Comments: 1-15, 16-19
Had to replace Glow Plug Relay at 60,000 and again at 99,000. It seems they go bad faster than spark plugs.
Clutch cable replacement at 50,000 and clutch bushing at 99,000.
Water pump replacement at 99,000.
Overall, I'm very fond of my F250 Diesel. It's a workhorse when trailering and economical when considering only fuel costs.
I have serious heartburn with the glow plug relay however. Even after the first replacement, the truck has always been a difficult cold start. I've lived in Florida and Mississippi since I've owned it. I don't know how anyone living somewhere colder could own this truck without an engine block heater.
The other complaint is one I'm sure is shared by other diesel owners. The lack of a qualified, competent diesel mechanic outside of the Ford dealer is painful in the wallet. My dealer charges $65/hour for labor. Thus a simple glow plug relay replacement and clutch bushing replacement will cost nearly $300.
I noticed the only other F250 Diesel comment on this site had the same glow plug problem. Are there any others out there?
I also own a '96 PSD F-250. It is without a doubt the most bittersweet relationship I have. The engine is a workhorse... great mileage for such a heavy duty truck. However the cold start problems with these trucks should be absolutely embarassing to FORD. Message boards abound with the same problem... Temperatures in the 40's or below and you can expect cold start difficulties with lots of fuel burnoff once the engine turns over (i.e. lots of smelly, embarrassing white smoke pouring out of the exhaust). That is unless you replace your glow plugs/relay on a semi-annual basis which can get quite expensive. I've owned my truck for 5 years and have replace the plugs or relay or both over 4 times. Ridiculous. So much so that I would not buy another FORD with the 7.3 PSD unless there is some better way to fix the farcical cold starting problems of that engine.
I also own a '96 PSD F-250. It is without a doubt the most bittersweet relationship I have. The engine is a workhorse... great mileage for such a heavy duty truck. However the cold start problems with these trucks should be absolutely embarrassing to FORD. Message boards abound with the same problem... Temperatures in the 40's or below and you can expect cold start difficulties with lots of fuel burn-off once the engine turns over (i.e. lots of smelly, embarrassing white smoke pouring out of the exhaust). That is unless you replace your glow plugs/relay on a semi-annual basis which can get quite expensive. I've owned my truck for 5 years and have replace the plugs or relay or both over 4 times. Ridiculous. So much so that I would not buy another FORD with the 7.3 PSD unless there is some better way to fix the farcical cold starting problems of that engine.
I own a 1995 F-250 Powerstroke and I have never had any hard starting problems with it. I think that you have something else wrong than just glowplugs, and glowplug relays. The coldest I have ever tried to start my truck without being plugged in was -10 degrees. Yes way colder than recommended by Ford, the book for your truck says to plug it in under 20 degrees. Maybe you need to look into your fuel heater, it is located in the bottom of your fuel bowl. Also, here is a starting tip for you, if it is cold outside, light your glow plugs up more than once, just turn the key on until your "wait to start" light goes off, then turn it off and redo it, works quite well. My truck currently has 3 or 4 glowplugs working, and if I light the plugs up 3 times before cranking the engine, it will start at 10 degrees no problem.
Had cold-staring problems with my 2002 F250 PSD as well. Always started when plugged in, but no start if parked in freezing weather. Lot's of white smoke - unburned Diesel. Turned out to be a faulty glow plug relay - covered under engine warranty with $100 deductible at only 38,000 miles.
If the truck runs it's a great tool, unfortunately I won't buy one again. Here is why:
- clutch replaced at 8,000 miles,
- clutch master cylinder went out/replaced (cheap little plastic parts) at 34,000 miles
- motor for driver side window broke at 30,000 miles,
- center bearing in transfer case replaced at 30,000 miles
- general clunking and jerking when shifting up (Ford Dealer says this is normal!?)
Like I said, it's a great truck and I love it, but the quality of the vehicle and the cost of maintenance is not justifiable.
03/20/06
tdobbert@tmcc.edu.
Yeah responding to what your all saying I have a 1997 F350 with the 7.3 PSD and I have never replaced the glow plugs before. The truck now has well over 500,000 miles and starting is never a problem. my truck can start even when the snows blowing up here in maine and its -20. haha and pluging in the truck? my truck has no block heater.
Peace.
I have a 96' F-250 PSD with the 7.3. The truck is great I have had it for 5 years and never a problem until just recently. This truck starts great in cold weather however as soon I put the truck in gear and step on the fuel it will either shut off or shake like its about to stall out. I've changed the glow plug solenoid & the fuel filter and I got nothing. Can't figure it out. That's my only complaint. It's a great truck otherwise.
I also own a 1997 f 250 with the power-stroke diesel love the truck, but hait the starting issues I have with it blows white smoke when trying to start and if its cold forget it. I don't know what to do about it guess I wll replace relay and glow plugs and go from there.
I also own a PSD, but I own a 95, my f350 has about 250000 miles on it now and has had the glow plugs and injectors done at 200k it starts just fine until you get to about -10 then it doesn't appreciate it quite so much. But generally if you plug it in I have never had a problem, also if you plug it in there usually isn't as much smoke. I live in MN and cold starting capabilities are definitely a must for living near the northern border.
My 97 is blowing the fuse that power the glow plugs. last year I replaced the glow plugs when it did the same thing. It didn't solve the problem, so after burning out several new fuses I got frustrated and touched a piece of wire from terminal to terminal. The first couple of times it sparked and then it stopped. I put in another fuse and it has worked fine for over a year. I tried doing the same thing now and this time it does not spark. I can hear a click on the engine and the wait to start light comes on, but the wire gets hot. Any ideas? good truck, but hard on fuel. 13 mpg loaded or empty.
Have a 1994 1/2 with a powerstroke one of the few firsts having cold start issues, but other than that and the clutch bushing basically having defective design (found a fix on ebay for 40.00) no problems 351,000 miles 2wd Manual getting 19mpg city/hwy in between driving. I love the truck got it for a steal have $2000 to work in until I get to book value so it will do fine.
I have a 1997 F250 PSD with 201165 miles (purchased new 12-2006). Very good repair record. One clutch plate at 100000, that is it until this week, first set of glow plugs since new.
I live in a northern state and have started it many time at -10 and down to -30 with out it plugged in. Just cycle 2-3 times and that is it.
I'm about to, but a 1996 F250 PSD truck is very clean and had glow plugs just replaced, along with water pump and a couple more things. It has 186,000 miles; should I worry about tranny problems?...its been taken car of very well.
At 186k miles tranny problems might be iffy. It all depends if the transmission has been rebuilt or not. If it hasn't it might be a headache and a hole in you're pocket down the road. The cost to rebuilt it can range from $1.5k-3k; depending on what you have done. Its always important to know if a vehicle had such work done beforehand.
It is good to hear opinions about the PSD. I own a 96 with 104,000 on it. I've owned it for 5 years and personally have known the original owner since the day he brought it home brand new. It is the best truck I've ever bought and I'm going to keep it for the next 20 years or so. No cold start issues as I live in southern Cal and it rarely sees below 55 degrees, so I wouldn't know if the glow plugs were shot or not.
To everyone that complains about the PSD: I would like you to find a gasoline engine that will work side by side with a PSD and live as long as they do. Yes, a gasoline engine may be cheaper to maintain until you have to replace or rebuild the engine. Just remember one thing; the PSD was built and designed to be an industrial engine, so it must be taken care of.