Huntin' an idle!

[Jcbmedic]

I may be in over my head here but I sure could use some advice. My '99 F250 7.3 sure is havin' trouble getting started. Outside temps don't really matter. It's 70 degrees out in the afternoon and if she's been sittin' and cold she hunts for an idle and makes some nice white smoke. When it is cold (30's) outside it takes a few attempts to even get to the rough idle and has to run for while before she has enough power to move.
If I plug in the block heater a couple hours prior to start she starts up, no problem, and runs great.
This truck is stock, new batteries and a new alternator.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. But go easy boys, I'm no mechanic!!

BTW: She's got 108K miles.

[stump0331]

aboard jc

somebody should be able to help ya out, sorry im not familiar with the 73

[pipelayerjdh]

Sounds like a glow plug problem. Check the relay beside the fuel filter housing to see if it is closing when you first turn the key on.

[mdouglas]

Sounds like it needs new glow plugs. Have you changed your air filter? Hope this helps. When the glow plugs in certain cylinders are inoperative the fuel won't ignite and it will create the white smoke. Once enough compression is built up by speed of the piston it will create more heat and start to ignite the fuel in the bad cylinders. This is why you white smoke and low power before every starts to warm up.

[Jcbmedic]

Pipelayer, if the GPR is the short one then it's working. It passed voltage for about a minute after I climbed up and got the leads on.

MD, I've cleaned the KN air filter, it looks good.

I'm sure y'all are right with the glow plugs. I'm just trying to try the small stuff first.

Any other ideas?