Cold Blooded Ford 6.9

[Elite1]

I have an 87' Ford Cargo Box Van, with a 6. 9 diesel. We use it as a landscape maintenance vehicle, works out great with alot of room in the back for equipment etc...

The one problem I have, is every winter it is very hard to start in the mornings... . then starts fine for the rest of the day. It doesn't like it at all when the temps get down below 50. Any suggestions on how to make this beast start easier??? Guess I could change out the glow plugs, but that is a quite expensive process. Wonder if they make some kind of electric heater for these cold blooded beasts?

 

[jmeehan]

Test the glow plugs. I forget the spec, but you can test the continuity with an OHM meter. That should tell you which ones need replacing.

Having replaced several in trucks while working at a ford dealership, I can tell you I wouldn't want to have to do any more then required in a van. I hated working on vans.

If the glow plugs are good try a block heater.

 

[JNutter]

I used to own an F250 with the 7. 3 IDI TD. One of my friends had a 7. 3 NA (he's upgraded to my old truck now) and my cousin has a 6. 9 with an ATS turbo on it. If there's one thing I've learned from being around the older Ford diesels, it that they need to have some or all of the glow plugs replaced about once a year. Sometimes they even need the glow plug controller replaced, although this is not normally a yearly thing.



I was at my cousin's house today. He was done with my skid loader and I was going to use his trailer to bring it home since I didn't have my trailer there. There was no fire when we cranked his truck. No coughing, no sputtering, nothing but a fine white mist of unburned diesel coming out of the exhaust pipe. After a few minutes with an ohm meter we found out that ALL of his glow plugs had gone bad. So we used the skid to move the trailer to a place where I could get to it with my truck. At least it's going to be near 50 degrees this week so he won't freeze when he's replacing the glow plugs.

 

[bmoeller]

Something else it could be, is the relay that energizes the GP's.



I've had to put 2 sets of GP's in mine so far. Some people by-pass the controller and use a switch and do it manually. My uncle did that in his '92.

 

[JyRO]

Just a guess...

but are you absolutely sure there's no block heater. If you were to find a plug end for one, it may be worth running it full time for winter over night. Maybe no block heater though . Yeah, you'd probably still have some issue due to the glow plugs, but the block heater would definitly improve the cold cranking condition.



- JyRO

 

[Elite1]

You are right! ... . I found a block heater, kinda buried under the battery pan! I'll try it out tonight! Thanks for the input, everyone.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

My '91 7. 3 Superduty was extremely hard starting - even with all glow plugs and relay good and the block heater plugged in. Finally the starter went bad (from cranking it over so much probably) and I replaced it with a new upgrade starter that spins the engine over a good deal faster. That was the only change made and it starts much quicker now.



Also, don't forget to replace the fuel filter if it is very old. And make sure there are no leaks around the fuel filter, lines, fittings, etc.



My 7. 3 died with water/anit-freeze in the lungs so I am ordering a Jasper reman. Love the truck, hate the engine.



Trent

 

[JyRO]

Elite1

Let us know how it works out for ya! I'm glad you found that it DID have a block heater.



- JyRO

 

[Grey Wolf]

As I remember the plugs should ohm out to around 1. 5, and usually if a few are bad the controller is still good. However if all are bad the controller is usually the culprit.

 

[big jake 1]

my 6. 9 has the Glow Plug relay bypassed and I use the push button on the dash, never let me down, also make sure the batteries are all the way charged so that the starter spins fast enough.



Never had to plug my truck in here in CA even down to low 20s.







big jake



THE FORD GUY Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[wrichards]

diesel stop

Elite 1, I have a 1991 7. 3 and have never had start problems all of the aforementioned advice is good. You need good glow plugs, controller and batteries and the truck will start fine in cold weather. Block heater is defineatley way to go on any diesel. If you want every and any question answered about your 6. 9 go to TheDieselStop.com its a board similar to this except its FREE.

 

[Scot]

The glow plug controller in the 6. 9 is notorious for failing and burning up all of the glow plugs. It is also real expennsive. Do the momentary on push button switch.



Make sure the engine is warm when you plug in the block heater. It sits a fraction of an inch away from the side of the block and can crack it if you wait until it would not start.



I know these from experience...