Long crank time to start

[bgirls]

4-6 seconds. Once started it smokes for a short time. runs fine. morning temps are below freezing and not plugged in, wait for the "wait to start light" to go out. this morning i started it and ran until the high idle started (approx 1 min) shut down and restarted 45 minutes later and it required a long crank time. after some reading here i went and did some tests.

Engine oil level, oil changed 12/28/07 102465 miles. current level is at the full mark.

HPOP oil level, 2 hrs after last running, removed top plug and oil level was at 3/4" from the top.

Injector orings, drained fuel bowl into a clean jar. fuel is clean and green.

GPR, 12v on one side. key on, 12 v on both sides for approc 1.5 minutes then cycles off. removed harnesses from the valve cover gaskets and have 12v at this end of the harness so the external harness is okay.

Glow plugs, Never have been replaced, remove the plug connectors and OHM's checked the 4 outboard pins. with the meter zeroed using the x 1 setting, readings are less than 1 ohm. (same reading for all 8 glow plugs) (meter needle swings to the right almost to zero)

Batteries, were replaced new in december 06. i have not checked cranking voltage, but it has plenty of cranking speed.

I have not plugged the block heater in for the past three years.

Please HELP.

 

[iracemine]

$5 someone says plug it in.

 

[95_stroker]

$5 someone says plug it in.

I think you may have just said it.

 

[BIG JOE]

I think you may have just said it.

Okay, I'll take the 5

Plug It In.

When temps are say.... 35 to 25*, or lower, I plug it in (on a Timer) for about 2 hours. Longer if colder


I sometimes cycle the GPs twice too.

 

[bgirls]

I will plug it in tonight but our temps will not be like they have been. The previous week was as cold and it did not take as long to start, the week prior to the last it took a long crank time with the same temp range.

I am going to get glow plugs just in case as i only have the weekend to complete the work. i can always return them. is the ohms reading i am getting with in spec and am i reading the meter correctly?

 

[sagebel]

Don't forget that the glow plug cycle is actually close to two minutes long. You can tell when they go off (truck not running) if you watch the volt meter on the dash. When power is removed from the relay, the needle will go up a volt or two. Try not starting the truck as soon as the WTS light goes out. And like ealier mentioned, give two cycles if you can't plug it in.

Scott

 

[BIG JOE]

Let us know how it starts in the AM, after being plugged in.

When a Diesel engine (gas, for that matter) gets "Cold Soaked", like if you havent started it and let it get up to operating temps.. for a day or two(?), will smoke some. Unburnt fuel, maybe a little oil..

Nature of the Beast(s).

JMO but I don't think you have anything to be concerned about.

 

[bgirls]

Thanks guys,
I will let you know what happens. it just seems so different in the last month, even my wife made notice of the crank time, and a neighbor commented on the smoking yesterday.

 

[bgirls]

Morning update: 27 degrees, plugged in all night, glow plugs through 1 cycle. the crank time does not seem any shorter but no smoke on start up. i will start plugging in during the cold, but what would be causing the extended crank times i am experiencing? this is something new in the last month.

 

[iracemine]

I'd say take your battery's out and bring them to a battery checking place (don't drive them there, not a accurate reading). just checking the voltage never works. or Shop Equipment, Battery Load Testers | Matco Tools Online Tool Catalog

yes I know you said there like a year or two old but if you use the search button more you will find that sometimes they die prematurely in these trucks.