I have a 2016 F-250 with the 6.7L power stroke engine. It's got about 74K miles on it. Recently, I have experienced an issue where it cranks excessively before starting, but only when the engine has been warmed up to normal operating temperature (about 199 oil temp). It starts immediately when the engine is cold. Drive for 10-15 minutes and shut it off, then turn on the ignition and it cranks for several seconds before it catches and runs. I replaced both batteries in October, did an oil change shortly before that. I replaced both fuel filters at that time as well. I don't drive it much, maybe 500 miles or so since October. I have put fresh diesel in the tank a few times since then. I had to replace one of the two starter relays last week (wouldn't crank at all) but the hot start issue began before that and continued afterwards.

Checked for any codes but none recorded.

Looking for any suggestions on troubleshooting this issue myself before taking to a shop.

Fuel water filter separator is not installed correctly or is letting air in system

Fuel pump? Clogged fuel filter? Do you have a Cody reader?

Its this thing...

I keed I keed.

Mine is a gas F250 and I've had the same issue for years. Starts up every time, but for some reason does an excessive crank sometimes. Had it looked at several times and no issue has been found. I've found if I turn the key on to battery, wait 5 seconds or so then start it up, it rarely does it.

Probably just too much horsepower starting up right away.

jt2hunt said:

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Fuel water filter separator is not installed correctly or is letting air in system

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I'll take a look at that.

Deerdude said:

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Fuel pump? Clogged fuel filter? Do you have a Cody reader?

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Cody? I guess that was a typo or autocorrect. I have an OBD2 scanner, I've checked and there's been no codes recorded.
I'll probably pick up another set of fuel filters to eliminate the possibility of trash picked up after they were replaced in October.
The truck runs great, just the issue of excessive cranking on warm starts.

You try draining the blinker fluid?

Champion of Fireball said:

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You try draining the blinker fluid?

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LOL, I think it's fine.

My oldest daughter actually fell for that one in HS.

Check your fuel filters. If those are fine throw. New starter on it. That was my issue with those symptoms but more like 275,000 miles. Starter tested good but I finally changed it after a few months of being tired of the issue.

Had a 2016 with about the same symptoms. Would cold start fine but then would fast crank for a bit when it got hot. I chased the fuel thing…..filters, injectors, etc.
No codes, turned out to be a temp sensor.

Gunny456 said:

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Had a 2016 with about the same symptoms. Would cold start fine but then would fast crank for a bit when it got hot. I chased the fuel thing…..filters, injectors, etc.
No codes, turned out to be a temp sensor.

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Interesting that a sensor issue didn't generate a code.

Just called my diesel guru that helped me on mine.
He said my truck had a different issue altogether.
I read him your post and he said you have a bad drivers side fuel rail that has a bad volume control regulator in it …..or a couple of injectors that are bleeding down.
Neither of which will throw codes.
He is a sharp guy and is one the most knowledgeable people I know on regular truck diesel engines.
Hope this helps you.

My 2016 did this exact thing one time. I rolled the o-ring on one of my inline aftermarket fuel filters. The factory fuel water/separator would cause the same thing. Check both the o-ring on the housing along with the o-ring on the yellow drain valve to make sure they are not letting air in.

mini-x fan said:

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My 2016 did this exact thing one time. I rolled the o-ring on one of my inline aftermarket fuel filters. The factory fuel water/separator would cause the same thing. Check both the o-ring on the housing along with the o-ring on the yellow drain valve to make sure they are not letting air in.

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Thanks. I'll take a look at that. If that doesn't turn out to be the issue, I'll probably be looking for a local shop to check it out.

Gunny456 said:

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Just called my diesel guru that helped me on mine.
He said my truck had a different issue altogether.
I read him your post and he said you have a bad drivers side fuel rail that has a bad volume control regulator in it …..or a couple of injectors that are bleeding down.
Neither of which will throw codes.
He is a sharp guy and is one the most knowledgeable people I know on regular truck diesel engines.
Hope this helps you.

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Thanks for doing that, much appreciated!

Where are you located? I've got a great diesel guy that keeps me running. Exhaust, sheep pee, FASS system, computer alterations . He good.

Your water separator housing is not in the right location or the orings.

I had to replace the housing cap on one of mine because even with the new O-rings it wouldn't seal anymore

Deerdude said:

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Where are you located? I've got a great diesel guy that keeps me running. Exhaust, sheep pee, FASS system, computer alterations . He good.

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Livingston

Yes sir. Just trying to help in anyway.

If it turns out to be filter or housing in any way, I'd highly recommend the FASS filter system. I installed in my 18 at about 160,000 at first sign of fuel pump problems and never looked back.

