2003 7.3 56,000 miles hard starting

[sarhvac1]

newbie to diesel eng. bought a 2003 7.3 about 1 year ago started every time first try until about 5 weeks ago since then about 2-3 times it has a hard time starting have to try 3-4 time b-4 kicksoff along with white smoke while trying to start and for a while after start. dont use truck often sometimes will sit for a couple- 4 days maybe. but this last time it happened only sat for about day .. hints sugestions would be helpful thanks in advance!!

[Buffalo444]

Originally Posted by sarhvac1

newbie to diesel eng. bought a 2003 7.3 about 1 year ago started every time first try until about 5 weeks ago since then about 2-3 times it has a hard time starting have to try 3-4 time b-4 kicksoff along with white smoke while trying to start and for a while after start. dont use truck often sometimes will sit for a couple- 4 days maybe. but this last time it happened only sat for about day .. hints sugestions would be helpful thanks in advance!!

location?

ambient temps?

Whens the last time the oil was changed? fuel filter?

[sarhvac1]

50 f northeast PA
4500 mi. since last oil change and fuel filter

[sarhvac1]

last time it happened it was probably 80 f in august b-4 today

[Buffalo444]

test your glowplug relay. a few failed glowplugs it would start rough, but i'm willing to bet your gp relay has failed and she doesn't want to start.

How old is the oil? not miles, months.

[sarhvac1]

6-7 months no longer

[Buffalo444]

Originally Posted by sarhvac1

6-7 months no longer

hmmm... still leaning towards gp relay. they can be fineky and only work every once in a while. but 4-5k is really too long to be running the oil when you dont rack up many miles....

[sarhvac1]

thanks will give that a look