Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel starvation/hesitation when cold

[TFabian]

Got a weird problem, not sure if anyone has had this happen.



Symptoms:



Temp below 55/60. Truck sits during the day. Starts up and idles fine. Will rev freely with no load. The first couple of runs through 1st and 2nd, it feels like fuel starvation. After 2 or 3 runs up the the gears, no problems noted. I do not notice the problem if the temp is warm/ above 70. Doesn't matter if the truck is started and driven off or it idles for several minutes before taking off. No abnormal smoke out of the exhaust. It did this before and after the TST #11 install. Ideas? I probably need to replace the fuel return line. . over 100K on the truck now. Fuel filter change - problem still there. No that the weather is getting cold, I figure I better find out what is causing this.



Thanks,

Tom

 

[JJW_ND]

Timing

If your timing has never been check or changed, I would say having it bumped a little would cure a cool running (usually white smoke) issue. 15 - 16 degrees should work fine.



jjw

ND

 

[Woodenhead]

Mine does the same thing when it's cold. It usually only does it the first time accelerating and only if I don't let it warm up before driving. I just figure it couldn't get the fuel burning fast enough with a cold engine and cold air.



Mike

 

[wcjp]

I had a similar problem with my 96'. I was performing some maintnance and found an air leak. The fuel preheater assembly was loose. It's basically a three piece assembly. The middle piece is held in by a oddball allen bolt through the middle. Some trial and error showed I had an unknown air leak. There's other places for air leaks that others more knowledgable than I can pass on.



http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/pre-filt_clean.htm

 

[Darel]

Took my truck in for a similar probelm, and my guys found the preheater was leaking through the wiring pigtail. They removed it completely and it's great now (11 degrees yesterday!).

Darel

 

[TFabian]

Guys,



Thanks for the info. I'll check it this weekend and let you know what I found.

 

[RWorth]

I agree with all the others. I just replace the fuel heater and temp sensor and wire harness. Now I can take off, after good oil pressure, with out any hesitation. Seems the loss of prime is very slight not very noticable during starts but very noticable during the first to second gear shifts. The fuel assembly is very easy to replace. One suggestion on replacing the fuel heater a 5/16 allen socket that can be put on a 3/8 or 1/4 drive with extension. Also if you have access to a multimeter with ohm meter and a piece of ice, check the thermostat for continuity. One wire on my new sensor was not soldered very well.





God Bless and have a great day.