Diesel Doctor

1993 6.5 td. its been surging/ hard starting for a while. I know the fast idle switch doesnt work, but it been getting worse. I get allot of raw fuel (white smoke) when the trucks first fired. Unless the trucks pluged in, the outside temp doesnt make a differance. Im guessing thats a glow plug problem?

Problem 2: when driving the truck it had a surging problem at a steddy peddel, even if you use the cruise.

Problem 3: the 4L80 has been shifting really hard. The last time i drove the truck i lost overdrive. It stays in 3rd when your under power, but when you let up the truck free wheels.

Could both the trans and the surging problem go back to the TPS?

History: I am not a Diesel Guy. I grew up around gas motors. Heres what I have done to the truck in the past.
New long block, injector pump, lift pump, glow plug, injectors, about 50,000 miles ago. I dont own the tools to be able to set the timing on the pump, so I set it where the orgnal one was and it worked great. I keep up with fuel filters about every 5 to 7000 miles. I replaced the trans about 7 to 9000 miles ago. The fluid is nice and pink.
This is my wifes horse pulling truck. total milage: 325000. i wish i had 50K to get her a new one. i wish i know more about a diesel. im just old school. im used to a 454 woth a 400. :-)
thanks for all the help!
Mike
PS the reason for the new long block was 4 cracked pistons from GAS she put in the truck. And it made it from Jackson Miss to St. Louis!!! the old 6.5 gave it heart to get her home! LOL

Sounds like you're not getting enough fuel to the injection pump. This is often caused by a failed oil pressure switch powering the lift pump. Other causes include a dirty fuel filter and contamination in the tank.

Once the surging is corrected you may find the trans problem goes away. Reduced power means increased pedal pressure which raises line pressure and inhibits shifting.

Thanks!!!! I had a fenny feeling about the lift pump even though i could hear it run. I replaced it and the glow plugs and it starts on the first roll over. the overdrive came back, but i still have a surging problem when keeping a steddy peddel.
Thanks for the help!!!!!!!

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

If the injection pump has a good supply of clean fuel and it still surges it's probably the pump itself. Try a double dose of a good fuel conditioner and see if that helps.