F-550 only starts with ether

[powerstrokekiller]

Okay I'm doing this for a buddy. He has an F-550 with the sick point oh no. It's a 2005 and has around 60k on it. It won't start by itself. You give it a shot of ether and it cranks right up. I know how bad this is and so does he. He leaves it running when he can. Any help will definitely be appreciated.

[overl0rd]

After its been running and shut off will it fire back up? Or does it do it all the time?

[powerstrokekiller]

When it's cold. It might just be it's cold and that is exacerbating the problem. (28* this morning)

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by powerstrokekiller

When it's cold. It might just be it's cold and that is exacerbating the problem. (28* this morning)

does it matter if he plugs it in, and also, does it run smooth when it first starts cold?? and please...tell him not to use ether in that motor.....its beyond bad with the 6.0's....it can actually cause injectos to fail and pushrods to bend......amongst other things.......Marc

[powerstrokekiller]

I know he doesn't plug it in. I'm gonna have to talk to him a little more. He said it's been goin on before it got cold cuz he's been having the dealer check everything.

[wesjones]

oooh...an ether-baby.....Great for the engine!!!....We had some old 1cyl Yanmar generators at work...only one still runs...ether killed the rest...

tell your friend good luck...

wes

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by powerstrokekiller

I know he doesn't plug it in. I'm gonna have to talk to him a little more. He said it's been goin on before it got cold cuz he's been having the dealer check everything.

it should still start at 28 without being plugged in anyways....but it sounds like the glow plug module is not functioning, or there is a wiring issue assoiated with the glow plug system. that is about all i can tell from the little info you know....and i would not reccomend him messing with the glow plugs though to test it himself as they have a habbit of leaking if the connectors are disconnected and the o ring is not replaced........Marc

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by wesjones

oooh...an ether-baby.....Great for the engine!!!....We had some old 1cyl Yanmar generators at work...only one still runs...ether killed the rest...

tell your friend good luck...

wes

yea....and they get ether dependant too....wont start without it after enough times no matter what you do

[mgwerks]

Old mechanic trick for diesels - try using WD-40 instead of ether. Starts the truck but won't blow a rod therough the block.

[powerstrokekiller]

Well he's gettin rid of it. He owns a mobile home lot so he pulls a lot. He smarted up and he's gonna get one with a cummins in it. He used to have a ram 3500 with an auto. He gave it to one of his employees. He told me 200k miles and same tranny and nothing. So he's goin back to old faithful.