Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 94 no cold start

[MRupenthal]

Last week I had the timing on my 94 turned up to 16 degrees, I also put in 191 dv's. The truck ran fine after the install. Now after the truck sits overnight without the block heater on it will not start. I know my intake heater is working and I have brand new batteries and starter. The truck cranks over fine but doesnt want to fire. After leaving the block heater on for a few hours it will start right up. Im thinking that possibly the timing might be too high? And this is causing the hard start. And maybe there is a little residual air in the fuel lines from putting in the delivery valves. Any ideas on how to fix this would be great.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Advancing the timing makes them cold start easier, so 16 degrees should make it pop right off.

I bet either your grid heaters are not working like you think, or the timing is not at 16 degrees like you believe it is.



I'm not trying to point a finger, or make anyone wrong, but those two things would be the first things I would suspect with your particular symptoms.

Is it cranking too slowly by any chance?



Joe

 

[MRupenthal]

I know my grid heater is working as I can feel that area is hot after cranking it over several cycles. I think it is cranking over fast enough because I just put new batteries and starter in it this summer. It started just fine in the cold before the delivery valves were put in and I know my timing is at 16 degrees because I had it set last week. Im thinking it is some air in the lines from putting the delivery valves in. If it is that, how do I get the air out?

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

If it starts when using the block heater, it's almost certainly not air in the fuel lines. Try using a 12V test light to make sure both grid heaters are getting power like they should.

If you're sure the timing hasn't slipped, and the grid heaters are working then I'm out of suggestions. Maybe someone else has an idea.

Joe

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I unhooked my grid heaters after I read they are mainly there for emissions. 3 years unhooked. Coldest I have started it was about zero degrees. It shakes and smokes for 10 seconds but starts right up.

 

[MRupenthal]

I found the problem! The fuel shutoff solenoid boot had come off and the rod was all gunked up. I put the key in the run position pushed the rod up by hand and then started the truck. It started on the first try. Apparently this only happens sometimes when I try to start the truck and not everytime.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Good job! Give yourself a pat on the back

If your boot is deteriorated here is a place to buy a nice new one . . . it's a spendy piece of rubber but worth it LarryB's Dodge starting problems solved here.