Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cold Blooded 95 3500

[JSienkowski]

Yup, another new guy has arrived. Just bought a 95 3500 dually 4x4 with a 5 spd, and still learning. When cold/1st start in morning I have to let the truck warm up for 10-15 mins or it acts like someone left the choke closed on a gas job, smokes out the neighborhood and don't go no where. Any ideas??Oh yeah, what the blazes is a KDP??(Sorry, new guy remember)

 

[WDixon27]

mine did that and was a mother to start cold, turned out to be a bad (missing parts) overflow valve was sending all of the fuel pressure back to the tank, i found that i couldn't get the system to pressure up with the primer but it would start easyer, when all of the air is purged the of valve will make a buzzing/squealing sound as you push the primer.

kdp is the killer dowle pin, just do a search for kdp and all you need to know and more will come up (it's a very bad thing)

 

[ronco]

I think the smoking when cold is a sign of retarded timing. The KDP is a dowel pin in the gear cover on the front of the engine that "locates" the cover to keep gear lash correct for the gears within the cover. This dowel pin can move out of it's bore with many heating/cooling cycles. When this happens, the dowel will fall into the gear on the crank snout that drives the injector pump. The very least that happens is the gear housing is broken and you develop a bad oil leak. The worst case is the crank snout is broken off and you stop right where the truck quits rolling. It is an easy fix with several methods. Perform the search on the KDP and decide what your best option is. Feel free to ask any questions. Also, read the forum "First time owners".





Ronnie

 

[Signal73]

Mines kinda the same way, I found out my Grids arent working so when I get my grid relays in the mail Ill se what happens from there. My timing is set at 16 or so, My issue dosent stem from timing anyways.

 

[Joe G.]

For a hard start problem for a 12 valve engine, the very first thing you want to check is the idle. It should be at least 750 RPM with the AC on if you have a five speed. If it's an auto then it is 750 RPM with the AC on and the trans in gear. 800 is better. It's amazing how many start or stalling problems on these engines turn out to be low idle.



If the idle is ok then you want to start looking for fuel or air leaks.



If it starts ok except below freezing then the heater grid system may have problems.



Email me at -- email address removed -- for instructions about how to prevent the KDP from getting you.

 

[crabman]

JS,

Does your vehicle do this:

Cold motor start, turn on key, does the "wait to start" & "water in fuel light" come on? Watch the voltmeter and see if the volts drop to 8v and then back to 14. It will cycle a few times, depending on outside temps. If your truck does that and it still starts hard and runs rough, then I agree with Joe, it is a fuel air leak. A good place to start is the PITA rubber fuel lines.

WARNING

Be prepared to get scratched, scraped, cut, and generally PO in doing this job. Use only marine grade hose and all ss clamps. Go HERE for the parts. If you want a good manual, then go to this site.

https://techauthority.gltghosting.c...rHome?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10051

When in doubt, ask questions here as there is a wealth of info on these trucks on this site.

Good luck and enjoy your truck!

crabman

 

[JSienkowski]

Thanks all for the info, the truck starts fine, it's just I can't fire it up and go down the street with out it warming up(kind of a bummer when you are a Volunteer Firefighter)I'll look into the fuel heater/grids. I also have a friend who has a friend that's a Cummins tech at the local Dodge dealer, so I'll pass what I find out.

 

[JSienkowski]

Yes, the water in fuel light and wait to start come on, but I've also found out that the sensor on the bottom of the fuel filter has the wires broken off of it, finding time and cooperative weather to fix that issue, I'll also check the voltage drop.

 

[JSienkowski]

I did buy the Shop manual from that site when I bought the truck, very easy reading and a TON of info, fer a new guy!

 

[CumminsAholic]

Could also be the lift/transfer pump. Had that happen to me on a couple of trucks, acted the same way. Actually 1 of them wouldn't even start when it got too cold out.

Corey

 

[MickeysCummins]

you can get the water fuel sensor from any cummins shop for about 25 bucks "the wires u said taht were broke off" u should do this and change the fuel filter. . i doubt that its your lift pump though its a mechanical lift pump on your truck. but id replace teh over flow valve too

 

[JSienkowski]

Changed Fuel filter and sensor yesterday, today was a warm day (high 60's) started up and took off-no smoke and a little stumble, but MUCH better than before. Water in Fuel light stays on now-not shocked the truck sat for about a year with very little fuel in it. Any ideas on how to purge the system?? Oh, anyone know where I can get the rubber plunger cover that goes on the transfer pump for the priming valve??