During the past 6 months my 6.0l won't start about once a month.

Turns over forever just doesn't catch. Smoke comes out the exhaust like it's burning fuel, just doesn't catch. Leave it sit for an hour and it starts fine.

Behaves almost like the old carburetor days, behaves like it's flooded.

It doesn't appear to be a hot or cold phenomenon.

Engine runs great doesn't hesitate, run rough, etc. just wouldn't start 5-6 times in the last 6 months.

Ideas welcome!

Cheers,

Sounds like it could be a problem with oil pressure? Did a little search for you, found this article

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/6-0...not-start.html

Hope that helps. Let me know if you get it figured out!

Fixed the starting issue.

Glowplug controller fubar, which is why is would puff smoke but not start. Had that replaced and also during my troubleshooting discovered FICM was not holding up voltage during starting, which should not necessarily prevented it starting but since it was starting to fail i replaced it too.

Starts like a dream now every time with new glowplug controller and a rebuilt FICM from Swamps diesel, i had them do the increased voltage mod and had a mild performance program also. Very happy!

Tip in throttle response much improved and while it is difficult to notice much performance increase when i really put my foot down, it does behave markedly better when i'm not going for a land speed record.

Recommend the higher voltage mod for anyone thinking of getting it.

Good feedback. Thanks for posting a follow up for "the fix" . So many times people ask for help, get it fixed and don't report back with the solution to help others. Glad it's running like A-1 for you !!

Good you got er fixed, even better you told us about it!

Yeah I spent an awful lot of time reading and trolling forums trying to find a direction to start troubleshooting the issue before i started to sink money into it.

Suffice it say cranking with no start and piles of grey smoke out the tail pipe is a sign that most likely the GlowPlug controller is 'hooped'. Could also be one or more glow plugs.

After some testing glow plugs seemed fine, controller was just not activating all the time. Cleaned connections first, still no joy ordered up a new controller.

Like i said earlier i replaced the FICM too. I figured while i had my head under the hood i'd check it out too, since i was planning on getting a PHP upgrade this summer. Voltage is supposed to stay above 46 volts and mine was dropping to as low as 35 during pre-start heating. So i ordered up a re-build from Swamps and sent in my turf'd unit.

During my reading i also found that if you get crank with no smoke FICM or injectors are the first to check.

Just an FYI.

yeh thats the problem i had for awhile long cranks before it would fire and seeme like a missfire was and injector on its way out

Have done it many times!!
Google is your friend!

I've saved a ton of money, doing my due diligence and trying to fix it myself!

Because of forums like this! I've put money back in my pocket!

Amen!!!