couple questions about hard cold starts??

[Maloni]

Ive recently aquired a late model 99 ford f350 diesel. Its getting to be about -3 to -5 overnight, my truck with not start in the morning. If i leave it plugged in over night it will start instantly. The gpr is good and so are the gps. However the trucks batteries are only 675cca? The truck seems to be doing over pretty good though, but could it just need more ccas? What your guys thoughts?

Also a local diesel shop mentioned "morning sickness" and said it could be the injectors? But the truck does not miss a beat when its started.


Any input would be appreciated thanks

[audiocontr]

search and read up on "cold start". Could be the oil you're using, could be the glow plugs, could be worn injectors. The injectors could still have tens of thousands of miles left in them even if they are causing cold start issues.

This is all pretty common

[Maloni]

I have done a ton of reading about cold starting its not the the relay and im fairly confident its not the plugs since im not getting any white smoke while turning the truck over. Whats ur thought about the battery size?

[audiocontr]

2 675 CCA should be fine. Is it cranking slow? A weak battery will eventually slow down and die, just like starting a gas engine. If the thing cranks and cranks and cranks, but never catches, id look elsewhere. Weak batteries can effect PCM programming though.

Have you tried holding the accelerator pedal all the way down when starting? Does that work?

I'd bet its worn injectors. Pretty normal and nothing to worry about for a while.

[Maloni]

I tried to start it 3 times on a cold day with no luck on the 3rd try the batteries were really starten to struggle, Each time i was turning with truck over for about 5-6 seconds id guess. Yes i did try it with the accelerator pushed all the way in it did not help

[audiocontr]

hmm, not sure. Try giving the batteries a good charge. Rule them out. I replaced my batteries and use the old one with my Pinzgauers. They work fine for gas trucks even when they are at the end of their SD life.

[Maloni]

Ok ill get proper load test in them so i can rule them out and go from there, thanks for your time

[audiocontr]

ehh, caution there. My old red tops load tested perfect but caused issues in the SD. Remember that diesels require more force to start than gas engines so the normal rules of load testing do not apply.

You could always just replace them. Whats the date on them?

[Maloni]

Im not sure on the date there rought a year old i was told by previous owner, i can check but i can get a pair of interstates with 850cca for about 240 or costco 900cca for 200 i may just replace them since the truck is supposed to have at least 750 cca minimum

[zrain25]

Switch to synthetic oil and try that, mine use to romp at 30 degrees, it hasn't romped this winter yet and it's hit about -2. And I don't hit the pedal anymore, that usually helps starting it giving it some gas



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