Diesel won't start

[targetman]

I got into my van this morning and it won't start. It's a 91' E350. The engine is turning over and there is fuel in both tanks. The fuel filter was replaced about 10,000 miles ago. The van has 155,000 miles. I don't think it's getting fuel as it's not attempting to fire. The weather this morning is 34 degrees with a wind chill of 23. It coulnd't be gelled, could it?

[ModMech]

Glow plugs. This engine will NOT start below about 80*F if the glow plugs do not work properly.

It is possible that the fuel solenoid is either not getting power, or that it is bad (VERY unlikely). You can chack for power at the large wire on top of the fuel pump (driver's side) with the key on. If you have power, crack an injector line open (5/8" open end wrench), and crank it over some. If you get fuel out of the line, your glowplugs are the problem.

At 35*F, two bad plugs will prevent the engine from starting if it is in GOOD shape, if it's suffering from miles, time, or poor maintence, even one inoperative glowplug could prevent it from starting. This is NOT because you need all 8 cylinders, but because the GP controller uses the resistance of the glowplugs (all of them togather) to figure out how long to stay on, the more you lose, the shorter a time the plugs remain on, so they do not get up to temperature.

[storm13]

have you changed your oil lately all powerstrokes fuel systems run on a oil pump if your oil loeses voscity meaning it gets too thin the pump loese prime and your fuel system will not work
just infront of yourfuel filter on the top of the moter there is a plug with a 3/8 drive square hole open and fill with oil and it will fire right off

[fordtrucksonly]

Originally Posted by storm13

have you changed your oil lately all powerstrokes fuel systems run on a oil pump if your oil loeses voscity meaning it gets too thin the pump loese prime and your fuel system will not work
just infront of yourfuel filter on the top of the moter there is a plug with a 3/8 drive square hole open and fill with oil and it will fire right off

91 would be a IDI 7.3 not a Powerstroke... So its got an Injection pump, not HPOP.