1996 F-250 Ford Diesel

Here we go. Anyone know anything about a 1996 F-250 turbo diesel. If mine sits for a week or more it is really hard to start. Sometimes I use starting fluid to get it to run. Turning the key off and on to worm up the heaters doesn't work. It seems like the fuel drains back to the tank. It does not blow black smoke when started. Turbo is working great. After I have driven it a couple of times during the week it seems to start within about 20 to 30 turnovers. I'm thinking heaters if there is any ejector pump. Need some help...... :uhoh:

Here we go. Anyone know anything about a 1996 F-250 turbo diesel. If mine sits for a week or more it is really hard to start. Sometimes I use starting fluid to get it to run. Turning the key off and on to worm up the heaters doesn't work. It seems like the fuel drains back to the tank. It does not blow black smoke when started. Turbo is working great. After I have driven it a couple of times during the week it seems to start within about 20 to 30 turnovers. I'm thinking heaters if there is any ejector pump. Need some help...... :uhoh:
Being a 96, im guessing that its a powerstroke engine. I think they came out in 95, and they discontinued the old 7.3 then but im not real sure. If it is a powerstroke, it doesnt have an injector pump, its electronically controlled direct injection. Any way, you may be right about the fuel leaking down. Check all the lines, and filter for leaks, or somewhere it could be sucking air. Bad glow plugs can cause hard starting. If this checks out ok, you might want to take it somewhere where they can run the diagnostics on the computer, and injection system. (Welcome to the age of electronics, you cant get away from it, not even on the diesels) I fixed one for a friend that had the same symptoms, and when we had the diagnostics ran, it was the throttle position sensor. Dont touch the accelerater when youre starting it, this can confuse the computer. Good luck, and some words of caution!!!!!!!! Be careful with that ether, if thats what youre using for a starting fluid! Ether and glow plugs dont mix!!! Ether is extremely volatile, and flamable. It doesnt take much to light it off, thats why its a good starting fluid. But the hot glow plug can cause it to ignite way before the piston gets to tdc . It can do serious engine damage. Ive seen it break pistons, bend rods, blow head gaskets, and break rings , just to name a few. If its got a block heater , use that when it gets cold. The power it uses, is still cheaper than starters and batteries. Besides, its nice to have warm air blowing as soon as it starts.
Later
Ed

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Thanks much, It is a power stroke and yes I have had a run in with the ether. I use a little WD40. It works great when it want start at all just sets there and turns over, and over. Ill do some more checking and let you know what I find.
Thanks Stan

Just an UPDATE Did find if I do not touch the fuel pedal the truck starts in about 15 turns overs. I do turn the switch on 2 times to make sure what heaters that are working heat up a little more. seams to start better but will change the heaters to make sure. :grinno:

Just an UPDATE Did find if I do not touch the fuel pedal the truck starts in about 15 turns overs. I do turn the switch on 2 times to make sure what heaters that are working heat up a little more. seams to start better but will change the heaters to make sure. :grinno:
Thanks for letting us know. WD40 is a good starting aid. Almost any spray lubricant will work, as well as most carb. cleaners (dont try brakekleen, most of them are non flammable). I have even used spray paint when i didnt have anything else, it works too. lol You can check the glow plugs with an ohm meter, a bad plug will show open circuit, and a good one will show continuity, usually around 1/2 ohm You can also unplug em and check em individually, with an ammeter, or a powered test light. theyre either good or bad, never in between. It sounds like you dont use the truck alot. The glow plugs may be carboned up, because they seldom get hot enough to burn off the carbon. A clean plug will glow red, the carbon acts as an insulater, and can cause hard starting. Check a few of em, if theyre dirty , cleaning them will help. Just got through cleaning a set for a friend, on an older 7.3 . It starts like a new one now. Good luck
Later
Ed
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Stanone,

You have a 7.3L Power Stroke diesel in your '96, they came out in late '94 for the '95 MY vehicles, and were installed in mid-'94 in VANS only.

The glow plugs on THIS engine are VERY VERY durable. Typically they last as long as the engine. The older engines did require routine glow plug replacements, these DO NOT.

There are two possible causes of long crank times before starting:

1) Fuel pressure not being maintained

2) Oil pressure not building.

The injectors are powered by high pressure OIL, there is NO injection pump.

Does the engine run smoothly once it starts, or does it stumble for a few minutes afterwards? If it is smooth, suspect a FUEL issue, if it stumbles suspect an OIL issue (High Pressure system).

Thanks for the onfo. Engine starts ans stumbles a little when it starts, but I figure it was just they way it does. After it runs for a while and warms up it sounds like it misses, but with and engine like that I cant really tell weather it is missing or that is they way it sounds. Im used to the old 92 I had which sounds like it was going to come out of the hood. More later....
Thanks Stan