[dougger222]

I'm guessing your Excursion has the 7.3 Powerstroke diesel?

What kind of place looked at it? Was it a small town Ford dealership or private shop? The best thing to do if you need somebody to look at it is to bring it to either a large Ford dealership with actual diesel mechanics or bring it to a diesel shop that is reputable and has a mechanic willing to work on your vehicle.

I live in MN and have had the 99 diesel for five winters and the 00 X for it's third winter. With good charged batteries -10 unplugged the diesels start.

Here are things that can go wrong,
#1 batteries, bad batteries can make any diesel hard to start. My 99's dual batteries lasted until Feb. of 2005, long life I thought. The X's lasted until Jan of 2004. If you've got original batteries get them tested for cca.
#2 glow plug relay, about $70-100 at Ford, International does not carry the part.
#3 fuel filter heater element, had this go recently on the 210K mile pick up, only place to buy the parts was Ford $275!!!
#4 which could be the problem but rare in 99+ Powerstrokes but glow plugs. If the truck is not always started after the wts light turns off you can do premature damage to the glow plugs.