Is this injectors or something else?

[dcathey]

I have a 2000 F350 4x4, every winter when it drops below 50 and I haven't plugged it in, I have a time getting it started. Tons of white smoke and it just cranks and cranks but no fire. If I plug her in she fires right up. After a few minutes of driving all is well. A couple of other things I have noticed, very hesitant until its warmed up like it wont accelerate. Also when it shifts into 3rd or 4th it is very rough when it tries to accelerate until it warms up. Most recently I have been doing a little interstate driving and I will get a severe hesitation after Ive been driving for a while almost like a skip. If it does this when Im at a lower speed it almost always turns off. This is leading me to believe that it may be a harness or something electrical, any thoughts?

Note, I had the CPS done at dealership awhile back

 

[DaveBen]

Have you ever changed the glow plugs? That would be my guess, given your symptoms. White smoke on start-up is non functioning glow plugs and the incomplete combustion process.

Dave

 

[dcathey]

Never have, I have considered that but haven't pulled the trigger. Could glow plugs cause the hitch or skip when running down the interstate?

 

[DaveBen]

The clue for me was "until is was warm". This is why I suggest the glow plugs. They work on a cold engine and shut off with in two minutes of starting (or less). If there is no heat in the engine, you will need more battery power to spin the engine until it builds heat to fire the combustion process.

Dave

 

[dcathey]

Sounds good. Im going to look into getting them changed out. Any good source for good parts on this? Any tricks to make it any easier?

 

[DaveBen]

Use ONLY Motorcraft glow plugs!!! The rest are junk and will die very soon. Be on the watch for swollen glow plugs. The tips can get swollen making it difficult to remove. Do NOT break the tips off in the cylinder! You may have to remove the head to get the tip out. Damage to the pistons can happen if the tip is left in the cylinder.

Dave

 

[BIG JOE]

I have a 2000 F350 4x4, every winter when it drops below 50 and I haven't plugged it in, I have a time getting it started. Tons of white smoke and it just cranks and cranks but no fire. If I plug her in she fires right up. After a few minutes of driving all is well.

1. It's time for new glow Plugs. A diesel needs internal combustion cylinder temps of 160* (flash point of #2 diesel) to detonate the fuel. 8, WORKING GP's provide that. Without them ALL working you get the hard start w/white smoke (Unburnt fuel). Plugging it in helps provide at least SOME heat.


A couple of other things I have noticed, very hesitant until its warmed up like it wont accelerate. Also when it shifts into 3rd or 4th it is very rough when it tries to accelerate until it warms up.

2. Until the PCM recieves oil, coolant and other needed temprature data, from various sensors.. it reduces fuel delivery and transmission pressures.. resulting in reduced performance.

Most recently I have been doing a little interstate driving and I will get a severe hesitation after Ive been driving for a while almost like a skip. If it does this when Im at a lower speed it almost always turns off.

3. Isolate and Load Test each Battery.... and clean the Posts & Clamps.. REAL good.

This is leading me to believe that it may be a harness or something electrical, any thoughts?

4. Could be the fuel filter.. and/or the UVC harness needs to be replaced too.. when you R&R the Glow Plugs.

Note, I had the CPS done at dealership awhile back.

All my above .03's and are very basic and simply put.

Joe

 

[dcathey]

If I end up taking this to the local mechanic, what would be a fair expected price for this, not the stealership

 

[dcathey]

Update--- I haven't ran truck since Friday afternoon. Got in today to run to the shop, took about 5 mins to get it going, outside temp is 80 or so. When I tried cranking, every other time I turned the key it acted like it wanted to start and then every other time it would just spin and never try to turn over. My plan is to change glow plugs, Valve cover gaskets and plugs, and change CPS while Im at it. Should I do the orings on the injectors while Im in there or am I probably going to be good to go? thanks in advance

 

[Dieselpwrdredneck]

another thing to look at its when was the last time the oil was changed? these engines dont like thick gummy oil, they need nice clean oil to operate the injectors properly, just something to think about