. I just don't know enough about it.

My truck has some very weird things happening. The first start is usually a little rough. The first start of the day the truck starts up quickly, but it will run rough for a few seconds, no smoke out of the exhaust. The truck runs well, accelerates well, and getting around 16-17 on the hwy. Once I shut the truck off, to go into the store, or perhaps see a customer, the next time I turn the ignition, it seems to want to start very sluggishly. It doesn't seem to fire immediately!! First I thought to add a fuel stabilizer, injector cleaner. Then I changed the fuel filter and oil. Then I read about replacing the EGR Valve, so I did it. I loaded a tune back into the PCM and it starts fine, but once I return it to stock the same problem. I check the batteries and they are reading 12.75 VDC. Could it be my fuel pump? Could it be my starter? Could it be what they call stiction on the injectors? I am at a loss here folks. No DTC codes and the truck runs fine, besides the start up!!!! It's driving me crazy, because I cant figure it out. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks