hammerhead1394
SDD Junior Member
Hello all. I came here for advice, knowledge, and comradery. I have a wonderful son who purchased a beautiful 2001 F-350 Superduty and it has problems. He had to own one once he found out that I built the grilles (I built the actual plastic injection molds) to the 99 Super Duty and the Excursion. I hate to sit back and watch him get frustrated. He tries so hard, but the lack of knowledge is getting the best of him. I tried teaching him mechanics when he was a kid, but he was more interested in athletic sports in school. I really want to help, but I have never owned a diesel, let alone work on one. If we take it to a certified mechanic, he will never have enough money left to put fuel in it. I have worked on gas vehicles for the last 35 years. I can work on them in my sleep, and sometimes do. For the most part the vehicle is stock, except for a 50 horse box, don't even know the name of it. Even when it is plugged in and in the garage, it takes 10 - 15 minutes to start every morning. We plug this in until the outside temp is above 50 degree's. It has gone thru 4 starters in 3 months, and we are buying brand new Ford ones, not rebuilt ones. We have replaced both batteries, and both cables. Has a new alternator. The truck has the 4 wheel lever on the floor. We can shift into 4 wheel drive, lock in the hubs, but the front end never engages. The ball joints on the passenger side need to be replaced, but have heard horror stories if they are the original ones. I am extremely skidish when it comes to wiring. I have done very little, and a skematic scares me to death. So if someone is going to tell me to check a relay or test a circuit....please be very patient and through. Walk me thru it. I don't know why, but it just freaks me out. Automatic tranny...no problem. Cut tight tolerance (.0002) fuel delivery system parts for jet engines....no problem Spagetti wires...problem. Thank-you all for listening, and I appreciate any and all comments and advice. I am sure overtime I will be able to share the knowledge I have with some of you on here.
hammerhead1394. My guess on the hard starting problem is the glow plugs or the controller for them. Not hard to test. Check the glow plugs with a ohm meter and see if they are ALL about 1 ohm + or -. You need to replace any that read 0 or infinity. These give the cylinders the heat to start in the morning. You should see much better starter life with new glow plugs that all work. If this gets to you, find a good mechanic.
