slow starting problem

[3dracer]

A friend of mine is looking into buying a 96,3500 12 valve Cummins truck. He knows for sure it has been turned up. After you've made a run down the road, and got engine temp. to normal and shut the engine off, when you go to restart it you have to crank it over several times before it cracks off. My son's truck kicks off instantly. Is this normal for a motor that has been turned up? We don't know how much it's been turned, but last owner has told him he had it "peaked". It is an automatic,with 335,000 miles on it. It was a "camper jockey" truck. All hiway miles. Everything else seems top shape,help appreciated soon. What do you think???

 

[SLang]

First if the truck does not have gauges and has been turned up DO NOT CONCIDER BUYING IT!



Now for hard starting...



When it is warm it should idle around 750-800 RPM. If the idle is low these things have problems starting. Try to press the accelorator a little. If it starts, the low idle may be the problem.



If it has had injectors changed then look at 2 things. First check for any leaks no matter how minute. Second depending on the injector it may cause a starting problem. With my factory injectors the truck would not start when idle was set at <750 RPM. Adjusted idle to ~750 RPM and truck started fine. Put the 370's in and had trouble starting. Fixed all leaks and still had trouble. Set my idle at ~850 RPM and starts fine.

 

[1tuffram]

May be something as simple as the overflow valve. I was having similar problems. Pulled the overflow valve out and measured the spring. It was about 1/16" shy of 1/2". Previous threads state the spring should be 0. 5" and if not then stretch it until it measures 0. 5" or a tad over (FWI: this is only a temporary fix). After stretching the spring my starting problems and inconsistent low power when starting from a stoplights resolved.



I ordered a new overflow valve and sealing washers/gaskets from Piers for $50. Give them a call and mention you're a TDR member, I think members can still get the overflow valve for $45 + s/h. If you need new washers/gaskets ask for them because they don't come with the new overflow valve.

 

[Don M]

Just a tad of pedal usually helps mine start.



If the truck has been "turned up" so to speak they may have advanced the timing... . After about 16 degrees on mine it got a little harder to start.



Don~



used trucks that are leaned on by others scare me sometimes... .

Governor springs ARE your friend when shopping a used truck

 

[3dracer]

hard starting O.K. now

Thank God for the internet. . After reading you guys' ideas, The hard starting problem isn't a problem anymore. I talked to the original owner, and he had taken the truck to Scheid Diesel for upgrades. They turned the timing up on it. Just touch the gas pedal and it fires right up. Scheid says it has 200 hp at the wheels. After adding the 20 %, wouldn't that make it around 210 at the flywheel? Again,,thanks a lot.....

 

[Extreme1]

Sheid is a reputable shop.



200 + 200(. 2) = 240