truck wont start under 10 deg F dealer sucks

[BMeier]

I have a buddy with a '03 250 hp cummins bone stock with 85,000 miles, when it is below 10 deg F the truck will not start all of a sudden unless it is plugged in. It cranks over plenty fast to start. I plugged in my code reader and found a crank shaft sensor fault. He took to dealer, they put a new sensor in and $100 later gave him the truck back. The next day it was 2 deg and would not start. I opened water drain and turned key on, there was fuel pooring out like crazy, I figured the pump is good. He took to dealer they told him the pressure was too low, 5 psi with new filter. They installed new transfer pump in fuel tank, $100 later gave truck back. The next day it was

-12 deg, wont start. plugged truck in and took to dealer let sit over night so the tech could try starting it the next day. Truck would not start, they said the rail pressure was too low during cranking, installed new rail pres relief valve, $100 later gave truck back. the next day it was -18 deg no start. Back to the dealer very upset. I went in with him and told the dealer to make sure the CP3 pressures are good and the fuel control solenoid is good, they can not figure it out. Any suggestions, sorry for the long post!

 

[jmadison]

are the grid heaters working?

 

[BMeier]

yes they are, I checked the intake and it gets warm

 

[Mobius1]

I gotta think maybe gelled fuel

 

[jmadison]

are the grid heaters staying on long enough?they should stay on about 20 seconds then start to cycle off an on sometimes up to 2 minutes. your volt gauge should show a large draw .

 

[DBentley]

The good news is he got a deal for those parts installed for 300. 00.

Try dumping in plenty of antigel and dump it in fuel filter and see if its not gelling trouble. If not the dealer will rebuild the whole motor 100. 00 at a time.

 

[TCDiesel]

FCA. By the Way is Your Buddy going to Pay for the Tech training also. . No if the dealer is replacing working Parts or Component's and charging the Owner(s) its tantamount to Stealing.

 

[BMeier]

No, the fuel is not gelled, he runs PS 911. I pulled the filter out and there is no gelling. Yes the intake heater is working correctly. I have an '03 305 hp, we both fill at the same station, use the same aditive, and both trucks stay out in the cold, and I have never had an issue. Plugging the block heater in wont change gelled fuel in the tank. I did forget to add that he is randomly haveing a thick cloud of black smoke come out during hard acceleration, sometimes. I am starting to lean toward a faulty fuel actuator on the CP3, what do you guys think. I know it does not make sense with the temperature problem.

 

[DPKetchum]

Use the SEARCH function on this forum. Lots of posts about injectors bleeding down and no start,hard start cold. Only takes ONE to loose engough pressure to hamper cold start. They make a block off tool to block off each injector and if one is blocked and it starts bingo.

 

[Motorhead]

Ever checked the valve clearance?

 

[jelag]

There are a couple of questions I have... .

1 - if the truck is not starting we are assuming that it cranks correctly... . does it make white smoke during the cranking process. . no white smoke, no fuel and its fuel or electronics problem not turning on the fuel system...

2 - if the truck is cranking and making white smoke than the fuel is on... . so you either have incorrect injection, (wrong time) electronics?? or not enough heat, pre heater, grid... or excessive low compression... Low compression (tight valves, worn engine) as I remember there is a heater in the fuel filter... is that working?

Once you've covered the basics than we can move on... diesels are very simple engines... . right fuel, right compression, and some heat and the fuel can't help but fire.....

Have you tried running some WD40 or other chemical into the intake to see if it will fire... .

I'm betting your not making any smoke... something in the electronics at below 10*F. is going open and not turning on the fuel to run... you plug the truck in... . warm it up and that electronic item now functions and the truck starts...

 

[Motorhead]

There are a couple of questions I have... .

1 - if the truck is not starting we are assuming that it cranks correctly... . does it make white smoke during the cranking process. . no white smoke, no fuel and its fuel or electronics problem not turning on the fuel system...

2 - if the truck is cranking and making white smoke than the fuel is on... . so you either have incorrect injection, (wrong time) electronics?? or not enough heat, pre heater, grid... or excessive low compression... Low compression (tight valves, worn engine) as I remember there is a heater in the fuel filter... is that working?

Once you've covered the basics than we can move on... diesels are very simple engines... . right fuel, right compression, and some heat and the fuel can't help but fire.....

Have you tried running some WD40 or other chemical into the intake to see if it will fire... .

I'm betting your not making any smoke... something in the electronics at below 10*F. is going open and not turning on the fuel to run... you plug the truck in... . warm it up and that electronic item now functions and the truck starts...

With a grid heater or any other type of pre-heat devise, Wd-40 or anyother starting aid is dangerous to use.

 

[pwr2tow]

BMeier,
I'am from ND also.
Call Miller Motors in Valley City ND, 1-888-882-5429, ask to talk to Wayne Johnson, he's their Diesel mechanic. Tell Wayne that Uncle Al's friend Ron told you to call him, he'll eventually get the drift. Tell him the whole story and every thing the other dealership has done.

On a side note at least go back to the original dealership and demand a refund. Everything should have been covered under warranty with no charge unless he's the second owner. If they give him any grief about a refund tell them to call the regional rep and customer service at Chrysler to verify there should be no charge for service under warranty.

 

[DPKetchum]

Engine and fuel suytem is NO deductable if truck is UNDER 5 years ogf age. 6th and 7th year and under 100k its a $100 deduct. The no start cold subject has been dicussed a lot on Diesel truck Resource. Lot of replaced injectors.

 

[jelag]

motorhead

I agree with your comment but its a great tool to test with if your careful... after all we can't change parts and charge the customer or take them off and return them to stock... .

Don't you agree...

 

[mahlim]

Mine is back to the dealer for the second time in two weeks. I had the same problem. They told me it was injector #5. I got the truck back. The next morning I went out to start the truck and it would not start. I looked at the paper work and called the dealer. The paperwork indicated that they had changed injector #3. I had to have it towed back to the dealer. I'm waiting to hear what's next. I'm starting to look for someone who really knows what they are doing on these engines. What a joke.