Rough running engine for a short time.

[peteb]

Started my 04 this morning, it ran very rough for a few seconds then died. Started the second time with the same results. Started the third time and was able to hold RPM about 1200 with engine running very rough with some smoke but I could not tell what color. I had about 15 miles on a fresh tank of fuel purchased the day before at a truck stop. Thinking I may have a fuel contamination problem, I took a fuel sample which look clean and had the proper smell. Bumped the starter and let the lift pump run for 20 – 30 seconds. Started the engine, it ran just fine and I have had no more problems today. I did the ignition on and off three times test and found no codes were set.



Have any of you had this happen to you? Did you find out what the problem was? Have any ideas what would cause this to happen?



Thanks for your help with this problem.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Check for the color of the smoke

Started my 04 this morning, it ran very rough for a few seconds then died. Started the second time with the same results. Started the third time and was able to hold RPM about 1200 with engine running very rough with some smoke but I could not tell what color. I had about 15 miles on a fresh tank of fuel purchased the day before at a truck stop. Thinking I may have a fuel contamination problem, I took a fuel sample which look clean and had the proper smell. Bumped the starter and let the lift pump run for 20 – 30 seconds. Started the engine, it ran just fine and I have had no more problems today. I did the ignition on and off three times test and found no codes were set.



Have any of you had this happen to you? Did you find out what the problem was? Have any ideas what would cause this to happen?



Thanks for your help with this problem.

If it's white smoke,... it's a clogged injector. If you let it sit for a few days and then start it and if it smokes even more and for a longer peiod,... definitely injectors.

 

[dave176]

Mine just started sputtering on acceleration I am thinking its the injectors. Lots of white smoke maybe the fuel filter but can't see it. It goes away seems to happen after idleing for a while. Any input would be helpful. Thanks DAVE... .

 

[peteb]

Rough running engine for a short time

Egad, there is nothing worse than an intermittent problem. I went by a five star Dodge dealer yesterday and because my truck did not set any codes they were at a loss. They suggested I change out the fuel filter. I am going to change the fuel filter but I doubt that is the problem. The truck is running just fine and I have had smooth full throttle runs to 3000 rpm. If the filter was plug I would think that it would starve for fuel under a full throttle run.



I am inclined to think it is an electrical problem but the fact that no code was set is a puzzle.

 

[peteb]

Rough running engine for a short time

Well it looks like I picked up some dirty fuel somewhere. This is with 6900 miles on the truck.



This is the filter I pulled out today. The new one was white. I have changed a lot of fuel filters, and this is by far the dirtiest filter that I have removed.



The question now is the dirty fuel the cause of my one time rough running engine? It is hard to believe that it is as the engine has been running good the last couple of days with this filter in place.



Guess I will just press on and see what happens next. Sure does not instill much confidence in the engine. Each time I go out to start it I am wondering if it will run.

 

[Wayne M.]

Pete, did you catch any fuel to look at? I would go after the station. If you can, think back and try to remember if they were receiving a delivery while you were tanking up. I keep going when I see that.

 

[peteb]

Yes I did get a fuel sample, but on both occasions I missed the first part of the sample due to having the bucket in the wrong place. I am going to have to put an extension on the drain hose so I don’t have to crawl under the truck and try to guess where the fuel is going to hit.



Thanks for all the replies. The engine has been running fine to this date. Knock on wood.



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2004 Quad Cab 3500, Silver, Cummins 600/6 spd, Westach Boost/EGT, PacBrake, Limited slip dif.