I have a 1999 F350 7.3 Diesel Jasper re-maned block 40k, New injectors, New glow plugs, New dual 850 CCA batteries and a new reduced gear starter. Still at 38o today I had to try to start it ten times before it would run and for the first 3-4 seconds it was still not happy. What else can I do? I need this thing to start in freezing temps. It has a block heater but I have no way of using it in my work parking lot.
You will likely need to plug it in to use the block heater when it gets this cold. The fuel ignites from the heat of compression alone and a near-freezing steel engine block sucks the heat out of the compressed air before it can reliably combust. Glow plugs pre-heat the air like a toaster for starting and work sufficiently well when it's not near freezing, but they can't easily compensate for ambient air that cold.
It sounds like the truck has very high mileage (just a guess). My guess is something is not right with your powerplant. The engine should start up with little difficulty at 38 degrees with fresh batteries.
Here are a couple of ideas for you.
Are there any trouble codes? If there are you will need to work through them.
Check the fuel for any water contaminants.
Check your intake (filter/leaves/debris) and exhaust (back pressure) for any restrictions. You may have cats that are partially plugged up.
Check the electric fuel pump pressure to make sure it's in spec.
Verify your oil pressure is within spec.
Change the fuel filter.
You could also have a weak glow plug relay.
Also, enter the following on youtube: 1999 ford f250/350 7.3 powerstroke poor cold starting
There are many videos out there with the same complaint, so one of those videos may have the answer.
