Our company owns a 1990 ford 2-50 with a 7.3 powerstroke. I've noticed for the last little while its been starting hard. I know it needs many other things and I was wondering if glow plugs would be on the list now? It also spits white and blue smoke. Anyone on here have this problem?

 

I had a 1995 PS and everytime it did exactly as you described, I had to replace the glow plug relay. Went through about 5 of them in 200K.

 

No Powerstrokes in 1990......it should be a 7.3 IDI. Blue smoke is burning oil and white smoke is raw fuel vapourizing in the exhaust - usually from abnormally cold combustion in cooler weather. Those IDI's really need the glow plugs to work properly on a cold engine; even when the ambient air isn't really cold......I don't know why....they have always been that way....this could explain some of the white smoke. The IDI's are well known to chew through glow plug controllers and glow plugs.

 

nope its got a powerstroke I absolutly certain of that but its not stock engine. But even so the stock was a 6.0 powerstroke.

 

It is a 7.3 IDI , they were not called powerstrokes until either 1996 or 1999 , i can't remember which.

 

I don't know my Fords but I think 93 was first year for turbo and 94 first powerstroke

 

In 1994 it was simply called a turbo diesel and then in 1995 it was referred to as a Powerstroke but was pretty much the same engine as the 1994. I owned a 94, 95, 97, 99, and a 02. The glow plug relays were notorious for going out and we replaced them frequently.

If the OEM power is in your 1990 then it is a standard 7.3. I don't know for sure about their glow plug systems but the relay, or solenoid, would be the first place I would look. Good luck

 

starama has a pretty good grasp on the history of the powerstroke.

So here's alittle more. We used to have a '94 with a powerstroke.
In 1994 ford offered 3 different diesel engines in their trucks.
1. N/A 7.3L IDI, auto or 5-speed
2. Turboed 7.3L IDI, auto or 5-speed
3. Turboed 7.3L DI, 5-speed only in 1994, but trucks those years had turbo diesel tags on them, but the motor said powerstroke on the cover over the fuel filter.

1990's had only 1 option for the diesel. N/A 7.3L IDI

The only way your 1990 has a powerstroke is someone or you put one in with all the computer and wiring harnesses. Not something I would do, but I know of people who've done it.

 

That didn't happen , the truck had a new engine installed when the last one went kapt. there was no upgrade, just a replacement.

The truck has 500 K on it now.

 

I know shes on her second engine which is a powerstoke but when i said the stock one wasn't IDI I was under the advice of a uhh " simple" family member. But I like how many people like to argue my stupid mistake