I just got this '94 ram 3500 CTD. Some mornings it runs great and some not so great. This morning it was plugged in and the light went out pretty quick,started perfect-ran great. This afternoon(6pm) I got off work and the light went out about the same as this morning, but once it started-it sounds like its only running on a few cylinders and really smokes white-blub smoke. I haven't checked the batts yet, but could the grids be messing up? where are these things and is there a way to check them? Never owned a diesel before, so any info would be helpful,thanks..Chuck

But on another note,when its running right-it runs

 

my guess is fuel lines. could be overflow valve or lift pump too. air probably in system. use a short piece of clear hose on return and look for air.

 

mine does the same thing. warmer day it only last for maybe 5-10 seconds and i have to keep my foot on the pedal for awhile or it will quit. but when its colder it really smokes and idels rough even with my foot on the gas for probably a minute or so.

what can cause all this?? i know the fuel pre-heater is fried and i have to replace that. could this be causing it??

thanks

 

No, the heater is to "melt" gelling fuel so it doesn't clog the fuel filter.

Both of you guy's problems sounds like normal cold weather characteristics to me.

 

i never had this problem with my 95 i had. only this 97. plus i only get from 9-11 mpg no matter what. towing or not.

 

White smoke at startup is sometimes caused by retarded timing.

The Haynes manual has an excellent section on diagnosing problems with all of the the grid heater components.