[reggiebeme]

We have a 1994 F-350 Powerstroke with starting/running problems. It has to be cranked an extra long time to start and then sometimes it won't start at all or will start and die. We already tried changing glo plugs and the relay but if anything it got worse. We have already had to rebuild the starter once due to the long crank time. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks, Bud

 

[gregrob]

Need to get a scanner on it.

First 2 things to watch are ICP while cranking, and IPR duty cycle.

 

[Tom S]

Does, this only happen when it is hot, cold or always.

Tom

 

[reggiebeme]

We have had it to the shop many times to be hooked up to a scanner with no help what so ever. Sometimes it is a little harder to start in the cold but it seems anymore that it is almost impossible to start at any temp. Any other suggestions.

 

[Tom S]

I agree with Greg on what to look at. That being is it building enough oil pressure for the PCM to fire the injectors.

Tom

 

[Kickin Y2K]

It's one thing to have it in the shop hooked to a scanner....it's another to have someone who knows WTF they are doing with the scanner!

 

[reggiebeme]

Yeah I agree with that! We live in Alaska and no one in our area seems to know how to work on a powerstroke or how to use a scanner. Every shop wants to just "guess" where the problem is and have us throw parts and labor at it. My dad was a heavy equipment mechanic but he was pre-computerized. I guess since we can't seem to get any help we will start replacing parts ourselves and save the labor cost. Next we plan to try athe cam position sensor and if that isn't it maybe the high pressure oil pump. Does this sound like two likely failures?

 

[gregrob]

I doubt it's either.

If you're gonna start throwing parts at it you need to get Auto Enginuity.
Buy it here, best price, best support http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php?crn=135&rn=426&action=show_detail

You'll need a windows mobile device or a laptop to run it. You could swipe a cheap laptop for this purpose only for a few hundred I'm sure.

then you need to learn how to use it.

You replaced glow plugs and relay but did you verify that they are all working properly still yet?

Have you load tested the batteries? It takes a minimum rpm for it to start. If the batteries are cranking it the least bit slow it will be a slow or no go.
These engines are rediculously power hungry at startup for lots of reasons.

Check fuel pressure.

Does it smoke or miss when it starts? What color?

Don't just throw parts at it. There is enough expertise in this forum (and I'm not talking about me) to fix this problem at night with their hands tied behind their back and blind folded.

Just stick around, ask questions, and approach things in the logical manner and we'll get er fixed for ya.
I will also consult my Ford service manual DVD and see what the troubleshooting process for hard/no cold start is in case we missed something.

 

[reggiebeme]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I will keep checking in to see if anyone has some advice and to update what new info I have. Thanks to everyone that donates their time to this site to help people out of hard situations like mine

 

[reggiebeme]

Just a quick note to say that the IPR valve has been changed

 

[mattymx]

I had a hard start issue last year. I changed glow plugs and batteries. That did not help. Then I removed the battery cables and installed new ones. the old ones showed no sign of corrosion, but I did it on the advise of someone I trust. That was the problem. Even thought the cables looked OK, they were indeed failing. The truck starts better now that it ever has. If I were you, I would also look into the battery cables. I got mine from powerstrokeshop.com because they had the best price around.

 

[reggiebeme]

Thanks a lot for the advice. We are going to give that a shot. Thanks Again!

 

[Pat T.]

Check your oil rail plugs, if the o-rings are bad you will not build enough oil pressure to start. I had this probelm last year, you will be able to see if your o-rings are bad. Ford has the newer updated seals for like $7 each. Just replace all 4 of them at the same time. Drain your oil rails before hand to help keep things cleaner.