Can someone explain to me how the KSB works to improve cold start on a '93 intercooled CTD?

I was on vacation and noticed it was getting harder and harder to start in the mornings. I was at about 7500 feet elevation and thought it must be an altitude thing. Outside morning temps were 40-50 degrees. Once warm it ran fine. When I got to low elevation and it happened again I got to checking connections and found the KSB connector was not making a good tight fit. As soon as I fixed it, the truck started up with one crank. How exactiy does the KSB work? Would it damage the IP if the KSB connector was loose when driving it?

Rocky

 

The KSB is an emission control device that reduces white smoke from a cold engine. It gives advanced timing at idle by closing a pressure regulating valve, increasing the case pressure. At cranking speed it is not functional, I think it was coincidental.

On an intercooled truck the KSB only gets power when the engine is cold, nothing can be damaged by running with it disconnected.

 

What about the non i/c? Isn't that different? Does it hurt if disconnected?

 

Non- IC is backwards. Advance if not powered.

Doesn't seem to really hurt anything long term if it's left unplugged, though.

 

Does it increase internal pressure with it unplugged? Is that bad on seals. How much would it advance timming? I think I can hear my timming go back if I drive when I first start. It seems to get quieter all of a sudden.

 

in the 93 it quieter when the ksb is on, no there is no damage if ran unpluged, and were taking a 25psi difrence so its fine, i dont even run with a KSB so its fine

 

Mine has not worked in many years . .even before i got it.
Ran horrible in cold weather till i advanced timing.

 

On your truck, yes. It won't hurt the seals. It gives you about half of the total available advance at idle.

 

So is it better to run it unplugged? Do you gain any power or throttle responce?

 

Your truck is intercooled, it works as stated in post #2. It acts like it's unplugged any time the intake manifold temp is over 90 degrees.

 

How do I check to see if it is working? during the winter the truck is really cold-blooded. Sometimes it doesn't even idle smooth. i had to install a twist-lock cable to let the thing warm up in the mornings. Next year in college is will be hard because i will have no place to plug it in, and don't want to carry a generator.

 

Next time the engine is cold, turn the key on and check for power at the KSB. The thermal switch should give you power as long as the manifold temp is below 90 degrees. If power is good, try jumping 12 volts to the KSB while the engine idles. You should hear a change in the clatter as the timing advances.

 

So when I read peoples sigs that say "KSB hotwired" does that mean there always running that increased timing and case pressure? Anything to gain from that?

 

It helps keep the case pressure up, I've seen significant power gains (20+RWHP) especially on trucks with marginal fuel supply. There's no need to do it except for dragstrip/dyno/pulling use. You are likely to burn the solenoid out if you hotwire it all the time.

 

thanks, toggle switch here I come!