Archived Really Hard Start, Again!

[DCMille290]

Two months ago I removed, cleaned and treated all of the battery posts and terminals, hard start gone.

Arrived in Quartzsite last week from Arkansas, no problems on the way out with stopping and restarting.

Yesterday went to Blythe, 20 mile drive, into Radio Shack for 10 minutes, then truck refused to fire up. Cranks just fine, checked everything I can think of. Fuel filter new as of a month ago, doesn't appear to be water in fuel, I drained some off. Waited for about 15 minutes and after 5 more tries of spinning the engine over it started and smoked quite a bit, blue color, but rev'ed and drove back just fine. Does seem to be a slight stumble in Park when you punch the go pedal hard. But not apparent when you rev up slowly.

I am going to disconnect my EZ so the engine is back to stock.



Need some help, I can't be stuck miles from home or service.



Any suggestions on what I can rule out will be helpful. I have most of my tools with me. just rolled over 198,000 miles.



Thanks,

David Miller

 

[AKAMAC]

What's your fuel pressure? Look for possible air leaks on supply or return fuel lines, filter o-ring. You may need to check for codes. Mike

 

[DCMille290]

I don't have any way to check the fuel pressure. Lift pump is less than a couple of months old. It is running, and fuel is coming out the top if I loosen the fuel fitting.



Thanks for your help.



David

 

[randyco]

Had A Truck In The Shop With Hard Start Problem, He Had To Use Starting Fluid To Fire It Everytime, Had Good F/p , Replaced The Injection Pump , Cured The Problem

 

[DCMille290]

Here is an update after having to be towed back to Quartzsite tonight.

After driving for 20 minutes, truck good and warmed up, would not restart.

Called wrecker service, towed back to QTZ and after 1 hour of sitting, it started right up. So... . anyone care to give me an opinion? Truck starts when it cold, but not when its hot.



David

 

[cojhl2]

Isuspect the injection pump is not building enough pressure to overcome the nozzle settings. Had a tractor engine do this one time we always had to give it a smell of something stronger to get it started. Change the pump and problem went away.

 

[DCMille290]

Updated 02/03/05

Well, first off I have to give two thumbs up to the following companies that helped get us back in running condition.

Thank you Chip @ Blue Chip Diesel, for your expert knowledge regarding the VP44 and the problem with the electronic control module.

Thanks to Diesel Specialists for your outstanding assistance in getting us another pump at such a great price. Besides the fact a second pump had to be shipped Overnight. Great job to both of these companies for being so helpful and supportive.



OK, now the issue of the hard start was a result of the VP44 electronic control module, mounted on top of the pump, was heating up, opening solder connections, then cooling and contracting enough to complete the circuit.

The module cannot be replaced on the truck, the pump must be removed and taken apart in order to be changed to a newer version from Bosch not prone to this issue. Just replace the pump with the newer module on it. Rebuilt and calibrated pump from Diesel Specialists was $1100!



Being that we are out in the middle of nowhere, the local Dodge dealer did the install for me for $350 and did a fine job! Thanks to Larry Green Dodge in Blythe, CA.



Back on the road today heading back to AR.



Thank you all for your advice and assistance.



DC Miller

 

[rashwor]

On my '99 I had the same symptoms as you. Hard start when hot. Replaced the VP44 and no more problems.