Truck Repair: diesel is hard to start, ford powerstroke, coolant temperature

Question
Hi
I have gone back and rechecked the glow plug relay and it is putting out 11.3 volts, at 50 degrees the glow plugs were on for approx. 2 minutes so it seems this system is working proberily.  I notice though there is no smoke coming from the tailpipe when cranking until the first time the engine fires off around 30 to 45 seconds of running the starter which makes me think there is no fuel being delivered to the engine.  On the thermostat that is in the high pressure oil resivore, I have thought this could be the problem although there is no fault light and when the engine is up to normal operating temperature the transmission will shift into overdrive. Does the transmission get it's temp. indication from the same sensor? Thank You Ray-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi
I have a 2000 ford powerstroke that will just about not start below 32 degrees.  the glow plugs, glow plug relay and valve cover gaskets have been replaced, the batteries and starter have been checked and good, the oil in the high pressure resivour has been checked and is good, i have ran out of things to check, is there anything else i need to check?  the ford dealer said it was the origional gaskets and relay.
thank you
Answer -
Hi Ray,
I see you have replaced the relay, but has it been checked to be sure it works?
There is a control module that uses coolant temperature to decide if the relay should be engaged. That is why I am wondering if it has been checked. Is the relay actually working?
Then, if it does operate and engage the glow plugs, is it shutting off at the correct time?
If the relay stays engaged too long, it will burn the glow plugs up.
So first check the glow plugs with an ohm meter and see if they are indeed still good, or if they have been burned out, and then check to be sure the relay is operating, and if it sounds like it is operating, make sure it is actually sending voltage to the glowplugs. i have replaced several of those relays that clicked fine, but would not make contact internally.

There could possibly be a fuel injection or timing problem, but that would also be coolant temperature sensor related, and I would concentrate on the glow plugs first.

Van

Answer
Hi Ray,
Sorry for the time, but I haven't been able to log on for a couple days.
I have had a similar problem with Chevies where an o ring on the fuel filter base was cracked, and overnight, or especially over a weekend, the fuel would drain back into the tank, and it would require a great deal of cranking to pump the fuel back up.
That engine I believe has a mechanical fuel transfer pump mounted on top of the engine, behind the filter, does it not?
Either the pump or the filter could allow that to happen, and no smoke because no fuel.

Van