Newbie with questions

azquadman · #1 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 07:16 AM

Hello:
Purchased a 96 E-350 with 7.3 PSD 92,000 miles one owner,no records (ha,ha)
I am in Mesa Arizona and also Show Low Arizona 6500 ft.
Van runs well both in the valley and the mountians.
Temp guage on the dash just barley gets above the n in normal running all day is this common?
Has a 110 volt plug for what is refered to as a block heater,are you heating the block or the water and will this help it start in the mountians
Starts fine in the valley but now will not start very well at 6500 ft with a 55 degree heat,started o.k. at 65 degree heat in mountians.
When I go to start it either in the mountians or the valley the wait to start light stays on about 5 seconds?
Gets about 16 mpg all the time?
Please comment on any or all questions.
Thank you in advance for the information.
DR

jfines@cox.net · #2 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 07:40 AM

Greetings from another Mesa powerstroker.

To me it sounds like either your glow plug relay is bad, or a few of your glow plugs.

But with the Wait to Start light only lasting 5 seconds, I vote Relay.

I just came from Showlow and even though my engine ran all the way from Heber, when I stopped for lunch, I still had to wait for atleast 20-30 seconds.

If you need any other help. Altough I am not a Tech,I am usually around town. Just PM me and I can try to help you out.

**Evil Eye** · #3 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 09:06 AM

from a fellow Zonie! I can't help you with your problem because I have a 6.0L, but it sounds like Jody may be on to something...

**ABOBB** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 04:06 PM

Welcome to Powerstroke.org

Blue01F250 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 04:29 PM

Welcome to the .org!! The block heater helps do just that, heat the block so that it will be warm and help in the ignition of the diesel fuel..

the wait to start light is supposed to delay for a bit to allow the glow plugs to heat up enough to ignite the diesel...

one of the tech's here said he would plug in the truck or start taking special precautions when temps are below 35 degrees

16 mpg isn't too bad and seems pretty normal

Glad to have ya here!