I have a 1987 F350 w/6.9L diesel. Will not start at all. Had this problem before and had the injector pump replaced with a rebuilt one. Worked for several months but still hard to start in the mornings. After a second bout of not starting I replaced the injector return lines (complete kit), primary fuel pump, fuel filter, starter, all new battery cables, fuel line from filter to injector pump, and a second rebuilt injector pump. It started like a brand new truck. that was about 4 months ago. It was hard to start two days ago, but finally got it started with a shot of starter fluid. Once started it runs fine. Today, will not start at all. I have checked for voltage at the fuel shut off in the injector pump (good). I have checked for fuel at the bleeder on the fuel filter (good). I have boosted the batteries with a charger. Turns over fine but not a hint that it wants to start.

Take the shut off valve out of the injector pump and inside the valve is a round metal body with a rubber seal on the end ,check this seal hasnt swollen and stuck ,also check inside the primary fuel filter for any transparant pieces or crystal ,this is a problem i have been getting of late with people putting this bio fuel into the tank ,it causes this crystal stuff and it damages the injector pump as it passes through the filters and solidifies in the injector pump and kills them.just though before you start pulling it apart crack off a couple of injector pipes and get assistant to crank engine throttle wide open and see if its pumping fuel first this will give you some idea what to look for ,leave this answer in your e mail box so you can get back to me later after having a look ,but please remember the time zone difference

There is a controller for the glow plugs in the middle rear of the motor.This is usually the problem on some of these models.The other thing is the glow plugs themselves.You can check them with a test light and see if they you are getting power when you turn the key on with a cold engine.If the light does not work use a multimeter.If your not getting power them it is more than likely the glow plug controller.If you are getting power then it is the glow plugs themselves.You can check these with an ohm meter.Make sure they are not open.Usually hard starting is dew to glow plugs or the controller.Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions.Good luck.

Bad glowplug timer and possibly bad glowplugs. First, check the power connection on the glowplug timer. Mine was at the top drivers side of the engine on my 1987. Although the connection is shiny, has no corrosion, sometimes it does not make connection. I added star washers between some of the wire connectors and it helped mine.

You should hear a clicking sound when the part is working and you may have a dash light that is suppose to signal you when its ready to go. You can check your glowplug wires with a testlamp until they cycle out in the timer. Testing the glowplugs themselves is a comparison process.

You can use jumper cables, just be careful not to arc the threads, and beware of melting the glowplugs. Connect the ground cable to the glowplug body and momentarily touch the top of the glowplug with the POS cable. Good glowplugs get red quickly, bad glowplugs stay dark longer and may never equal the brightness of a good glowplug.

I recommend testing at least the 4 from each bank and replacing non-performers. Then take out the other 4 and check them.

The engine only needs the glowplugs to start a cold engine. Compression takes over after that. This is why your truck runs good once you get it going. I hope you find my solution helpful and would like to know if you were successful with the repair.