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[Fireman]

My dodge cranked over and fired right up in 8 degree weather the other day after sitting below 20 for two days. I bet the glow plugs are getting weak like Josh said.

 

[Bossman]

Father in laws older 7.3 has always been a cold blooded bitch too. He had new glow plugs and glow plug relay put in a few years ago and it made no difference. Josh is 100% right, avoid the ether and keep her plugged in when you can. Cycle the glow plugs several times before you try to start it. Also, I've heard that the dash light has nothing to do with how long the glow plugs are actually on. Listen for the relay clicks.

 

[smtyblt]

Yep I had the same vintage 7.3 and if you let them cycle 3-4 times she will generally crank but you have to wait about twenty seconds each time. All this is good and well but if you can plug her in it is always best.

 

[66fj40x2]

Now I remember what I was gonna tell ya' 'bout cold weather and ford's :whoops:

Always hated starting the 7.3 in cold weather. Another good investment is four or five cam position censors. Unless Ford made some improvement, they fail OFTEN. Two bolts and an easy fix but a PITA nonetheless.

I don't envy your drive across I-70 to Denver none... Have LOTS of caffeine cuz it'll suck the life right of a person. Hate that drive!

 

[KOWBOY]

DO NOT EVER EVER EVER USE ETHER!

Thanks Josh. I bought a can but ain't used it yet.

My dodge cranked over and fired right up in 8 degree weather the other day after sitting below 20 for two days.

That's great help.

Father in laws older 7.3 has always been a cold blooded bitch too. He had new glow plugs and glow plug relay put in a few years ago and it made no difference. Josh is 100% right, avoid the ether and keep her plugged in when you can. Cycle the glow plugs several times before you try to start it. Also, I've heard that the dash light has nothing to do with how long the glow plugs are actually on. Listen for the relay clicks.

I made some calls last night and coupla guys that had glow plug and/or relay issues had a "check engine light" come on. The dash light goes off after 8 seconds and the relay goes off after 15 ... very plain to hear. I cycled up to 10 times. Also tried dif'rent settin's on the tuner ... includin' the stock settin. I assume the relay is fine cuz I can hear it. Is there a way to test the glow plugs in the vehicle at Ford or somethin'??

Yep I had the same vintage 7.3 and if you let them cycle 3-4 times she will generally crank but you have to wait about twenty seconds each time. All this is good and well but if you can plug her in it is always best.

I assume once the relay clicks off after 15 seconds then it's done??

Always hated starting the 7.3 in cold weather. Another good investment is four or five cam position censors. Unless Ford made some improvement, they fail OFTEN. Two bolts and an easy fix but a PITA nonetheless.

Does that trip the "check engine light"??




It's 8 degrees here this mornin' and durin' the time it took me to type this mess, THREE diesel trucks have fired off and pulled out of the parkin' lot. And they weren't plugged in.

Ain't no electrical outlets where I wanna go!!! So I gotta buy a generator afterall?? Not for the camper but for the fawkin' block heater?

Wonder how many amps the block heater pulls and if I could plug it into an inverter in the camper???

This is bad. This is real, real bad.

 

[66fj40x2]

Does that trip the "check engine light"??

Never did on my '97, just won't start. Never had one go out while running and kill the motor. Had to read the code to confirm.

It's 8 degrees here this mornin' and durin' the time it took me to type this mess, THREE diesel trucks have fired off and pulled out of the parkin' lot. And they weren't plugged in.

Must a been Cummins (still no help, I know)

Ain't no electrical outlets where I wanna go!!! So I gotta buy a generator afterall?? Not for the camper but for the fawkin' block heater?

Wonder how many amps the block heater pulls and if I could plug it into an inverter in the camper???

This is bad. This is real, real bad.

Just let 'er idle and steal one a Butch's exhaust extensions from the shop. That 'white noise' will help ya sleep . I can check with a guy down here I've dealt with about a small RV generator. Most likely propane but he may have diesel. New or used (since you're broke).

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/466725-block-heater-current-draw.html

Looks like it's a heavy draw... 11 amps at 120 volt.

