Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cold Start issues

[Missouri Mule]

94 to 98 12 valves have the fuel heater in the prefilter (right next to the lift pump).

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

94 to 98 12 valves have the fuel heater in the prefilter (right next to the lift pump).

Thanks Bill. 98 service manual shows it, Section 14, fig's. 110 & 111 - parts does not mention "heater", refers it only as strainer.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I seriously doubt there is any fuel gelling at only mid '20s F. I'd more likely check the fuel filter or shut off. And you said it took a few minutes? If you had to crank on it that long, and it usually starts right up, I'd suggest checking the fuel shut-off solenoid the next time it starts to act up. I see them all the time when the boots have begun to dissentegrate, where water gets in them, freezes, and then prevents movement. I've seen dirt do it, too. Usually a good cleaning, some light lube, and a new boot fixes 'em right up. Sometimes the relay can act up in cold weather from condensate, as well. If it does it again, leave the key on, pop the hood, and manually lift the fuel shutoff solenoid arm if it's not up. I'd bet it starts right up after that.



I've had several trucks that I've removed the grid heaters, and they usually start fine in cold weather, down to the teens. When they start to use a little oil, they'll get harder to start. And even then, a little bump to the pedal when starting, and they fire right up, even down to bleow zero, sometimes missing on some for a few seconds. When it's that cold, it's always good to let them turn over some to prime the lube, anyway.



Off the topic a little, but funny..... An old man in Seymour brought me his IDI 7. 3 Ford a few years ago, and wanted it to start in cold weather. He'd wanted to sell it, but it wouldn't start without being plugged in when it was fairly cold. It didn't have very good compression, so I put an ether start system on it. He was so happy with it, he decided to keep it!! :-laf



Oh, and the fuel heater in the 12 valves is in the fuel filter canister, and one in the fuel tank pickup assembly... ...

 

[Flats]

Chris,

last summer I had a problem with my starter. It started turning over real slow. I pulled the starter and pulled it apart, cleaned it up and put it back turning and put it back in. It worked great agin for a day. So I what to napa and bought a new (chines) starter and installed it. It worked fine for about two weeks with problems showing up the first week. ordered the larryB contactor for the old starter and ran all new marine grade 2/0 battery cables (both + and - battery to battery, batteirs to blook and battey to starter) and wing nut connecters on the battery. The napa starter went out after 2 weeks put the original starter back in with the new contactor and it was still turning slow so I replaced the brushes and the thing works like a champ. I thought it was batteries when it started acting up again had them tested then thought it was the cables, replaced them after the I replaced the starter. The new Napa starter was junk they did refund my money for the starter but what a head ache if the new one would have worked I would not have chased my tail. I am grald I have a stick I push started more the once.

Glen

 

[Missouri Mule]

"Oh, and the fuel heater in the 12 valves is in the fuel filter canister, and one in the fuel tank pickup assembly... ... "

HHhuntitall, that's not where the fuel heater is on my truck 96 12 valve. It is right above the pre-filter they are in the same assembly/component (96 Factory Service manual,page 14-71). I understand when they came out with the 24 valves they moved the heater to fuel filter cannister or its cap and they mite of put in one there in 97 or 98 12 valves but I believe they still had the heater/pre-fliter assembly.

I understand that in applications other than Dodge they did not have a pre-filter/heater.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

the fuel heater in the 12v does not help startup at all. It is at the lift pump so you have to burn all of the fuel in the injection pump, injector lines and low pressure injection pump feed line before the heated fuel reaches the injectors.



I am a big proponent of synthetics in cold weather you will see a noticably faster crank even at 30degrees. I have never had to plug my truck in even at -20 but once it gets close to zero it cranks a lot slower

 

[HHhuntitall]

"Oh, and the fuel heater in the 12 valves is in the fuel filter canister, and one in the fuel tank pickup assembly... ... "

HHhuntitall, that's not where the fuel heater is on my truck 96 12 valve. It is right above the pre-filter they are in the same assembly/component (96 Factory Service manual,page 14-71). I understand when they came out with the 24 valves they moved the heater to fuel filter cannister or its cap and they mite of put in one there in 97 or 98 12 valves but I believe they still had the heater/pre-fliter assembly.

I understand that in applications other than Dodge they did not have a pre-filter/heater.

That's right, I was thinking of the 1st gens. I've put those canisters(off the 24 valve) on some of the 12 valves, after the original ones have burned up and started leaking. Sorry. Too much crap around here!! The 1st gens had it between the filter and the filter head. I still wouldn't think fuel would gel at 20 degrees F, though. As said above, the Dodges are the only ones that have fuel heaters, and I've got several Cummins around here, that start in cold weather without them. 4 BT in my New Holland, old 8. 3 in a Case, 855 in a Versatile, KW, Freightliner.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I've had several trucks that I've removed the grid heaters, and they usually start fine in cold weather, down to the teens. When they start to use a little oil, they'll get harder to start. And even then, a little bump to the pedal when starting, and they fire right up, even down to bleow zero, sometimes missing on some for a few seconds. When it's that cold, it's always good to let them turn over some to prime the lube, anyway.

