1996 F-250 7.3 OBS 4x4 ext cab long bed cranks but won't start with smoke... what's going on?

You should put a 0-100psi gauge on your fuel pressure regulator. It sounds like you’re not getting fuel pressure to the rails. If the lines are clear and you’re not getting pressure, either your regulator is shot (not likely, they’re simple) or your fuel pump is shot.
Edit: on closer reading, I’d lean closer to not having the glow plugs functional. These engines NEED the glow plug system functional to start, especially towards the winter.

@Lennox
I’m going out today to hook up a jumper cable to the 2 large glow plug wires where the relay was, time it for 1 minute and try to start with my fuel jug hooked up…

Willow said:
@Lennox
I’m going out today to hook up a jumper cable to the 2 large glow plug wires where the relay was, time it for 1 minute and try to start with my fuel jug hooked up…

That’s a good call. Hopefully she barks up. Good luck!

@Lennox
OK, lots of smoke - Here’s what I’ve got followed by a few pics and a link to a video:

Jumped the large wires for the glow plugs for 30 seconds with the diesel can feed hooked up and tried to start a couple of times. Sounds like it’s trying to catch now so the GPR needs to be replaced. The plugs (at least some of them) are working, I can tell by the sound with ‘cold’ versus the plugs jumped.

I tested my fuel gauge by taking out the schrader valve from the regulator and blew compressed air into it and had the needle move, so the gauge and schrader valve are good.

I screwed it all back into the regulator (there’s a picture) and put the gauge against the windshield glass so I could see it. It sounded more like it wanted to fire but would not catch.

When I crank I get 0 PSI on the gauge, and it’s all snug on the regulator fitting - the needle does not even flinch on the gauge. I blew brake cleaner through all the regulator and the passages are clear and all the pieces are there (spring, screen, valve, piston, clean filter, etc…)

I also am putting in a picture of my gas can setup that goes into the low pressure side of the fuel pump to feed the bowl. Fuel is going into the bowl and getting into the cylinders, but I think I have a pressure issue and the smoke is because there’s not enough fuel getting in.

I included a picture of the smoke, don’t know how it’s still smoking so there must be at least a trickle of fuel going through the regulator (there’s no way it’s still cooking off fuel that was left) but no pressure.

At this point I suspect it is the high pressure (piston side) of the fuel pump, and will be getting my new one on Friday.

Any thoughts?

Video of it trying to start - you can’t really see the gauge but it’s not moving at all:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AK9TDzBv1TuDVR1a6

Says images are not allowed, but there’s a thread here that has them in it:

https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/crank-no-start-white-smoke.1400223/?post_id=16692519&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-16692519

@Willow
Your fuel pressure gauge should be hooked in where the Schrader valve was, not sure where you have it hooked right now.

Could be IPR… could be heating unit on the fuel bowl went south and blew a fuse

Flynn said:
Could be IPR… could be heating unit on the fuel bowl went south and blew a fuse

Fuses are good, tested several times

Flynn said:
Could be IPR… could be heating unit on the fuel bowl went south and blew a fuse

If you look at the screen shot, the IPR values are OK (I think) - don’t see the issue. How can I test this?

@Willow
Just cranked my 01 and it hit 34% its 50 degrees here and im running 5w40 can you see duty cycle on the IPR?

@Willow
If you crank it does it hold 42% or is that the high number and it drops

Jump your glow plugs and she will start up.

Zayden said:
Jump your glow plugs and she will start up.

I’m going out today to hook up a jumper cable to the 2 large glow plug wires where the relay was, time it for 1 minute and try to start with my fuel jug hooked up…

@Willow
I would keep it as simple as possible.

If you’re getting smoke, you’re getting fuel. We don’t know if it’s the right volume or pressure, but just leave that system alone for now.
Work one thing at a time.

@Zayden
Jumped and didn’t start. Sounded like there was some coughing of the engine, which is better than without the glow plugs energized.

I still get 0 PSI on a tested and known good gauge - I took the schrader valve out and hooked it all up and blew compressor air into the 1/4 npt on the schrader and the gauge moved.

Screwed the 1/4 NPT into the FPR and nothing when I crank, needle does not even twitch.

Thread with pics and a video link here:

https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/crank-no-start-white-smoke.1400223/?post_id=16692519