Hard starting/cloud of smoke

[MattSt]

Over the last few months about 2-3 times a week the truck starts hard. It usually takes about 4-7 seconds to start and not the usual quick fire. It puffs a nice big cloud of smoke usually darker gray in color. It is always after it has been driven and then sat for a few hours. In addition to this it's getting 15. nothing mpg running empty on the interstate (low according to what others are getting) and generally feels low on power.



I have gone to 4 different fuel stations, 250+ gallons of fuel and it's still doing it so I don't think it's bad fuel. I'm going to stop by the Cummins store and pick up some Stanadyne Performance Formula and treat a few tanks and see if that helps performance, mpg and the starting issue.



Anyone else experience this? I'm getting ready to put some mods on the truck and hate to have outstanding issues beforehand.



I have 9800 miles about 1500 towing 10,000 #'s. So it's close to being broke in.



Thoughts? I'm just

 

[rashwor]

Hate to say it...

but that is the way my VP44 injector pump died on my '99 Ram. Hard starting persisted for over 2 years from time to time. Since April 2003, the problem was getting worse every week and got to the point that it was making me wonder if it was going to start sometimes. Truck has 138,000+ miles on it. New pump is installed and I will pick it up Friday. We will see if this solves the problem - I suspect it will. I have seen many injector pumps die just this way.



Point of all of this is that it sounds like it could be a bad injector pump. I know the '03 has a different pump. I hope it is not your pump. Have it checked out... ahhhh... I remember warranty!

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's not running rite, mine never acted that way. On a recent trip I got 14. 9 at 60 mph pulling our 5K lb TT. Unloaded I've gotten better than 19. 5 on the highway.

Was the 15 MPG calculated or just what showed on the overhead?

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by Prairie Dog

Was the 15 MPG calculated or just what showed on the overhead?

Both. They almost match exactly.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hmm, could it be a weak/dying transer pump? Or maybe an overflow check valve that's not seating well? Gotta get used to these CR systems. I haven't been seeing much info regarding people checking their fuel pressure.



Mine never makes a speck of smoke at startup, except in the morning near Yellowstone (chilly & high elevation).



Vaughn

 

[krabman]

I get 10 to 12 most times, drops down to a lowest when flogging of 6. 2 with no ez. With the ez it can be pulled down to zero.

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by krabman

I get 10 to 12 most times, drops down to a lowest when flogging of 6. 2 with no ez. With the ez it can be pulled down to zero.

 

[nickleinonen]

by the numbers it sounds like fuel pressure readings...