Poor running on startup

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This morning when I started my truck it started up normally and idled normally but when I pushed on the accelerator it lacked power, missed and a large amount of white smoke was present. I did drive the truck and it performed normally. I started it again several hours later and it acted up again. It started right up and idled normally but no power, missing and a lot of white smoke when pushing on accelerator. Nothing obvious upon visual check. I had replaced the fuel return line last year. It's run perfectly until this morning. I even towed my 34 foot fifth wheel yesterday with no problems. Help!

 

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Ted
Sorry to here about the problem. White smoke out the tailpipe means its burning antifreeze. Good luck.

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On a gasser White is Antifreeze/water but on a diesel cold unburnt fuel will also give a white smoke. If its hazy/blue it's probably oil.

Just after I got my truck It started doing what you are stating. Somtimes worse than others. If I let it warm up about 3-5 min. it dosen't do it unless you rap it up wich is not a good idea when the engine is not up to operating temp.

Sofar I haven't figured out my Problem but I also have a little oil burnning at cold startup which is probably getting by the valve seals.

Sorry It dosen't help much but mayby some of the Season BOMBERs might know.

Mac

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95 Ram 2500 Auto Std Cab, Cat & Muffler Fell off, 125,000 miles.
Bombed-to-be!

 

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I want to thank the two who have replied so far. I just came back from driving the truck and it drove perfectly. No smoke no miss, plenty of power. Go figure.

 

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How cool was it at the times it smoked? Cool enough to run the intake heaters? I believe they kick in when it's below 66 degrees or so. It's possible your heater grids are malfunctioning. The symptom of a cold start without the heaters would also be white smoke from unburned fuel. Your voltmeter should show a large current draw if the heaters are operating in cooler weather.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10LS, Auto, BD Pressure Loc, Mystery Switch,TST 230/605, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans gauges, Optima Red Tops, All black. Tow 14k HitchHiker triple glide 5th Whl. Also use 9. 5' Lance. NRA Life Member.

 

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I didn'tay too much attention to the temperature but we live in Eastern Washington where this time of the year I would guess it was in the 70s somewhere.

 

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Ted, welcome to the TDR,thought I was the only one in Chelan Co. now I know there's at least two of us. It has been cool enough here the last few nights for the heaters to kick in,I'm going to have to start looking for the wait to start light again. Been just starting it without looking the past few months. It sounds exactly like your problem,hopefully there is nothing wrong except a failure to wait. I did have a mouse chew problem with my 3500,they got the wire to the manifold temp sensor and the heaters failed to go on. Give a call at 6828299 if you have more questions I'd be happy to help. Also you need to include your signature so we'll all know what it is your talking about.
Bill

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,34,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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tedhazen, unfortunately these symptoms are common for a variety of fuel system problems. If it does again start checking at fuel heater filter(screen) work foward to return fuel valve, this valve can cause many different problems. Make sure screen is clean. Look at all connections and hoses/lines for fuel leaks or air leaks.
Dieselnerd is right about the intake heaters,they or related parts(sensors, relays) could cause white smoke if not working. But books says intake heater won't come on unless under 59 or below.


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Missouri Mule 96 White 4X4 ST club cab,(grey int. ),5 spd, 3. 54 reg dif, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards, front and side of bed,Pofile V bug shield,
99 Freight liner FL60 blue Cummins 24v 215 hp, 520 torgue,6 spd 3. 59 no spin rear, 16 ft dry box (white) 19. 5 low profile tires,Weight 11,000, gvw 23000, 11 to 12 mpg
Bill Thomas (Wild Bill)

 

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I want to thank all of you who have replied with solutions to my startup problem. I have been given several possible areas to check and am confident I'll put this thing to bed. It's really great to be a part of such a group that cares for eaach other. I'm loking forward to respsonding to others problems and maybe even another gremlin will present itself on my Badboy. Thanks again!

 

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Don't forget to check for water in your fuel. Water can settle/condense in you lines and the water in fuel warning light may not be detecting build up. Always buy good clean fuel. I have had this problem after trying to save money with cheap fuel. #ad

 

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Leaky injectors or somewhat retarded injection pump timing are possibilities.