You guys are probably going to laugh when you read how old my truck is and how few miles it has, but here goes:

2005 2500 CTD w/ 27K miles (yes, that's all)
Drivetrain & related electronics are bone stock except that I have the Smarty Catcher #3 program loaded (This has been unchanged for about 3 years).

Here's what's happening- Every so often (about 1 of 4 starts), the engine "misses" its start. By "missed start" I mean that I crank it, the engine sounds like it caught, I let go of the key, but it actually hasn't started. It has been doing this for the past couple months. I've owned it since new and this truck has started pretty much instantly with only a very short burst (1 second max) of cranking. This missed start condition is mitigated simply by me holding the key at start a bit longer.

At first I thought maybe my batteries were getting weak (they are over 5 years old after all) but I individually load tested them and they check out strong.

Other than the missed starts, it runs flawlessly...still plenty of power at WOT.

Are these missed starts a sign of something I should be looking into or is it just the engine breaking in?

I should probably go check the fuel filter since it has been a couple years!

 

Im a newbie to common rail but family has several tractors. I would definetly check the fuel filter and get some type of good fuel treatment/stabilizer. I have always been told that a type of algea grows in diesel when it sits to long. Sounds like yours sits too long according to your mileage. Ive always heard also that a good steady tow of decent weight for a while is one of the best things you can do for a diesel. Hope this helps.

 

My '06 is doing what sounds like the exact same thing, and has been doing it for a while now. It's highly random. Not related to anything I can pinpoint.

Every once in a while it just takes holding the key on about 10 secs longer than normal to get it to run. Mine's still under warranty and the dealer has went over it several times but, of course, it won't do it while they have it and it throws no codes. We have it documented so if it ever gets regular enough that they can find it it'll be covered.

I'd love it if some body had the answer too.

[ETA] Truck has about 70k on it and I tow ~7k lbs a time or two a month. Fuel filter gets changed every oil change.

 

I would also check the lift pump to make sure that its putting out enough fuel. Since it's an '05, its in the tank.

I also have the problem every now & then, but cuz its cold out & the grid heaters kick-in & causes more of a draw on the batteries making the engine turn over slower. It will do a stumble start then die especial when it sits for long weekends of non-use.

I'm assuming that the batteries are alittle week. When they get to the point that I'm giong to change the batteries, I'm giong to go to a group 31 series.

 

I have batteries that are 7 years old and don't have that problem any more. I had it when the injectors were failing. I wouldn't think your injectors are failing at that mileage unless because it sits so long it is building up alge in the injectors causing problems. I would look into some type of injecotor clearner for diesels and run a good stabilizing additve for diesels in the fuel then go run the snot out of it and if you get a load of 7-10 even better.

 

I'll definitely check for algae growth when I change the fuel filter. I think I'll also put in some biocide and Power Service in the tank as well for preventative measures and see if the PS improves the starting condition.

I recently put in Power Service in the tank of a sailboat that has a little Yanmar 30HP 3 cylinder diesel and it's definitely smoothed it out and made the starting easier.

As for the lift pump pressure, I was under the impression that my '05 with the in-tank pump was not really prone to failure like the few previous years. I had been contemplating putting in a fuel gauge to measure pressure at the filter but didn't do it because I heard the in-tank pumps were reliable. Any evidence to the contrary?

Thanks for all the advice.