 

[Bossman]

You may have already addressed this-no time to go back and read it all right now - maybe an extra deep cycle battery on an isolator ifn' you run the cranking battery down?

 

[66fj40x2]

I have a 3000 watt Vector inverter you can have if you want to give this a shot.... And we don't have any snow or ice

 

[ClankBang]

I had a 7.3 for about 10 years and they can be ornery in the cold for sure.

I agree with others and think you should look at the glow plugs first.
Process here

It could be your tune too.
Most 7.3 guys who get there truck tuned get a cold start tune to go along with it because they can be hard to get light when cold with even a mild tune.

Last I would look at the oil that you are using.
the 7.3 has that HEUI fuel pump which is oil driven; so it is particular about the type and weight of oil especially when cold.

When mine was in top shape it would crank right up in the teens.

I also recommend getting or making a HPX it will help smooth the idle and save your #8 injector.

Hope this helps

 

[KOWBOY]

I can check with a guy down here I've dealt with about a small RV generator ...

I ain't buyin' no generator.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/466725-block-heater-current-draw.html

Looks like it's a heavy draw... 11 amps at 120 volt.

WOW ... ain't usin' no inverter neither.

You may have already addressed this-no time to go back and read it all right now - maybe an extra deep cycle battery on an isolator ifn' you run the cranking battery down?

Prob'ly would help but reckon I just won't crank it that long.

I had a 7.3 for about 10 years and they can be ornery in the cold for sure ...

Hope this helps

You sir are the WINNER!

'Preciate the hell outta the info and the links. Great stuff.

And welcome to The White Trash forum.





Meanwhile ...

Had a damned-fine drive 'cross the prairie today. First time I'd seen the sun in a week. And first time in the same period I'd seen clear, dry roads. Temperature gauge in the truck said 2 degrees at one point this mornin'. The snow out on the plains made for beautiful scenery.

'Nother 487 miles brought the total to 1723 miles ... and brought me to Brighton, CO ... and to a bar ... with a commendable chicken-fried steak.

 

[KOWBOY]

The truck's now in the hotel parkin' lot ... and plugged in.

The manager was kind enuf to unlock an exterior outlet for me.

So what's my immediate solution to this problem??

Real simple ... grab the camper and haul-ass due South until it's warm.

 

[Skrewball]

[Arnold Voice] GET TO THE KAMPA!!!! [End Arnold Voice]


If the cold starts are the only issues you had going across the country, then i am very happy!!

Enjoy the warm weather when you find it!!

 

[KOWBOY]

If the cold starts are the only issues you had going across the country, then i am very happy!!

So far ya seemed to have done good My Brother.

Ya reckon that goofy settin' to the far left on the tuner knob is the "cold start tune" that ClankBang is talkin' 'bout??

I didn't try that one.

 

[KOWBOY]

Hallmark opens up for bid'ness in two hours.

 

[66fj40x2]

So what's my immediate solution to this problem??

Real simple ... grab the camper and haul-ass due South until it's warm.

Sooooo, You're going to visit JP?

Can't wait to see the camper on 'er.

 

[KOWBOY]

Sooooo, You're going to visit JP?

Can't wait to see the camper on 'er.

Not unless he moves West along the border ... and your wait is over.



So got to the shop 'bout a half hour early but they was already buzzin' 'round inside.

Kinda cool to see my name on the sign as I walked in the door of the showroom.

 

[JCBELWOOD]

Is the tenement on wheels mounted yet??????

 

[KOWBOY]

Walked on into the shop and picked 'er outta the crowd right quick. Looked amazin'ly similar to what I had ordered.

 

[KOWBOY]

Had to empty the bed to make way for the install. Made a pile off to the side of all my worldly belongin's ... ain't much I reckon.

 

[KOWBOY]

Step one was to install this bad-ass brace 'cross the front of the bed. It reinforces the front bed panel and is secured with the "L" brackets down through the frame. The rubber bumpstops stickin' out ain't bumpstops at all ... they guide the camper in and center it. The black brackets stickin' out the side are bolted onto the inside bracket ... sandwichin' the bed panel in between.

This set-up is more stout than what held on my monster Lance cabover in my Dodge dually.