Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine won't start after warmed up

[TRichardson]

One of our trucks, a 1998 Dodge Cummins diesel, 24 valve won't start after the engine has warmed up. It loses prime. If you drive even a short distance, turn it off and then immediately try to start it, no problem it starts right away. However, if you turn it off and try to turn it on 5 mintues later, it will not start. Throughtout the day I must use WD40 or ether spray into the air filter to get it started.



Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[DMoon]

STOP Don't use starting fluid or WD-40 in a diesel, in particular the 5. 9 cummins. I'm not sure you are aware but there are heating grids in the air intake for pre-heating of the air charge prior to starting. If you use starting fluid or WD-40 or any other flamable liquid you could at a minumum severely damage the engine and stand a good chance of damaging yourself in the process... ... . heat and starting fluid = explosion

 

[TJany]

i can't help you with the starting problem, but i would recomend against the ether and starting fluid... i've been told by diesel mechanics not to use ether or anything else to try to start a diesel, reason being the pressure that a starting agent builds in the cylinders can be enough to crack the compression rings on the pistons... only going to create more problems for you... as far as losing prime, i'd assume theres a check valve in the fuel system somewhere, i haven't dealt with it enough to know, but you might trace the lines and see if there is one and start there... i'm sure somebody who knows more about it will help you out



Tim

 

[americana]

can only relate what happened to me

i had the same problem, only mine was accompanied by a dead tach (the dead tach was also a harbinger of non starting while hot).



turned out to be a bad throttle position sensor. the dealer changed out the ECM as well. thank god it was under warranty.



if it is only the tps, shouldn't be too $$.