For the last month or so my truck has been harder to start than it use to be. I have to crank it a few seconds now for it to fire off. Now lately I get a faint diesel smell when I walk around the front of the truck but have been over it with a fine tooth comb and cannot find any leaks. The batteries are less than a year old and I had them checked and they are fine. Other than the hard start and faint diesel smell the truck runs great. I don't want to start throwing parts at it and it has 96k but is past the 5 year part of the engine warranty. This truck tows heavy at lest once a month and has had Diesel Kleen run in every tank since I drove it off the lot. Any ideas?

 

Check your oil, see if it is high or thin and smells like fuel.

 

I should have added that I have checked and I am not making oil and it smells normal.

 

Check your lines going from the tank to the CP3, you could have a cracked line that is letting air get in the line.

Also, next time you start it, turn the key to 'on' for about 10 seconds, then try to start it. If it busts off quick, then you know it's a leaky line.

 

or a cracked #4 injector line.

 

First thing I checked. I have a spare in the tool box just in case mine goes but like I said I find no diesel leaks anywhere on the engine or the ground. I would assume if it was cracked I would see a leak?

Madhat, I will give that a try in the morning. Usually when I turn it to "on" in the mornings it will take 8 to 10 seconds for the "wait to start" light to go off and I still have to crank it a few seconds before it starts. If I plug it in the light is out in a couple of seconds but still hard to start. I am basing this all on the fact that up until a couple of moths ago I could get in it and turn the key on for a couple of seconds and it would fire right off.

 

Seems like there were threads talking about this... seems like it was something to do with a line at the CP3 pump..
Diesel fuel has a strong odor, so just a damp spot aroung a fitting can be smelled along ways.

 

I will give it another look over this week if the weather will hold out.

 

Yeah, I forgot about the WTS and the cold (not really a problem in the desert...)

Look at your lines. You may need to do a little de-greasing to find it.

 

Ya know, I was focusing more on the diesel smell than the hard start. Have you checked for codes?

A hard start can be a FCA or an injector. Look really good at that CP3.

 

I will check for codes tomorrow.

 

I checked this morning and no codes.

 

Just start tracing those fuel lines, man. Clean them up good, and in the engine bay, too.

Make sure the canister for the FF is tight, and the drain is closed good, too. I'm not trying to talk to ya like you're a dummy or anything, just trying to hit all the bases. I'm sure you've already done that.

 

After you clean 'em off real good, and get them bone dry, sprinkle some Baby powder on all the fittings, lines, hoses, and connections. That stuff will soak up any weeping, leaking, or damp spots and show you where the leak is hiding. The baby powder will make you smell good too