2002 F350 Cold start issues

[jrgicehc]

Hey Guys, got a 2002 F350 with 170k that is having some issues cold starting, it started giving me issues the end of last winter and I just lived with it then and decided I would fix it before this winter. it has got progressively worse and I have been having problems all the way up to 70 degrees. when I cold start it in the morning it runs unless it is real cold and pumps smoke.

I got out there today and ohm'd out my glow plugs, they all were around the same, what should i get for a reading on this? i got readings from .03 to .08 ohms, I was backprobing the connector at the valve cover and had the other end on ground. I then went on to check my GPR operation and it was kicking on correctly, but it was staying on for a real long time, i would say between a minute and a half to two minutes. air temp was somewhere around 70 degrees and the block couldnt have been colder than 50. is it normal for the plugs to run that long in that warm of temps? for you guys that know what is normal, what do you think my issue is?

[NCHornet]

Yes it is normal, the time they are on has nothing to do with WTS light on the dash. The time is increased depending on ambient temps for up to two minutes when really cold. Does the engine crank, and not fire? What are your volts at the battery while cranking? Any issues once it actually starts? Check the above and let me know, also check the oil level in the HPOP there is a plug on the top right, the level should be within a 1/2 inch from the bottom of the threads in the hole. You can PM me as I don't get back in here as often as I would like.

NCH

[jrgicehc]

Thanks for the reply, I realize the WTS light is a dummy but i think its weird that the plugs are coming on for that long when it is 70 degrees out. the engine fires and runs but smokes like crazy and runs real rough for a few minutes. My battery voltage is around 11.4 with the glow plugs on and comes back up to 12.2 or 12.3 when they click off. the truck has two new batteries as of november of last year and they are each 950CCA if i remember correctly. I checked the oil level in the pump and it was within spec.