I unhooked the grid heater several years ago. A TDR member said they are there for emissions only. I have started it at about 0°. Chugs a little, but starts right up. I find it starts best not touching the throttle.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Cold Weather on the way...

I will try @ 0° and below 0° this weekend.

This was 20°. Grid heaters disabled. Unpugged. Amsoil Series 3000 5W-30 oil.

11 oz Power Service. 6. 5 oz Amsoil Cetane boost (per 35 gals)

No throttle. The fuel additives are a must. Thet cut start-up smoke by 80%.





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YouTube - 016. MOV

 

[JJanetka]

I installed the larger contacts in my starter the other year and replaced the plunger assembly noting that the plunger had the washer replaced before and thought the starter had been rebuilt. this year the starter began to turn the motor over slower. After cleaning all contacts and checking the batteries nothing changed( I am running 5w-40 shell syn). Ordered a starter rebuild kit for $50 and pulled the starter apart to find several of the brushes were worn so bad they were hardly making contact. I've seen other starters with brushes that were connected using screws however mine had to be cut off and soldered on. Truck turns over quick now. Started yesterday at 25* in one revolution.

This helped visualise the situation before I started>

Rebuild Your CTD Starter - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

 

[HHhuntitall]

I will try @ 0° and below 0° this weekend.

This was 20°. Grid heaters disabled. Unpugged. Amsoil Series 3000 5W-30 oil.

11 oz Power Service. 6. 5 oz Amsoil Cetane boost (per 35 gals)

No throttle. The fuel additives are a must. Thet cut start-up smoke by 80%.

Hey!!! NO FAIR!! That's a 1st gen!! Do you have a P pump on that thing or are you trying to cheat!!:-laf

 

[GROBBINS]

Have a similar problem on my 97, and replaced the grid heater relay for the second time, a few years back which was melted. Seems to last me a couple years of cold starting. Now, still doesn't start easily when cold unless I plug it in. Still troubleshooting though, I may have worse problems causing the relays to melt.

 

[HLEschenko]

Check your grid heater relays. I replaced mine with Stancor 120-902 Power Contractors (2 ea). No problem since. The heater preheats the air prior to starting.

 

[Hammer]

Bill's truck in the video is not a 1st gen,its a early year 2nd gen... ... ... Andy



P. S. -What is all that stuff in the bed area?... . LOL,

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Bill's truck in the video is not a 1st gen,its a early year 2nd gen... ... ... Andy



P. S. -What is all that stuff in the bed area?... . LOL,

Hey Andy, A hand truck I found at work. A Havahart trap to get kittens at work. A Snow Brum Pro (which are fantastic!)



Sno-Pro commercial grade head for Sno Brum, Snow Broom - eBay (item 110613583065 end time Feb-16-11 14:27:37 PST)



It's supposed to be sub zero tonight, so this will be the coldest I have ever tried to start it, unplugged, grid heaters disabled. I will video tape it @ 7:45 Monday morning.



Let me add:



AFC full forward

Dynomite Diesel Performance Stage 4 injectors.

 

[Hammer]

Bill...

Hope yours starts better than mine does like that when its cold with the grids disconnected when its below 0.



With the timing where its at and the big injectors the below 0 starts are slow and tedious but it will start. Yep its stumbles and rumbles a bit,may smoke some even but it will go and then stay running without a problem.



The block heater compounded my issue this past week or so when it decided to quit. Ordered a new plug and have yet to have a warm enough day to install it. Its no fun slinging wrenches at 0 to -10 when I get home from work... ... . Andy



P. S. -I have one of those snow brooms under my tonneau cover but I prefer the camel hair wash brush the best for snow that I have also.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Tough Start............

Hammer, You were right on a cold start below zero. This by far was the toughest start I ever had. I could tried a couple of different things differently. Next time I will plug it in at work.



-7°











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[Hammer]

Bill. .

I told you,LOL.



I actually fixed my hard starting issues Friday as I figured out why it was working so hard to start. The original Ma Mopar installed starter that I had installed Larry B's contact and plunger into at 30k finally gave up the job Friday with 232k on the clock. I had the shop who did the work install one of Larry B's New Denso starters(he had a couple in stock thank goodness) and man what HUGE difference. Its now very quick to turn over and rumbles to a dull roar in short order. After changing the starter I now realized it has been trying to tell me for a while it was tired and I should have recognized it sooner. Also had the new plug installed for the block heater which I got from the gang at EEP after the Geno's Garage crew never returned my phone call about the bock heater bumper plug.



BTW...

That yellow hard hat is so you... . ROTFLMAO!!!!!... ..... Andy