cold start

[Kurmit]

I have a 2004 1/2 cummins turbo diesel. After the prewarm up light goes off, i crank the motor, but it feels like only 5 pistons are firing. And for about 30 seconds I can see un burnt fuel. Than it would clear up and begin to function properly. Even if the motor cooled off for over 6 hrs, it would run rough until 30 seconds. Is there a way that I can check each cylinder to see which heater element is not working? The ford has glow plugs that does the same thing - prwarm the air... .

Thank you

-- email address removed --

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Cummins engine used a grid heater on the intake to pre-heat the air. There aren't individual heaters for each hole.



And how cold is it where your at?

 

[Kurmit]

Cummins engine used a grid heater on the intake to pre-heat the air. There aren't individual heaters for each hole.



And how cold is it where your at?

Is the grid heater the name of the warming system for the cold start?

And how lond should the cold start light stay on?

I live in In. The wheather here is average from 65 to 80 for now. So if I understand you correctly, All cylinders are controled by one source. Not like the ford with glow plugs in each cylinder. So I would need to replace the heater grid..... And where exacly is this grid heater located on the intake. What does it look like?

Thank you,

Kenny Liggon

 

[amsoilman]

Is the grid heater the name of the warming system for the cold start?

And how lond should the cold start light stay on?

I live in In. The wheather here is average from 65 to 80 for now. So if I understand you correctly, All cylinders are controled by one source. Not like the ford with glow plugs in each cylinder. So I would need to replace the heater grid..... And where exacly is this grid heater located on the intake. What does it look like?

Thank you,

Kenny Liggon

The grid heater is an elctrical element that is mounted under the intake horn where the intake horn mounts to the intake manifold. Look for two large electical leads that are attached to the grid connectors. To access the grid heater, you must remove the intake horn by removing the attachment bolts where the intake horn and intake manifold come together.



I would not think this grid is bad, as they are pretty trouble free, and have been used on the Dodge/Cummins since 1989. I would suspect the controller that controlls how long the grid heater stays on is not working properly, or you just hav'nt waited long enough for the grid to heat up. This grid is very much like a "toaster" element, only much larger in size.



Hope this helps.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Well considering your temps in your area it shouldn't even matter. Since its that new you should take it back to the dealership. Mine, my roomates (94), and 2 buddies don't have any of those problems you described unless its really cold.



At above 59f the intake heater isn't supposed to even turn on if I remember correctly (could be wrong on this part, someone correct me if I am). When its between 15f-59f you shoulde see the WTS (Wait To Start) light for 10 seconds. 0f-15f the WTS should be on for 15 seconds. Below 0f and it should stay on 30 seconds. Even when above 60f the WTS will come of for a short period. I just jump in and start it. Runs fine.



After you start yours watch the voltmeter. When its cold the grid heater does whats called post heat cycles. It goes on and off and when it does the needle will swing quite a bit since the grid needs about 120 amps to work. My headlights dim in the winter from this. If its moving your heater is working.



Look up issue 10 page 35. Pattons 94 when new had a white smoke startup problem when new. Even though they are different engines its worth the read.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Sounds like a bad injector rather than a grid heater problem. This is a warranty issue.

 

[Kurmit]

Ok this all is helpful. . Now where is the controler located?... I will time the cold start light... As for the injector problem, wouldn't the injector give me some trouble all the time to?

Thanks

Kenny

 

[Sixpack]

Sounds like a bad injector rather than a grid heater problem. This is a warranty issue.

I think I read on this board that bad injectors in the 3rd gen were not uncommom. Take it back to the dealer!

 

[Duluth Diesel]

If an injector is completely clogged or toasted, then yes, it will give you problems all the time. But usually "bad" injectors still give enough fuel in a poor spray pattern to fire when the engine is warmed up. If you have an injector problem, it probably just has a few clogged nozzles that are causing poor atomization of fuel, and therefore poor ignition of fuel when the engine is cold. Once the engine gains some temp, you probably can't hear or notice much of a difference aside from a very small drop in MPG due to that cylinder blowing off a greater percentage of unburned fuel than normal. I'd take it to the dealer.

 

[Kurmit]

If an injector is completely clogged or toasted, then yes, it will give you problems all the time. But usually "bad" injectors still give enough fuel in a poor spray pattern to fire when the engine is warmed up. If you have an injector problem, it probably just has a few clogged nozzles that are causing poor atomization of fuel, and therefore poor ignition of fuel when the engine is cold. Once the engine gains some temp, you probably can't hear or notice much of a difference aside from a very small drop in MPG due to that cylinder blowing off a greater percentage of unburned fuel than normal. I'd take it to the dealer.

I have an apointment 9/1/04 and I will let all who help me know about what has been found.

Thanks,

Kenny

-- email address removed --

 

[Cummins Pilot]

What I want to know is how you got your truck into the shop so fast. Last time I sent mine in it took 3 weeks before they could even look at it. And I told them what was wrong.

 

[BrentKaiser]

3 Weeks isn't bad for Gene's!!! :-laf Actually they have been doing really good with me lately. Took some convincing on my part :{ ,but everything gets done pretty quick now. If you don't go to Gene's, where is a good place in Fbnks to go?

 

[Cummins Pilot]

My roomate takes his 12v to the Diesel Doctor. A good buddy works for Ken's Fairbanks Alingment, but there not as diesel savy as the Diesel Doctor.



My other good buddy works at Gene's so when I take it in I try to have him look at it.



If you ever see me running around stop and say hi. Just look for a red 2500 QC LWB with a chrome "C" for Cummins sticker in the back window. And the other mods in my sig.

 

[BrentKaiser]

Cool, I'll keep an eye out for ya. I'd say the same to you, but my truck looks like all the other stock :{ trucks running around Fairbanks, except for the TDR sticker in the rear window :-laf !

 

[Rhinohd]

I have an apointment 9/1/04 and I will let all who help me know about what has been found.

Thanks,

Kenny

-- email address removed --

So what happened Kurmit? I am having the same issues...