I own a 2005 Ford f-250 6.0 Powerstroke. It has 65K miles on it. Recently, it began starting hard. The engine just turned over and over. It seems to start first thing in the morning, but after that it seems like it is getting no fuel. I took it to my mechanic and they recommended new fuel filters. Those were replaced and it did start better, but it is not starting 100% in my opinion. This is the only diesel engine I have ever owned. I am mechanically inclined, but never studied or worked on a diesel engine.

I am thinking there may be something wrong with the fuel delivery or the fuel pressure.

Can anyone advise me on what to do next. I am retired and probably cannot afford to have the dealer fix it since I am over the warranty period.

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

Dennis

 

f it starts fine when cold but is hard to start when hot then it is most likely a high presure oil leak. The HP oil leak is common and not too hard to fix, it will cost about $160 in parts to address the multiple issues that can cause this. New dummy plugs for the oil rail, new stand pipes to feed the oil rail, new snap to connect fitting/stc fittng/ on the high presure oil pump...
If you haven't checked your batteries now is a good time to do that, these trucks need healthy batteries to work right. Make sure to test your Ficm too, when they start to go it can be a pain to start, it's easy to test, there is a write up on it at the top of the 6.0 section. If it tests out low don't go out and buy a new one because it can be repaired fo a whole lot less and will be better then the new ones that are sold. The main problem with the FICM is the environmentally friendly solder they use, the solder joints can and will fail so most of the time a resolder will fix them, FICM Repair does more then resolder and they are a sponsor on this site,might not hurt to give them a call if you need yours repaired.

 

Any info you can give about the truck will help.

What's your maintenance schedule like? What type of fuel filters are you using? What about oil and oil filters? What kind and how often is it changed?

Would you say the truck has a hard time starting when the motor is warm then? It's a common problem with the 05+ motors to develop a high pressure oil leak at the STC fitting (snap to connect). These motors use a high pressure oil system that physically move plungers in the injectors in order to inject our fuel. The STC fitting was changed in 05 and it was a weak design. After miles of vibration they crack a little bit. When the motor is cold, the oil is thick, so it starts just fine, but as it heats up from running, the oil thins out and leaks more and causes the hard start. The STC fitting kit is about $50 if memory serves. If you're diving in to do that, I would also recommend adding the upgraded stand pipes and dummy plugs from Ford too, that kit will run about $120 if memory serves, again.

That would be my guess as to what is wrong, but hard to tell without more info.

Welcome to DB!

 

You treed me Bob!

 

Thats funny, I have been out cutting trees for 3 weeks from that nasty storm we had, and now I treed the master..