93beater

my trucks hates to start when its cold, i have to press the skinny pedal most times it takes 1 try w/o pedal and 1 try with pedal it fires sputters real bad for about 10 seconds blowing tons of white smoke then purrs like a kitten all day? im plannin on changin the fuel filter and maybe adjustin the valves and bumpin the timing? does anyone know what might be causing this starting problem? and what can fix it?
p.s. its about 25-35*f outside
thanks a ton,
cody

Ace

It's not that cold. Should fire right up and run smooth without even using the heaters. Something else is wrong. What, prolly fuel related, I dunno.

90firstgen

I'm gonna guess injectors need a good rebuild. Pop pressures are probably off and the spray pattern is probably getting pretty nasty.

haloman

Mine would do this for a good minute after I started it on some days, Besides this video never took more than 2 seconds of cranking to start.

No grid heater 20* start-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLXHSXtrQdc

I think we are used to how dodge made the engine more consumer-orientated instead of how they really are in like an industrial setting.

rlyons

Something is wrong for sure, it should start before you can let go of the key no matter what. Sounds to me like injectors also.

flashgordon

Is your heat grid working...........do the heat grid relays, cycle back and forth after it starts?

I had one that melted the rubber boot, covering the bolt.
the bolt looked find but it would burn you finger if you touched it, while the relay was on (Also made a bussing noise) when i remove the bolt, it was vary rusty.
Clean it all up and reinstalled. bolt is cold to the touch and air heater works better.........when it 20 to 30 below


Flash.

flashgordon

Woo Hoo 2000 posts


Flash.

MoparMarv

That should be just about a normal start with out the heater. White smoke for 10 seconds when cold is normal. When it is sub zero mine will run rough for a minute or 2 at a lower idle speed which picks up as is warms up. I would have a look at your fuel filter since its cheap and easy and never hurts. The heater grid may be the cause. Some have that disconnected. I thought its only real purpose was to cut down on white smoke durning cold starts?

Bookshelf

I started one of mine w/o the grids yesterday in 25-30 deg conditions and it ran rough and blew smoke for about 3 seconds then ran normal. I'd check the filter.

taterfarm

have you checked that the ksb has power and is working?

Mine is on a toggle switch and it makes the difference between white smoke and smooth starts.

wannadiesel

Check for air leaks in the fuel supply lines and lift pump before you spend money.

Chrisreyn

^^ what Dave said^^^^

I had a similar issue with one of my trucks and after much beating myself over the head, found an air leak between the block and fuel heater... funny thing was ,it was only an issue when cold, like the metal contracted and allowed air in..once it was warm, there was no problem at all..
fixed it by replacing the O-ring between the fuel heater and block..

93beater

it fires right up when i give it a little throttle and runs rough for just a bit, and my truck would sometimes make that buzzing noise but it quit making it a while ago and when i trun the key i hear a pop then when the wait to start light goes off it pops again, i think its proab the grid heater, or maybe fuel filter, i just need somewhere to start?
thanks
cody

G1625S

There's air coming in somewhere. The VE defaults to WOT at startup, hence the puff of smoke when they fire off--putting your foot on the pedal won't do anything untill the engine is over 500rpms and, by the sound of it, you're already on your second start attempt at that point. Like Chris and Dave said, it's time to take a close look at all the connections related to the fuel supply. The good news is the cost is zero for that

90firstgen

Well definately start with the easy stuff. That's a given. Look for leaky lines or a leak at the fuel heater. A plugged filter wont cause a hard start and then run normal after warm.