Hard Starting when air is cold

[jrcent]

2004 6.0 with 230,000 miles on engine. Done nothing to engine except general maint. Now that the air has turned cold the engine is hard to start when engine is cold ( first start in the morning). If engine is cold with warmer air it starts right up. I usually let the pre-heaters stay on for a few seconds when starting in the AM but still no start. Pre-heater light is on before start.This problem just occurred after the air turned cold in the am. ANY IDEAS?

[dagnabit9]

How cold is cold and do you plug it in at night?

[ianstew]

yep, try plugging it at night and see if she cranks fine...that will help diagnose.

[Goose350]

It could be your glow plug relay or you could just need a reflash from Ford

[jrcent]

I live in Southern CA so cold would be under 55 degrees. I have no way to plug it in. Besides, a month ago when the air was a little warmer it started fine

[jrcent]

The relay is located under the hood?

[troid123]

Originally Posted by jrcent

2004 6.0 with 230,000 miles on engine. Done nothing to engine except general maint. Now that the air has turned cold the engine is hard to start when engine is cold ( first start in the morning). If engine is cold with warmer air it starts right up. I usually let the pre-heaters stay on for a few seconds when starting in the AM but still no start. Pre-heater light is on before start.This problem just occurred after the air turned cold in the am. ANY IDEAS?

You mean glow plugs, not pre heaters. Anyways, it sounds like your problem is some where else. You should have no problem starting the truck in 55 degree weather even if the glow plugs werent working at all.

[Goose350]

Originally Posted by jrcent

The relay is located under the hood?

Yes it is under the hood but I doubt that is your problem. I would take the truck to Ford and have it reflashed with the inductive heat strategy.

[jrcent]

Let me add this. When I get home @ 8:30 pm and depart @ 6:30 AM it takes about 10 to 15 seconds of cranking to start the engine. When I arrive at work @ 8:30AM and depart @ 7:00PM the engine starts right up. And it all just started when the weather cooled. It is supposed to warm up this weekend so I will see what happens.

Thanks for all the help.

[bigbomar4]

In the morning when you first start it how does it run? Any smoke, low power, or stumble?