Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cold Start?

[nhincher]

was -4 this morning, brrrr...



truck sat outside all night unplugged, cycled the grid heaters once (usually do it 2-3 times even when it's in the 20's but wanted to see how it would do). well she fired pretty quick but man did it sound bad... lotsa hammering and stumbling, made a REALLY loud moaning/shrieking sound for a while, and if there were any mosquitoes in a 4 mile radius they're toast .



Question is, it seems to be happening more often, the truck fires fine but smokes a lot, and stumbles/idles rough for about a minute (about 5 minutes this morning). it didn't do this last winter is why I'm concerned, not sure if I should start using some sort of fuel additive or what not, the fuel filter was changed about 8K miles ago.



I can't really plug it where I live. I do Run Delvac 5w-40 and it always turns over plenty fast.

 

[JJW_ND]

Additive really helps.

I have slight lower compression which makes for lots of cold engine smoke. I really notice a big reduction in smoke since I started using additive. I do not run any #1 just additive below zero. I am using the Amalagated stuff. I have also had great luck with Stanadyne. If you were a 12V truck I would say bump your timing up a little. It also helps with smoke.



jjw

ND

 

[Rob Levandoski]

It's been pretty cold and I also forgot to plug in one night. Next morning I also experienced a little start-up smoke. I'm not to worried and I don't think you should either . . . as long as the smoke and such went away as the motor warmed up.



I've been using one of those lighted plugs so as not to forget the cold-night plug ins . . . didn't like the sounds the engine made on the cold start-up.



Good luck.

 

[nhincher]

thanks for the responses, I wasn't to worried just thought I'd ask.



I picked up some power service additive at wally world last night, added a little over 4 ounces to my half tank of fuel.



barely any smoke and no rough idle this morning, though it was a comfy 12 degrees out. I think there was some improvement, either that or I'm just telling myself that to justify the hassle and the 10 bucks



I'm heading the the upper peninsula this weekend, lows of -15 and averages around -5, should be a good test.