Will sliding stock plate affect cold starts?

[Dbonzi]

I recently slid the stock fuel plate forward. It just cooled off here alittle 25-30 in the mornings now. Before this tank of fuel or sliding the plate forward, not sure which affected it, I could start the truck with out running the manifold heater and it would run pretty good. Now it will stumble and alot of white smoke for about 30 seconds. Any of you guys have any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[radixr]

It's not clear to me from your post if you are using your grid heater now. If you are not, I would be surprised if it didn't stumble and smoke after startup in 25-30 Deg. weather.



I don't think sliding your plate would cause those symptoms. Maybe bad fuel would, tho.

 

[Dbonzi]

I have not been using the heater. the temps have been down to around 25-30 before I slid the stock plate forward and it would start fine without the grid heater. So I'm not sure if sliding the plate caused the stumbling now or the tank of fuel. I hope this clears it up a bit.

 

[Joe G.]

The fuel plate is a throttle stop for full throttle. If you are not pressing the loud pedal to the floor the fuel plate is not in play.

 

[Dbonzi]

Thanks alot.

Ok I think it almost makes sence now

thanks all for your replys.

Dennis

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Joe G. is right. The plate is just a stop for the rack at full throttle.

 

[JohnE]

Dbonzi;



I think it is purely the cold weather. White smoke and a stumble is a sure sign of a cold diesel engine.

Is this your first winter with a diesel?



You can start a cold diesel without letting the grid heater cycle, but why? It only takes a few seconds to for the light to go out. Cummins uses a grid heater system for good reason. It is the most effective aide to start a cold diesel.



Using the block heater is also a good idea. Once temps drop below 32° F the rules really change. If you run conventional 15W-40 oil it will be your worst enemy for the first 20 seconds of starting and running the engine. Even a 10W-30 oil is much better for cold starts.



Now is the time to start using fuel additives, too.



A friend to the north



-John

 

[Cooker]

CAnderson,



Seems like Joe G. agrees with you about the how the plate works. I guess I was obviously wrong, but I still have the same questions. If one never goes full throttle, how can the plate increase mileage while towing, and allow you to tow in a higher gear (possibly) w/o going WOT



BTW - Sorry to jump in on this thread. We were discussing thit topic elsewhere and it came up here.



-Ryan

 

[radixr]

Plate Mechanics

I guess I don't understand how the plate works either. I thought it controlled fueling at all "go pedal" positions. When I put my plate in, I noticed more power at all throttle positions.



In any event, I agree with JohnE: The original problem is a result of not waiting for the grid heater to cycle.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

When starting the truck, the rocker does slide forward and tap the torque plate near the bottom, at what is called the "cold start" position. Your problems are a combination of rich cold start (possibly), combined with too cold air from not using the grid heater and block heater. At 30 deg. you are best served by using both, and your engine will last longer.



When running, rack position is controlled by the governor up to the maximum full load fuel that s determined by the torque plate, which Bosch calls the full load stop.

 

[Dbonzi]

Wow, Thanks again for all the replys. You guys are great. I guess what I have been trying to say is: I used to be able to start my truck at 30 degrees without it plugged in and with out running the grid heater and it would not stumble a bit. No white smoke at all.

Then I moved the fuel plate full forward and about that same time filled the tank with fuel. Now it stumbles with out the heaters and I have been wondering if it is the plate or the fuel that has changed.

Sorry for my inability to explain what I mean.

Thanks agian all.

Dennis

 

[illflem]

Dennis, it may not be getting colder but the cold is lasting longer with the long nights. Perhaps your engine is cooling down more than before when parked and causing the stumble.

 

[Joe G.]

Thanks, Joe. I learn something new everyday. My '95 with a #5 plate starts right up at 30 degrees. However, it complains about it by banging around until the temp gets up a little. Best bet is if the "wait to start" light comes on, wait like it says.