Run like a carburated engine

[pwr2tow]

When the temperature is 30* above and lower and upon first startup in morning my truck runs like an old carburator engine thats flooding. It will run rough for about 5 seconds and then smooth out. It only does it upon first start up in morning. If I plug the truck in over night it doesn't run rough upon startup, it will run perfect. Also at times it will high idle immediatly upon startup and then other times it will wait about 30 seconds and then high idle.



I checked the intake plenum above the grid heater with an infared temperature gun. I don't know how long it takes the metal above the grid heater to get heat soaked but after one cycle the temp came up a little. After cycleing the heater grid about 5 times then the air plenum started getting over 100*. I started the truck and it still ran rough so I don't think it's the grid heater.



No codes except the coolant fan code, I think it is p0483, not sure on the code as it has been a few days since I read it. The check engine light does not come on but the code is there.



I don't think it's an injector or injector pump issue since the truck runs fine if it's plugged in and runs fine on restarts during the day.



Has anyone experienced this and what was the cause?

 

[bmallen]

I've noticed the exact same thing. Really rough in the morning even with temps in the low 40s. If I plug it in it idles fine. It only started doing this about 5 month ago.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Are you guys allowing the heater grid to cycle first?



My truck only gets this bad if it's about 10 to -10 with no block heater. Thats After 2 full cycles of the grid heater (30 second break between runs).

 

[BHanna]

I've been noticing the same rough idle along with about 15-20 seconds of white smoke. I've read on here not to worry about the smoke too much unless you're getting more than a minute of it. I'm pretty sure my truck didn't do this last winter though.



My last 4 tanks of fuel I've tried every type of injector cleaner I can find (Power Service, RedLine, Chevron) Before my last few tanks I always ran 1/3 bottle or so of PS every tank. Nothing seems to help though. Lots of people with bad injectors seem to be having these problems so I guess it's about time to take mine in and let the dealer tell me "oh, that's normal. "

 

[Moose]

My truck used to do the same exact thing even in temps as high as 85* in the middle of the summer... I finally got it to quit doing to using a combination of Sea Foam injector cleaner and just running the truck harder in general (ie reving it up higher before shifting. . setting the cruise controm on long steep hills so the engine loads up more... loading the bed full of fire wood or dirt and going for a nice long drive through the texas hill country)... One thing I have noticed about these third gens is that u have to work the engine or the injectors tend to foul out easier... I would say to run a strong dose of some kind of injector cleaner then drive a few hundred miles(if possible) with a loaded trailer... . Just my $. 02



Moose

 

[pwr2tow]

I'am not going to worry about it because it only does it when like I described in my first post.



Could be injectors but, truck runs fine, no loose of power, no fuel in oil, no real heavy smoke at least not any more than the 1999 CTD I had, clears up within 5 seconds, no knock at any temp, engine runs beautiful after initial startup, poured 32 ounces of PS in tank when I picked the truck up from dealer with 15 miles on it and have used a fuel additive every tank, do not over treat with additive but the last few tanks full have been double dosed or more, ran through the gears with shifts at 3500 RPM's had lots of black smoke going through the first few gears.



I think in my instance it's more of a sensor, timing, programming thing. I see some of use have the same thing. I know DC done an upgrade on the CP3 starting with the 04. 5 year model trucks and by your signatures we are the ones with the same issue. Might be just the nature of the newer trucks??? I sure am glad I will have my warranty if things turn out different, DC can fix it on their $$$.

 

[Diesel Power]

there is a flash for those symtoms and if that dont work its your injectors! :-laf

 

[pwr2tow]

there is a flash for those symtoms and if that dont work its your injectors!

Do you know the TSB number for the reflash?

Know of anyone who has had it done and did it screw anything up?

 

[Tryingit]

Just had my truck at the Dealer for the same problem. They said it was normal but they did run all kinds of tests to back that up. I'm now satisfied. After all it doesn't do this at all in warmer weather.

Also had them replace my (just about) seized power steering pump and Oo. activate the high idle feature ($20. 00). It is a great feature.

 

[pwr2tow]

Just had my truck at the Dealer for the same problem. They said it was normal but they did run all kinds of tests to back that up. I'm now satisfied. After all it doesn't do this at all in warmer weather.

Great to hear that, mine never done it until the weather got cold also. Thanks.



By what I'am seeing from you guys posting is it's probably a programming parimeter for cold weather. To me it doesn't seem like DC has it quite right but who am I to question.

 

[cojhl2]

I think you guys are worried about nothing. . I've been around diesels since the early 50's and consider a cold engine to run rough for a short period to be completly acceptable.



I even have friends that "rev it up" a little to clear that out. I would never do that!



Just let er idle, keep piston speed down until the temp guage starts to move.





Drove a D6 for many years and used to take two cigarettes time before loading the engine.

 

[pwr2tow]

cojhl2,

Your absolutly right about diesels and being cold, I also have been around diesels since the early 60's. What my truck is doing is not the normal chug chug black smoke that a diesel does when it's cold. My truck runs like a flooding out carburated gas engine for about 5 seconds, 8 tops then runs as smooth as a purring kitten. I think it's the sensors all trying to get on the same level as the ECM programming.

 

[cojhl2]

You know what pwr2tow you are on to something re the ECM. I keep forgetting about these Computer controlled engines.



I drove a Freightliner with a Series 60 for a while. When you started it without giving the computer a chance to cycle, even when the engine was at operating temp or close to it, it did not run worth a hoot!



So,, what one can deduce for that I suppose is that the computer (ECM) plays a big part in that starup sequence. .



LOL unlike the Cats with a gasoline starter motor and my 1990 W250 huh!!



Im gonna stay on this thread to see what the outcome is regarding this problem. .