[Jerry V]

I started my truck yesterday and it went into a rough idle. I put it in gear and it stalled. Re-started it( still rough idle) drove it for a few minutes and it went away. This was a cold start..about 45 degrees outside. No dash light's or messages. Has not returned since.Has anybody else experienced this problem?

 

[Burgess159]

45 isn't all that cold so I wouldn't think that should cause it to start rough. But perhaps. How long did you let it run for before taking off?

 

[Jerry V]

I did not let it run very long before putting it in gear when it stalled. The problem was the running excessively rough. It has never started like this before or since.

 

[Burgess159]

How cold was it the day before? I haven't had a whole lot of experience with diesels; I had a 2004 6.6 Duramax for 2 years, but I learned a lot from the guys I work with. Whenever it's cold out, diesels need to run a little while to warm up and get to operating good.

Also, if it was really cold the day before or so, and you haven't been running fuel additive/ anti-gel, the fuel could have possibly gelled slightly. Since you did say it stalled on you. I don't know your experience with diesels so if I'm restating things you know, sorry. But diesel fuel will go from liquid to gel in cold temperatures. Most places in the Northern US and Canada usually add some additive/ anti-gel to their fuel, but I don't know that it is all that much. I always ran either Power Services Diesel Kleen in the summer or their Artic Formula in the winter, or Howe's Diesel Treat all year round. Both are great products. Both products help to lubricate the fuel as diesel is dry anymore since they have taken the sulfur out of it. Helps parts move better in the engine.

Anyhow, if is very cold, you might start getting some anti-gel and running it in each tank of fuel. If it does gel, it will stall or run awful or just not start until you thaw out the fuel. Don't know if this is your issue or not though.

 

[AndyZ71]

even at 45, which is about what the interior temp of my garage has been this past week, I think you will notice that if you turn the key on you will see the coil icon illuminate for a few seconds on the dash. You are supposed to wait for that to go off before trying to start. If you didn't do that it could be that your glow plugs weren't ready to go yet and that is what you encountered. It certainly sounds like it could be the issue as you likely weren't getting ignition in all cylinders.

 

[AndyZ71]

geez didn't notice this was so old, considering it was in the new post section I didn't even look. Sorry for drudging up a relic.

 

[TERNARYTEACHER]

also, when the glow plugs are still warming, they are pulling energy from the batter, which means less available energy for you starter. this makes it harder for it to turn

 

[AndyZ71]

I've found that I have a lot of non starts because I'm letting off the key too soon. It definitely take a bit more cranking for these to actually get started. I'm used to my Jeep where I just needed to bump the key and go.

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

Remote start it whenever it's cold.

The cold isn't the issue, the OP has a broken truck, needs to have a dealer fix it.

45° isn't cold enough to have issues. Unless he meant -45°

 

[SteveLNew]

Rock Crawler is right... He should take his truck in to the dealership to get it looked at. 45 isn't near cold enough. Even without a code showing up (engine light on) your will truck hold codes that won't trigger the check engine light, and the dealership service people can read it for you and find the problem.

I have had several non starts as well, by releasing the key way too soon. My Dodge Ram just keeps tuning over (even after I let off the key) until it starts, or pull the key out. My Ranger Rover Evoque is a push button start and you just have to push the button real quick.
So I am having to get use to holding the key until it starts. Which starts just like any other car or truck.

I forgot all about glow plugs. I didn't even know they had glow plugs anymore.
Apparently they do... They are ceramic glow plugs for fast start times.
I will start keeping my eyes on that.

 

[Burgess159]

I forgot all about glow plugs. I didn't even know they had glow plugs anymore.
Apparently they do... They are ceramic glow plugs for fast start times.
I will start keeping my eyes on that.

Need those fast start glow plugs on our 7.3 powerstroke at work. Have to have it plugged in to have a chance at starting below 32, and you might have to cycle the plugs a few times and try starting it once or three times when it's below 40. Just getting old. When it starts though, lots of white smoke. Good for mosquito fogging =)

 

[AndyZ71]

I know in the mornings even though it's ~45* or so in my garage if it is the first start of the day I will see the coil icon and it will stay on for a good 10 seconds or so. If you see the icon light up when you turn the key to the acc position you are supposed to wait until it goes off to start cranking the engine. I agree that 40* doesn't seem cold enough to really cause the engine issues, but if it is a first start and it's cool enough that the coil light comes on and is ignored, it could be part of the problem. Could also be totally unrelated, but I'm sure a lot of people on here may not have previous experience with diesel engines so want to point it out that you should keep an eye on the dash cluster before cranking the engine.

 

[18Z71Minimax]

If this happens consistently the first thing I'd do is change fuel stations and secondly, try a cetane booster.

 

[VSAdmin]

Thread moved to appropriate section. Please post in the Site Help & Support section if you have any technical issues with your account and/or with forum functions.

Cheers,
Nate

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

Thread moved to appropriate section. Please post in the Site Help & Support section if you have any technical issues with your account and/or with forum functions.

Cheers,
Nate

Omg the admins do exist.

 

[RollyPollieBenito]

Omg the admins do exist.

Next up, sighting of a pink unicorn

 

[Minimax16]

My truck did the exact same thing prior to deleting I took it to the Chevrolet dealership on four separate occasions and they could never fix it. I went through ppei tuned and deleted the truck 3 inch turbo back exhaust. I haven't had the issue again I never exactly figured out what the root cause was but my assumption is it was emissions-related