Long Starts

[RenoF250]

I have noticed my truck is taking longer and longer to start. Today it took way to long, 4 or 5 seconds. It has ~156k on it with the original glow plugs. I have not replaced them because I have the CA model with glowplug controller and I thought it was supposed to give you a SES light if any are burned out. Is that not the case?

I have a clamp on DC current meter I will check the load on the batteries before startup and see how much the GPs are drawing.

 

[platinum01]

You might be on to something with the glow plugs. Sure somebody else has some different things to check. Had something else to check but just forgot.

 

[JLDickmon]

does it "romp romp" or belch up a bunch of smoke when it does fire?

 

[sagebel]

How cold is it outside? Does it do it on all starts or just when the truck is cold? Does it sound like the engine is turning over slower? I had my starter go out and the engine took some more cranking to fire until finally it wouldn't crank anymore.

Scott

 

[Scooter]

Cold, High Pressure oil pump, Low Batteries, Fuel filter, Glow Plugs,

Those are all reasons for a slow start. If it is only when it is cold, it is probably most likely electrical, Battery and Glow plugs. If it is everytime, it is more likely fuel, pump and HPOP.

 

[Dogman]

I'd go with batterys first, Should be 750CC each. I put a set of 875CC in my truck before I went to VA for a week had no problems at all, and the temps. were in the low 30's and upper 20's.

 

[RenoF250]

It turns over about as fast as it always has. No big romp romp but it does have a cloud of grey smoke.

 

[DaveBen]

Glow plugs may need to be checked out. Grey Smoke is unburned fuel.

Dave

 

[RenoF250]

My current meter says 138A at the battery with the key on. I guess it is supposed to be over 160A just for the GPs but I am not sure my meter is correct, it has been giving some suspicious readings.

Just started it again and it was not a ton of grey smoke just a bit. My BIL had bad GPs and it was 4X as bad.

It seems like the first 4 sec it is not even trying and then it starts pretty much like it always did. Any way the oil in the HPOP reservoir could be draining down so it has to be refilled each time?

 

[roosterdiesel]

One way to rule out the GP system is to plug it in overnight and see if it starts quicker.


It sounds more like the reservoir is loosing it's prime since it's taking 4-5 secs. Pull the plug on top of the driver's side of the reservoir before starting it next time. If it's more than 1-2" low you have a leak down issue.