I must have posted right after, so it's sounding like injectors. What does a set of decent injectors with install usually run?

 

Price would depend on where you got them and who put them in. I got reman Bosch stock (that was what he had in stock) and it came to just under $2500.00 for everything. Took about 3 hours to do.

 

Before you spend a single penny... check your grid heaters. If you didn't disconnect them before using ether there would have been an explosion, so they are NOT working.

 

Is there an easy way to check grid heaters?

 

I feel like an idiot for asking but I thought the grid heater just keeps the engine warm after being plugged in on cold winter months? Do they also allow for hot air for starting the motor? I'm thinking now this is the block heater.

 

I did some asking around and research on diesel shops in the Cincinnati area and heard about preble County diesel power, so I called and explained what was happening and he said injectors also. Sounds like the returns on the injectors are bad that's why she won't start but runs fine after. Said it should not run very well after started if it were the lift pump. $25 for each injector to be tested and if bad $250 for a reman and they cut the $25 testing if you buy from them. He said 150 for labor to take them out and put the new ones in.

 

It may well be your injectors but you have to try the grid heaters first. If you turn the key on and the wait to start light will come on but the truck must be cold (at the IAT) for the ECM to turn on the heaters. The heaters are located between the intake manifold and the cylinder head they look like an aluminum block you should be able to feel them warm. You will also see a large voltage drop as they draw a lot of power, you could also check for power across the terminals with a test light. I should add the engine usually has a block heater located in a frost plug location, this is what you plug in to help keep the engine coolant warm. The grid heaters turn on when it's cold to warm the air going into the cylinders.

 

$2500!? OUCH. I think Id be checking (and hoping) it was the preheater grid (NOT the block heater..)

If injectors are needed, I would think replacing all 6 would be a good practice

 

I will take a look at what busboy recommended but from what most were saying if the grid heaters were ok I should have had an explosion correct? If nothing else on to the shop and Im sure he can find out on both heater and injectors.