Help! Possible Battery Issue???

[flyat450]

Ok, so I have a 2000 F350 SRW with the 7.3L (92k mi.) that starts and runs great when the temp. is above, say, 60F. I have two Interstate MT65 (675 CCA's) which are both not even a year old and have both been checked last week. Doing some research on forums and on Interstatebatteries.com recommends the battery with 850 CCA's.
When I went to the shop where the batteries were purchased they are saying that it is probably the starter and I wouldn't see any difference if I upgraded CCA rating to 850 or 1000. Why then will the starter turn over just fine if I get jumped off? I only get about 2-3 tries on starting and then after that the batteries begin to weaken. Seems to me the batteries are running down prematurely. There is no problem starting if block heater is plugged in and, yes, I have tested the glow plugs and all are ok Also, after the first start of the day, starting is not a problem even on cold days. I don't want to waste my money on bigger batteries if that's not the problem. Thanks in advance...

[Flatbedstroker]

I have a hard time believing nearly doubling ur CCA will "not make a differance". My dad has a 7.3 and i have a 6.0 and we both have 2 950s. I kno that first start of the day a motor can apear harder to spin over than after shes warmed up. Im not gunna try n come off as mech of the year cuz i kno alot off guys here know alot more about these trucks than me but ive farmed my entire life and been around alot of motors, especially diesel. Correct me if im wrong but if i starter is cranking hard cuz its warped or for whatever reason... Never heard of the heat of a warmed up motor makeing it start better bad starters generally dont like heat. Id bet on ur batteries. Maybe they rnt bad but if they are to small, loosing even a little bit of their balls could make them to weak


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[JSchuricht]

You basically described the exact symptoms that would occur with a undersized battery in cold weather. Put some 800+ batteries in and you should be good.

[C.Gift]

Originally Posted by JSchuricht

You basically described the exact symptoms that would occur with a undersized battery in cold weather. Put some 800+ batteries in and you should be good.

Agreed. When you use batteries rated below spec, losing even a small amount of charge will make a noticible difference. Pick up some 850 CCA batteries and you should be set!

[justinmix]

Yeah, 675 CCA is a little low. If it cranks and starts fine when you jump it then it's more then likely a battery issue. I would go with an 850 CCA battery like everyone else says.

[flyat450]

Thanks guys. That's what I was thinking but its kinda hard to argue my point when its two on one and they deal w/ this on a daily basis and I don't. However, this was a tire shop and not, what I would call, a repair facility. *Sigh* Here goes another $250...