7.3 idi Hot start/hard start/no start

RedHotRampage

RedHotRampage

Junior Member
Good morning Ford Barn!
Im wondering who has the experience with the 7.3 idi hot start /hard start/ no start.
I picked up my girl a few months ago.. ‘89 F350 XLT Lariat with the 7.3 idi, first owner did put an ATS turbo. Truck has 190k miles on it.

She has ran great until recently, in the morning she’ll start right up and go. Well the other day she decided she didn’t feel like starting no matter what I did and she got left where she sat for the night until my husband could come figure it out. Let me add sometimes she doesn’t do this at all sometimes she will figure no matter if she’s been ran or not. We’re in south Mississippi it’s still 80+ degrees outside.

The next morning we went with cables in hand and a volt meter. The second I turned her on the harness that goes to the glow plug relay on the top back side of the motor started smoking.. we unhooked the glow plug relay and it stopped completely.

So we sprayed her and she fired right up, she runs perfectly once she’s started
Here’s what we did once we got home: new glow plugs, new harness, manual glow plug cycle switch, we completely deleted having to use the key to cycle the plugs… she started just fine, ran her for awhile then let her sit until after dinner went out and started her again.
:confused:
I’m wondering is there anything else that could be causing the problem other than a failing IP. I still have a mechanical fuel pump.. she also got a new fuel filter. My husband the mechanic is banging his head against a wall at this point. He wants to put a electric fuel pump in.. I’m going to get my batteries load tested today. What else is everyone’s opinion.. air intrusion? Failing IP? bad batteries? Starter? My husband thinks I’m losing prime somewhere or IP.. new fuel rails have been put in.
Help me before my impatient *** starts ripping her apart lol

Thanks all!
 
You may have fixed the problem when changing the harness and glows. if you start it and it runs fine with a shot, I don't think its the fuel pump. You say the fuel rails have been changed, check all connections there.
 
We’re going to check the fuel rails next but from what we can see nothings leaking but that doesn’t exclude air intrusion..
she will not start unless I spray starter fluid by her mouth.. this only started happening Friday.. I’ve cycled these damn glow plugs a million times over the second I give her a shot she runs and she runs like she should.
I tried the water trick with IP and nothing.. I’m going to have the starter tested when I pick up new batteries
 
Just a brief note here ...

If the glow plug are working, shooting a can of DINOSAUR FARTS into the the intake may cause an unwanted outcome.

You have no WORKSHOP MANUAL for the truck?
 
I LOVED the IDI from the 6.9 through the 7.3 and the 7.3 Turbo. You seem to have most items covered. Air leaking into the fuel system rather than fuel leaking out is usually the cause for a cold no-start, but you know that.
The fast start glow plugs are always susceptible to burning out of the relay keeps them "on" for a millisecond too long.
If you decide to replace the IP -do it strictly "by the book". Trying various shortcuts will lead to losing the IP timing. Under no circumstance remove the two bolts that hold the IP mount---remove the pump from the gear--yes it is tedious, but it is the right way and saves time.
There used to be a pretty active IDI group on the internet, Mel Agne took his interest in the IDI and bought an injection pump rebuilder and modified the IDI pumps for more power---"Moose Pumps" was his name for them. This is all coming back to me as I type. I haven't worked on an IDI for almost 10 years. They were a great alternative when diesel was cheap---so was the Mercedes 5 cyl diesel, but the high cost of diesel made the gas motors more attractive--at least for me.
That IDI group used to have East Coast Rallies/ camping gettogethers--great group of people. Good luck to you.
 
Sometimes she’s fire right up sometime we got to break out the handy dandy starter fluid.. I am cycling the GPs as I should before attempting start. We aren’t spraying directly into the air filter just a little spray right outside across the opening
 
I am cycling the GPs as I should before attempting start. We aren’t spraying directly into the air filter just a little spray right outside across the opening
Click to expand...

:confused:​

STARTING FLUID and/or vapors hitting a hot glow plug(s) can cause extensive engine damage ...

I will now mind my own business and leave you alone.
 
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