Truck Starting Symptom

[csdwarf11]

Hey guys, I have a 97 7.3 with 195k on it.


I bought it about 5 months ago and have had no problems except a run away starter due to the lower solenoid. Very happy with the truck and love it.


Its into winter now and I have been bad, I havnt been using the block heater.

My truck has been starting great, 20,30 degree days it fires right up and the engine doesn't seem to whirl over more then a couple times before its up and running(im only on the key for about a second)

I always let the glow plugs run till the WTS light goes out, then another 10 or so seconds for good measure.


The other evening I had to go pick something up(I honestly dont drive that much) My truck hadnt been started for a few days and it was 10 degrees fahrenheit. I had to crank my truck for twice as long as I usual do, I would say 2-3 seconds before the engine even fired. At this point the truck shaking more then it normally does, and I gave it a little gas to high idle, it didn't seem to respond like it normally does.

It was idling at 1000rpm fine and then after about 10 seconds it seemed to smooth out a bit, and start to run better, but not the same.

I then started to leave, went easy on the truck till it got up to temp, by the time I was out of my driveway It was running like normal.

I was just a little paranoid that something might be wrong, Is this just cold temps? or is there something else I should look into.


Thanks!

Note- Ive watched videos of 7.3 and other diesel cold starts online and I think I am very lucky as it is, My truck starts pretty much instantly with no/not much cranking required. This time it was a bit more cranking time then it has been.

but it was 10 degrees out. colder then I am used to.