Hey everyone just found this sits hopefully I can get some great advice
I'm the owner of a '93 dodge 1 ton 5.9
Just started blowing a lot of white smoke if it's not plugged in and some time s I have to crank it 2 or 3 times before it fires and than runs very rough till warm bout 2 '3 minutes again none of this happens if its plugged in. I live in Minnesota ands its about to get downright cold here and I usually cnt plug it in at work. Thanks

 

White smoke and cranking a few turns to start sounds like air getting into the fuel system.

 

Is there a specific place i should look and if there was air in the lines wouldn't it do this all the time? Thanks

 

Look for leaks in the lines from the tank also the fuel heater gaskets tend to dry out and leak. The lift pump can also cause problems. I think the symptoms show up more when it's colder. Just a place to start.

 

What are you calling cold enough to be plugged in?

Up here in Canuckastan I have started these old dogs after they have sat out side all day at 10F below and yes they smoke white as the cylinders are cold and the fuel is just getting to ignite, in 5 minutes or so they pretty much clear up and are good.

They always go back to normal once they get fully warmed up.
Cold is he!! on Diesel engines.

If you have ever seen an old 350 or 400 big cam start when cold it is the same thing.

 

so your diesel starts a little harder and smokes a bit when it's cold? that's not a problem, that's normal.

make sure your grid heaters are operating and let them cycle twice before you start the truck.

doesn't sound like you have any problem at all, it's just cold.

 

Theres this small contraption that heats & circulates coolant through the block & heater core with the engine off.

45 minutes of the above & the grid heaters never come on in 25 below freezing.

 

I used to stand and watch em blow big puffy smoke rings. Somtimes it would blow one ring through another the good old days.