got a deal on 97 f450 ?

[babydoll]

Present: Trying to start sequence - turn key on - wait til start light comes on for 5 to 10 seconds - voltmeter drops from 13 down to 8 volts - wait til start light goes off - voltmeter stays on 8 volts - start cranking engine - nothing happens for about 10 seconds - then engine starts hitting with a lot of smoke;
My opinion: Leaking injector o-rings - high pressure pump builds pressure and injectors try to work - not enough pressure because of o-ring seals.... seals leak off while engine sitting?
Think I need to check high-pressure pump???
Any Ideas????
Thanks!!!

[babydoll]

Update on F-450 starting issue: (OAT is 55 degrees) Turn key on and wait to start light remains on for 5 to 10 seconds/Voltmeter drops from 13 to 8 volts/Crank engine - nothing happens for about 10 seconds then get lots of smoke and engine hits but does not start/Think may be leaking injector O-rings or possible HPOP pump problem/Glow-plug system seems to be working/May have some bad glow plugs but haven't checked them yet/Any helpful advice appreciated/Thanks!

[diesel_brad]

When the wait to start light goes out, that does NOT mean the glow plugs go out.(just an idiot light) Just turn the key to run, count to 10 then start it

[babydoll]

thanks I noticed the volts stayed at about 8 even tho the light went out

[babydoll]

still have to check and see if i have leaky injector orings and or a weak hpop also going for a couple new batterys

[babydoll]

update on starting put in two new batterys and engine heater ,
will start on its own without pulling it, wont rev up for a few minutes until it warms up some seems too have a miss on at least one if not two cylinders took one of the plugs out of the head too check for hpop pressure put a line in it not much flow at cranking speed about inch of flow from end of line at least it will start without pulling it , probably because of the engine heater

[jtgf250]

I would say it started because of the new batteries. 8v seems like it would be way to low. Hell a gas engine doesnt like to start on about 9v. The white smoke at start up is most likely oil but as long as it goes away not a real big deal. If its got a lot of miles on it it may take a few minutes to warm up and settle out. I had a 97 F250 with 255k on her and you certainly couldnt just hop in and go and I had basically replaced/rebuilt everything on the top side of the block and under the valve covers except the injector o-rings. i've been told the injectors usually need rebuilding around 200k though. You may have an IPR valve issue, mounted on the back of the hpop. Your probably good now that you've got fresh batteries and the harness taken care of. I've never used my block heater even down in the low 20s, just cycled the glow plugs a few times and let her warm up once started. Good luck

[diesel_brad]

I missed the 8v thing Need at LEAST 11v to start

[mandkole]

as said, confirm the batteries-- a good pair will still show 11V during the heating cycle and start.

Then, at 240K miles and unknown maintenance history, here's what Id do/look at...

Glow Plugs/relay - They are less than $150; just plan to replace them

Harnesses - Check continuity and look for any burned pins when the valve covers are removed for GPs. A bad GP can kill a harness over time. If its suspect, replace it.

Injectors/HP Oil - A bad oring anywhere in HP oil system will usually show itself with an extended or no start when hot (hot oil is thinner and more difficult to build pressure). If extended when cold, and the GPs are good, look to the injector orings and the IPR oring.

Injector miss (hot or cold)- likely a dying injector (broken nozzle spring, worn poppet valve, bad barrel/plunger, etc). If its a dead miss and you can identify the injector, perhaps the armature is loose on the poppet-- it happens and it can be fixed with a new screw.

HPOP - not likely, they are pretty robust and I'd check everything else out first. Motor can still run good in most conditions with a weak HPOP.

If you have access to AE and can monitor idle ICP that would be helpful to identify the source and eliminate others.

[babydoll]

update new batterys , changed oil , old oil was awful dirty,
friday morning 40 deg started after about 8sec crank after letting glow plugs cycle once ,this am about half the crank time,
has 4 connectors 2 of them have bad glow plug pins one has bad glow plug and ? injector pin still have at least one dead miss , one or two glow plugs check bad with test light .I dont have anything but a cheap scan gauge and it wont connect says connecting but doesnt. work in progress I guess going too pull the covers and go from there, Im gaining anyway I think appreciate any advice/