1992 Ford F-250 Truck Wont Start

Tiny
SILENTFOREVER_04
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 FORD F-250
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
I have a ford f-250 diesel 7.3L With a After Market Turbo 4x4. The truck just will not start. You can get it started by spraying starting fluid in the air intake. And once it is running you can turn it off and then try and start it again and it does fine. However leave it sit overnight and you could not get it started to save your life (without starting fluid). It is pretty cold where I live also. I was told that the glow plugs might not be working. I was also told that they are under the valve covers. I want to know, is this where they are and how do you test them to see if they are bad? And is there anything special about replacing them?
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 AT 5:24 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
OLDTECH2
  • MECHANIC
  • 64 POSTS
Does this engine have mechanical fuel injection on it?

If so, the glow plugs are on top inside with the intake manifold. You just have to unplug them to check them. Measure them with a vom. They should read 1000 to 1200 ohms.

If the engine is the electronic 7.3, the glow plugs are under the valve covers. They can be checked the same as above, but you have to get the valve covers off to get at them.

If you've been starting the engine with starting fluid, I'd bet you're going to need all 8 glow plugs regardless which engine it is. The glow plugs generally don't survive starting fluid.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 AT 7:47 PM
Tiny
SILENTFOREVER_04
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
The Truck is a 7.3L Electronic Fuel injection. I was not aware that using starter fluid would ruin them, I am new to Diesels. However I don't think it matters much now anyway the person who had the truck before me always started it with starting fluid. So I am sure you are right and I will have to replace them all. One other question, the truck has a block heater, once I replace the glow plugs should I use the heater? Or will I be fine without it? I am just worried about my power bill. But if not using it means ruining something on the truck, I will use it. Thanks Much!
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Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 AT 9:09 AM

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