06 No Start! Cold

[RIDGERACING]

I have had my truck for 1 year. All stock except for cat test pipe and air box mod since new (25,000mi. ). I have always plugged it in over night when its bellow 20 Deg. except for a handle full of times in the teens and it started up fine. This weekend I went to New York for a snowmobile trip. Truck sat 3 days with single digit temps. Went to leave and it was 5 deg. Far. outside.

Since it was so cold I even cycled the key two times for the grid heater. Would not start,cranked over Ok but would not light. It coughed and tried a couple of times but no go. It took over a dozen crank sessions over a 15-20 minute session til it started. But it ran very rough (like 4-5 cylinders) for 1 minute until finally running smother. It smoked light blue extremely for a minute and faded away after a couple of minutes. I no it may have been cold but it wasent that cold (my sled started up on 2nd pull). I do use a winter fuel conitioner (PF**), ( I use 4oz per 32 gal) I forget the letters but have been told it is good. It did not look good with my friends older 04 CTD starting up and especially an 02 FORD PSD that started right up!Any suggestions, I hate taking it to the dealer if I dont have to. THX

 

[RMalone]

Are you running a 5w-40 oil?? That has made the differnece between "midgets with ballpeen hammers" starts and nice smooth starts for me. Also, if your not running an anti-gel additive, its not a bad idea.



This cold sucks!! I'm a tropical white man!!!

 

[JLovas]

Hmmm, your right ridgeracer... she should of lit right up and those temps... sounds like your grid heaters aren't working. Any codes? Sounds like you might end up back at the dealer for this one, but at least she's under warrenty. And take Malone's advice, make sure you've got full synthetic oil in the crankcase.

 

[RIDGERACING]

I believe the grid heater is working,batt voltage drops real low while grid light on. I have started the truck before in single digits a couple of times with out. I plugged it in last night for (3hr timer) and it fired right up this morning. I forgot to mention,ck eng light has been on ever since. I had a ck eng light come on for about 2 days over 3 months ago, no running problems since.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I haven't plugged in the wifes 06 ever but it sits in the garage except when she is at work. It has been a couple of degrees below zero and has always fired right up easily. Something is wrong, heck my 01 started at -22 without being plugged in, it wasn't pretty but it started. I think they say they are suppose to start down to -20 on the 3rd gens that's why the block heater is an option now.

 

[PLaFrombois]

A good de-icer is a must, and be sure to have a spare filter on hand. I learned that lesson today. Truck started with no problems. I was about 4 miles from the house when it I started to have problems. I could keep it running at idle, but that was all. I changed the fuel filter out and ran fine all the way to the house. Where I dumped some extra de-icer in the tank just to be on the safe side.



I want to point out that this was the coldest (-8 F) that I changed a fuel filter on a vehicle.



Paul

 

[RIDGERACING]

Well, It did it again----- During the past several weeks I have been starting it without being plugged in at temp in the high teens, no problems. This past weekend I went to NY, truck sat 4 days in single digit temps. I went to start it 2deg. outside and it crankled for about 5-7 seconds anjd then began to start. It smoked severely for 1 minute and slowly over the nest 2-4 minutes slowed down. I have been using FPPF and have been told to double the amount when its in the single digits,as I did. My buddies trucks that were there fired right up with only the normal amount of smoke an 06 + 02, We all got fuel at the same place and use the same additive.

Now the bad part, take it to the dealer in temps above 20-30deg. It willstart fine!

 

[pwr2tow]

At 4 0z of PS white bottle per 32 gallons of diesel is not enough anti-gel.

I suspect what is happening is your fuel is gelling in single digit temps sitting long periods. Then when you cycle the start the filter heater comes on. After a few temps the filter heater finally warms up enough to de-ice the gelled filter and then she runs fine. Your suppose to mix 1 OZ of power service per 3 gallons of diesel. You should be putting in between 11 - 12 OZ. minimium per fill up when adding 30 or more gallons of diesel.

 

[pwr2tow]

I see in your last post your using FPPF, make sure it's an anti-gel formula. Go by the directions for anti-gel conditions.

 

[RIDGERACING]

For the winter I have been using the Polar Power witch has the winter additives. Summer time I used the standard stuff at 4oz per tank. The winter stuff I mix 8oz.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Next time you go, poke about 25-30 ounces to it and see what happens. After some of the issues we've been having this year I've been known to add about 4 time the normal dosage when cold weather is expected. Instead of 4 oz of Stanadyne I normally do 8 ounces but with the colder temps I've been poking a full 16 ounce bottle in there.

 

[KMBrown]

I have experienced the same on my 06 although no engine light. I read there is a bulletin for unusually long crank times and involves a reflash of the computer by the dealer. I believe the tsb is listed on this site.

 

[DJennings]

It sounds to me like you have a fuel pressure problem. Either injectors, CP3, or Rail Pressure relief valve. With all that smoke on startup, it just doesn't seem like you're having a gelling issue. I don't think the temps you are experiencing are cold enough to gel the fuel, especially with an additive.



I've driven 4000 miles in the last month in temps from -13 to 50 and haven't had any of the problems you are having. I park overnight at hotels unplugged and it cranks right up with minimal smoke.



I'm just going off the many threads I have read about starting issues and smoke issues though. Just an opinion.

 

[betterthanstock]

There is a fuel filter heater, that is not plugged thru the computer. If it's bad, it won't set a code. May want to check that it's plugged in, that it has juice, and that it works.

 

[RIDGERACING]

I forgot to mention, witch could be the factor. A month ago my CP3 started seeping, leaving small marking on pavement. Some days none,next day 3-5 in puddle in 3-4hrs of sitting. Dealer had to order it. I am having the CP3 replaced under warranty and hoping this takes care of my hard starting.