Bad fuel or cool weather problem?

[ECappleman]

A couple of days ago when I was on vacation, it got down in the low 40s at night. The next morning the truck did not want to start. It acted like it was starving for fuel or being too rich (if it was carbed). I had filled up that night at a new station, and thought it might of been water in the fuel. So I drained the filter and finally got it started, but idled rough. It ran fine after it warmed up and I did'nt have anymore problems... . until this morning.

Same thing, just not as bad. Change in weather, cool night, sloppy start and rough idle. Ran fine after it warmed up.



Is there a problem with the engine, or could I have gotten water in the fuel and it screwed with my fuel filter?



Thanks

 

[ECappleman]

Maybe the heating coil.

But that would only effect inital start up, correct?

 

[JFaughn]

I 2nd that , next time you get in the truck and it has a cold eng. watch the volt meter and look for the needle to bounce up & down a little , thats the draw on the system for the air heater , if not then the system may not be working , have some one look at it for you.

 

[ECappleman]

Wouldn't that just apply to start up?

It will run rough for 5-10 mins. even after driving.

 

[rbattelle]

Could be a gelling issue? Try an additive that includes an anti-gel. Or plug in the block heater.



-Ryan

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If it's only in the 40s a dead fuel heater or a dead grid heater should not cause a problem like this. It should start right up and idle smooth, the worst thing being a little smoke. I'm thinking bad fuel, and the filter is probably ruined as a result. Water in the filter will increase its resistance to flow considerably.



Vaughn

 

[Tony T.]

My understanding is the heat grids rarely give any problems,did you let the grids do a complete cycle before start up. Did you check or change out your fuel filter. I would suspect something fuel related.



Tony

 

[Boonieman]

Mine starts right up in the 40's without cycling the grid heaters at all. Is the fuel pump pumping? (The one in your tank)

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

A quick easy check of the fuel pump is to crack the fuel drain with the engine running. If fuel doesn't rush out then I'd suspect the lift pump.

 

[ECappleman]

Changed the filter yesterday.

Same problem this morning. Died at a light about 5 miles from my house. I can see A 3-500 rpm fluctuation in RPM's.

I can also see a draw on the volt meter when I start up. It goes back to normal after about a minute or two. So I think the heater is working.



Hmmmmm

I guess it goes to the dealer.

 

[ECappleman]

Just took it to the dealer. S. A. says he thinks it might me the pump.

If it is, will I get an in the tank type pump?



Hope it is under the 7/70,000 warranty.

 

[Tony T.]

Just took it to the dealer. S. A. says he thinks it might me the pump.

If it is, will I get an in the tank type pump?



Hope it is under the 7/70,000 warranty.

Your lift pump and injector pump should be 7/100K warranty. If it is the lift pump going out I have heard they will replace with in-tank pump,but not 100% sure on that last statement. At least it didn't quit all at once somewhere in the boonies and did at least give you some warning hopefully the in-tank pump will work out to be more reliable, hopefully.



Tony

 

[ECappleman]

Thanks.

I'll post when I get my truck back, with the cure.

 

[Texasrattler]

What dealer are you using?



Pete

 

[ECappleman]

Using one here in Houston.

Helfman Dodge



I talked to them today and they said they could not duplicate the problem.

I took my Quad box off before I brought it in. I have a hard time believing that was the problem though.

They said, they would try it again tomorrow.

 

[ECappleman]

Whell, they still could not duplicate the problem. But it has warmed up quite a bit here.

They did fuel test, ect. and could not find anything.

They did reflash my computer with the newest update, maybe that will make a difference.