03 6.0 coldstarting

[Mark Smith]

Ive got a 03 6.0 with 120,000 miles that is really cold natured.Even at 90 degrees outside it has to warm up for 10 minutes before it will go without sputtering.Could this be my glowplugs or some type of sensor going out.
Appreciate any help,,, Capt.Mark, Biloxi,Ms

[mschn99]

Welcome to the forum!!!!

Generally the symptoms you described are one or more injectors acting up. Glow plugs really arent "needed" at temps warmer than 70, so they definately aren the problem. When injectors are acting like this, you have to run a computer powerbalance test to determine which are acting up. Obviously you need to do this test on a cold morning start so the injectors are actually acting up at the time.....

[Mark Smith]

Thanks alot for the info Im a knucklehead when it comes to working on my truck.Is that a major undergoing to changing the bad injectors and or having someone check them for me? Thanks, Again,,Mark S.

[mschn99]

Changing them isnt really tough in a 6.0, but its a VERY time consuming process that you need to know the steps of in order to do it. You would have to have someone else diag it for you unless you have a couple grand lying around to buy a scan tool....but i could help you change them if your decently mechanically inclined....

[Mark Smith]

Thanks alot Marc I am going to have a mechanic that a friend of mine knows take a look at doing it.Im a captain offshore out of La. and am used to working on big diesel engines on boats.That looks a little to tight and aggravating for me to screw up.I really appreciate you offering to help though.Is that something that will just gradually get worse or do I need to address it promptly if it is indeed a injector.It runs fine all day once it warms up in the morning which led me to believe glow plugs, but what do I know.Does anyone know about how much these injectors cost at all and if they make a Haynes manual for troubleshooting the 03 6.0 THANKS, Alot Mark S. Biloxi,Ms]

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by Mark Smith

Thanks alot Marc I am going to have a mechanic that a friend of mine knows take a look at doing it.Im a captain offshore out of La. and am used to working on big diesel engines on boats.That looks a little to tight and aggravating for me to screw up.I really appreciate you offering to help though.Is that something that will just gradually get worse or do I need to address it promptly if it is indeed a injector.It runs fine all day once it warms up in the morning which led me to believe glow plugs, but what do I know.Does anyone know about how much these injectors cost at all and if they make a Haynes manual for troubleshooting the 03 6.0 THANKS, Alot Mark S. Biloxi,Ms]

It will get worse, and the worst case senerio could be the injector dumping fuel when it completely fails and causing other problems, so it is something that should be addressed in the near future.....

Honestly, i dont think haynes or chiltons manuals are worth a darn....i would get the factory manual if you plan on keeping this truck for a long time. I think the injectors are about three hundred a piece, but i could be off up to a hundered either way.....