Warm/Hot weather hard starts after driving

[Firehunter]

Need some help here guys, Last summer my truck started to have some really hard starts after driving in warm/hot weather. I would park it over night and start right up after cooling down. I do not have any gauges and I replaced my filters
on the Air Dog regularly. Where should I be looking? I have a feeling its an issue with my airdog after it warms up. Could the pump be going? Is this an issue in the injection pump? Why only on warm days and started great all winter. Any input would be great. Thank you

 

[cerberusiam]

Hard starts when warm are usually injector\FCA related. That said, you have and AD and they are also trouble prone. You really need gauges to diagnose what is happening. A LP pressure gauge tapped into the CP-3 inlet will tell you if you have pressure to the CP-3 when the hard start occurs.

The manual trucks seem to have more issues with extended crank that the autos. Have you scanned it for codes that would help point the way?

 

[Firehunter]

Hard starts when warm are usually injector\FCA related. That said, you have and AD and they are also trouble prone. You really need gauges to diagnose what is happening. A LP pressure gauge tapped into the CP-3 inlet will tell you if you have pressure to the CP-3 when the hard start occurs.

The manual trucks seem to have more issues with extended crank that the autos. Have you scanned it for codes that would help point the way?

Last Summer I got a P2146 Code. I scanned and reset it and it has never happened again. I disconnected the battery and it went away.There are no current codes I did run into some bad fuel a while back with water in it. I'm wondering if it toasted that injector. Also what is FCA and AD ? sorry have been up on the abbreviations in a long time.

 

[p-Bar]

FCA= fuel control accuator it's located on the back of the CP3 high pressure fuel pump for the injectors. AD= air dog

 

[Firehunter]

If I replace the FCA, Do I have to return it to stock programming?

 

[p-Bar]

Wouldn't hurt to turn it back to stock to eliminate the programmer. What are you using for programmer? Also you can try some 2 stroke oil in the fuel tank to loosen up the FCA. As cerb says the gauges will be the best way to troubleshoot your situation.

 

[Firehunter]

I understand its time for common rail gauge. Im just confused why it only happen this time of year when when It started to get warm out. could it be the overflow valve?

 

[p-Bar]

Yes it is weird usually the other way around won't start or hard start when cold and starts right up when warm. It could be the relief valve what box are you running?

 

[Firehunter]

Yes it is weird usually the other way around won't start or hard start when cold and starts right up when warm. It could be the relief valve what box are you running?

I running a predator tuner from
diablo sport. I actually tried a different tune to see if it made a difference and it didn't.

 

[p-Bar]

A lot of programmers are not that great and they usually only add more pressure to the rail which is hard on injectors. Most guys on this forum have learned that the Smarty is the way to go as it does timing,duration only so it saves your injectors. Yes you could wasted the pressure relief valve that's located on the rail. I could not find any info on your programmer in regards what it does.

 

[Firehunter]

Dam! just looked up a new pressure relief valve. They are not giving those away. I hope that could be it. its still cheaper then injectors. I have also notice less smoke when I step on it. Is there anyway to test the valve before I buy a new one?

 

[cerberusiam]

PR valves are pretty cheap compared to other things on these trucks, if you actually need one check with TC Diesel.

Yes, it can be tested. Pull the line and banjo bolt on top of the PR valve and bag it to keep fuel from spraying all over, clean and dry the well out with cleaner and air. Disconnect the FCA connector on the CP-3 and start the engine, run for 30 seconds then check the PR well. If it is dry you are good, any wetness and it is weak or the seat is etched. The engine will rattle with the FCA disconnected so don't worry too much for a test.

 

[Firehunter]

Thank you! I will give it a test today. I really appreciated the responses.

 

[Firehunter]

Replaced the FCA and PRV and tuned with a smarty JR. I will let you know how the weekend goes. Making a trip to Rhode Island. thanks again.

 

[p-Bar]

I think you will like the smarty. Injector friendly

 

[Firehunter]

unfortunately my issues still persist. Drove today in heat and the hard start came back. I will say truck sounds and runs a lot better with the new parts and tune. I may have no choice but to check all the injectors now or its an issue with the AD. I would think if it was the injectors, the problem
would happen during cold weather as well. Is there a check valve in the AD? It almost seems like the fuel is draining back.

 

[Firehunter]

Unfortunately the new parts didn't fix my problem. Drove in the heat yesterday and stopped at a store for 30 min. got back in the truck and wouldn't start. I cycled the AD several times and still wouldn't start. After hanging on starter a few times it fired up. Parked it over night and no problem today. Any other suggestions? Is there a check valve in the AD or injection pump that is leaking the fuel back. Still confused why this only happens in the warm weather. Its almost like a vapor lock you get with gas engines. I would think if its an injector, it would be bad all the time.