I have a 2019 F 250 with 6.7 L gas engine. It cranks excessively before starting as well. Service dept at Ford dealer asked how often I start it because they couldn't find anything wrong. At the time I was only running it 2-3x per week . I am running it A lot more lately. It never fails to start but it still cranks excessively sometimes.

halfastros81 said:

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I have a 2019 F 250 with 6.7 L gas engine. It cranks excessively before starting as well. Service dept at Ford dealer asked how often I start it because they couldn't find anything wrong. At the time I was only running it 2-3x per week . I am running it A lot more lately. It never fails to start but it still cranks excessively sometimes.

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Does it crank excessively regardless of engine temp or only after it has warmed up like mine?

Col. Steve Austin said:

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halfastros81 said:

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I have a 2019 F 250 with 6.7 L gas engine. It cranks excessively before starting as well. Service dept at Ford dealer asked how often I start it because they couldn't find anything wrong. At the time I was only running it 2-3x per week . I am running it A lot more lately. It never fails to start but it still cranks excessively sometimes.

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Does it crank excessively regardless of engine temp or only after it has warmed up like mine?

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I have a gas engine and temp doesn't matter. It just does it when it wants.

Champion of Fireball said:

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You try draining the blinker fluid?

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60% of the time this works every time.

UPDATE:

I removed the DFCM bottom housing and filter to check the condition. The filter and housing were clean, no grit or other debris. The o-ring was perfectly seated in the groove as found. I reinstalled the filter and housing making sure it was firmly seated. I checked the secondary fuel filter just to make sure the lines were properly seated and latched (they were). I performed the fuel priming function to get the air out and lines full of diesel. Checked for any leaks (none found) and cranked the engine, which started immediately. I then drove it on local highways for about 25 minutes before returning home. After shutting off the engine, I waited about 10 seconds and cranked it, which yielded an immediate start. I waited about 5 minutes and tried again, it started after a couple of seconds. I went inside for 15 minutes then went back and tried again. It cranked for several seconds before catching and running. I shut it off and waited 30 seconds or so. Then I turned the key to run position without cranking and let the low pressure fuel pump run for 10-15 seconds. Then I cranked and it started almost immediately.

Not sure what to make of the above other than learning that it seems to start fine when warmed up if I let the LP fuel pump run for a few seconds before cranking the engine.

You should try cleaning off the running boards - may mess up air flow to the cabin

fullback44 said:

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You should try cleaning off the running boards - may mess up air flow to the cabin

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Check blinker fluid and clean running boards, got it!

Haven't seen any correlation of the problem with engine temp or ambient temp.

halfastros81 said:

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Haven't seen any correlation of the problem with engine temp or ambient temp.

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Engine (oil) temp settles in at 199 F driving highway speeds. Ambient temp doesn't seem to matter other than time required for engine cooldown.

Col. Steve Austin said:

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halfastros81 said:

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Haven't seen any correlation of the problem with engine temp or ambient temp.

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Engine (oil) temp settles in at 199 F driving highway speeds. Ambient temp doesn't seem to matter other than time required for engine cooldown.

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Like I posted the other day, key on halfway for 5 seconds then start seems to do fine every time. I started doing this when I noticed the issue on keyless start too.

Col. Steve,
Been following the thread. Would you like to see if I could get the man I told you about to talk with you on the phone? I have tremendous confidence in him as we race boats together and he works on lots of guys big blocks.
Kill Devil Diesel even uses him as a consultant at times. His shop specializes in Fords but he is just as knowledgeable on Cummings and Duramax. Folks bring him trucks from all over the country to have them fixed, bullet proofed, or when nobody else can fix them.....and has a long waiting list of folks bringing trucks to him.
I had him completely do a rebuild, and an extensive bullet proofing on my 2006, and it is amazing how well the truck runs now, and I had been almost ready to junk it.
He is located outside of Kansas City but is a great friend and perhaps you guys could talk and figure it out instead of you going down the rabbit hole of trying this and that.
You can PM with a phone number if interested.
Just trying to help.

Gunny, appreciate the offer very much. I'm leaning towards taking it to someone in my area. I mean I can get it started and then it runs great but I want to get it checked out real good before our next RV trip. Don't want to get stranded somewhere towing the 5th wheel.

Yeah, it doesn't seem to be an issue that will keep me from driving locally. But I want to find out the root cause and get it corrected before taking any road trips.

No problem. Just let me know if you ever want to talk with him.
He is actually coming down to our ranch in a week or two to test some props on his boat…. so if you haven't found a decent resolve maybe I could hook you guys up on the phone while he is here.
Hope you get it fixed friend.