1985 Diesel Ranger cranks but won't start!

[Greenhorn]

Hey all, getting frustrated with my thus-far great little truck:

Truck wasn't starting very well, so I just paid a hefty sum to get the glow plugs replaced (a little tough to find, thus the price), and got the non-working block heater replaced (it's cold out and figured it wouldn't hurt.).
It started great, filled up the tank then drove 300km home (was on vacation, yeehaw), parked in the driveway, went to bed.
Woke up the next day, plug in the block heater for an hour so she's nice and warm, go to start and it's just like it was before I got the glowplugs replaced: turns over no problem, little bit of exhaust shooting out, but won't kick on worth a darn. It has about 40% of a tank of fuel left.
I'm thinking since the glow plug system works, could it be the fuel? Is it possible to lose prime but still be able to drive it without stalling it?
Any help is appreciated, I want to get to the bottom of this!!

 

[The83RangerMan]

do u have a tank warmer i bet ur diesel is gelling up and just not makin it to the engine stick a heat light on the tank for an hour or two than try it

 

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Well, it could be any number of problems, so we need to start trouble shooting the system. First, is your glow plug system on a push button?

 

[Greenhorn]

Yep, it's a push button deal.
Not sure if my fuel would gel, it's winter diesel and it only really got down to 0 degrees celsius last night..

 

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Yep, it's a push button deal.
Not sure if my fuel would gel, it's winter diesel and it only really got down to 0 degrees celsius last night..

I would highly doubt that it is a fuel issue. My guess is you burned up your glow plugs. These plugs are a super quick glow plug, so anything longer than 3 seconds at 12 volts will burn them up.

Another issue may be you are not getting fuel. you can crack the primer screw to check to see if you are getting fuel.

 

[predator]

did you pull the cold start knob out before you tried to start it? might be air in the fuel lines, check the fittings on the fuel lines and see if one is leaking..

 

[Greenhorn]

Bummer about the glowplugs. I imagine it's quite likely with that manual switch and all... and thanks for the fuel ideas, I'll get going on that... thanks for all the input everyone!!

 

[Diesel Ranger]

DON"T GET THE OVERPRICED FORD GLOWPLUGS!!!!!!!!

My GlowPlugs went out in my 86 2.3 Turbo Diesel and LMC thought they had the right glow plugs but didn't and sent me the ones for the 2.2 perkins diesel ranger, which are super cheap and way easier to find....


Try a snort of ether and it should start right up... I started mine on ether alone for 2 months until I got the glow plug issue resolved.....

If it doesn't start then its a fuel issue......

 

[4D55 Performance Inc]

DON"T GET THE OVERPRICED FORD GLOWPLUGS!!!!!!!!

My GlowPlugs went out in my 86 2.3 Turbo Diesel and LMC thought they had the right glow plugs but didn't and sent me the ones for the 2.2 perkins diesel ranger, which are super cheap and way easier to find....


Try a snort of ether and it should start right up... I started mine on ether alone for 2 months until I got the glow plug issue resolved.....

If it doesn't start then its a fuel issue......

Whatever you do do not use ether. It will destroy your engine. Go through the proper trouble shooting procedures and fix the issue.

 

[Diesel Ranger]

In my defense, it was only when it was 60+ degrees this summer when i used it and it was just a small squirt into my airrfilter on the cold start, and it was either that or walk.....

BUT I FIXED THE PROBLEM CAUSE I KNEW IT ISN'T BEST FOR THE ENGINE, BUT IT WORKS IN A PINCH!!!!!!!

 

[CHKNFKR]

my guess is its the fuel. even "winter" diesel will leave you stranded if you don't use an anti gel in the winter months. ask me how i know....

this winter i've plugged up three fuel filters. thats plugging in at night, using anti gel in the tank, and cycling my plugs. your best bet is to park in a garage at night if you can. I had success pouring hot water over my fuel filter housing and lines to take care of gelling issues in a pinch.

 

[predator]

did this get resolved? updates?