Dad's Powerstroke Won't Start.

We know diesels don't like cold, he is just upset because it's a new problem. It used to start below zero without being plugged in, not easily, but it would. Now it won't start below 30, and it's not like the truck has all that many miles.

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Batteries were both replaced within the last year.

I'll do some reading around superdutydiesel once my laptop feels like working again.

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sounds like the block heater or plug is toast, u can buy the plug and heater seperate, probably one of the two. u can check the volts at the plug, should read at least 110 when plugged in

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Well he said it starts fine if plugged in.

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maybe he needs new plugs?

 

That was the initial thought, and it is possible. However, he thinks the plugs would go bad kinda here and there, not all at once. He said that he had heard there is something else on these trucks that can go bad before the plugs, but causes a similar effect. He doesn't know what though. Apparently replacing all the plugs is expensive and he is hoping the problem is something else chapter.

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yeah glow plugs are expensive

 

On my PSD there is also a heater in the fuel filter element housing and an air heater before the "y-pipe" from the turbo intercooler.

In the mining industry, my uncle (for 39 yrs) and dad (for 12 yrs) were both shop foremen for Cummins Crosspoint LLC. They rebuild Onans, big rig engines and the Cummins QSK-78 18 cylinder 78 liter engines there. The only Cummins certified rebuilder for this monster on the East Coast.

Cummins Engines - Off-Highway - Mining - QSK78

In the mines they shut down a diesel and start it up using kerosene because it doesn't cold gel like diesel does. Maybe some PowerService Diesel 911 or anti-gel cetane booster fuel treatment wouldn't hurt if it is a cold fuel problem.

 

Id check the plugs man, cold starting in those temps can damage them. The block heater heats inside the combustion chamber to a suitable temp for fuel combustion otherwise the cold fuel can gel and stick to the plugs and can eventually damage them.

 

If it matters the gas stations here switch to a different type of diesel in the winter that doesn't gel till a much colder temp

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