Hi, I have a '06 Cummins and live at sea level on the east coast. I'm traveling in the western US and have noticed a slight stumble at cold start since I'm at high altitudes. I first noticed it upon reaching Santa Fe, New Mexico which is in the 7000' range. Upon cold starting it stumbles for about 10 seconds or so then smoothes out an is no more trouble. Never noticed any such roughness at sea level and am just wondering if this is just a diesel version of altitude sickness. Other than that it is running great and pulling my trailer through 10000' without even breathing hard.

Love traveling through the west

thanks,
Roger from NJ

 

Mine does fine from 4,000 to 10,000 ft.

 

My 2006 lives at 7K ft altitude in mid-New Mexico, I have not had any problems with hard starting or stumbling since new. I guess the computer has learned where it lives or something??

I have heard others say their trucks have these issues at altitude, so I guess it might be normal??


CD

 

Thanks, I guess it's something to live with while visiting here in New Mexico and Colorado. Runs great otherwise so I'm not going to loose anhy sleep over this one.

Roger from NJ

 

I have started from sea-level to 9K without an altitude related stumble.

It shouldn't make a difference, your computer adjusts for the ambient pressure and temps...

It could be a pressure sensor, or an injector issue..

It could also be coincidence that its occurring now, and isn't related to the altitude.

 

Live at sea level in San Diego. Twice in the last year at altitudes above 4,000ft, mine stumbled at AM cold start after towing.

Code showed P0341 - Cam Shaft Position Indicator. Cleared it with the Smarty. Drove fine for a few months then same code so I replaced the CSPI.

6 months later up fishing (after towing) did the same thing at 30 degrees start in the AM. Same code. Cleared it and it's towed, started fine, and hasn't thrown the code again.

I think my truck is just used to warm San Diego sea level starts????

 

Thanks for all the input. I don't know how to read the codes ( if any are present ) but mine probably is more comfortable at sea level too. I'm not going to worry about it. Things are good overall and this is just something I'm curious about. We'll see if it continues after decending to lower altitudes.

Roger

 

My truck lives between 6,000 and 7,000 feet. Been up almost to 10,000 feet with zero starting problems. Even when I go down to sea level for many days and then back up to 6,000+ feet I cannot detect any difference in the start pattern. About 5 compressions and it fires right up.

 

Was up at 12,000' today on the passes between Lake City, Co and Animas Forks, Co. No starting issues at those altitudes but then again it was a hot start. It might also just be that's it's a bit cooler in the AM's when you're up this high. No big deal. Will be heading back down soon.
Thanks for the input.

 

Any white smoke from the tail pipe along with the stumbles first start of the day? Look at you passenger mirror when you start it up in the morning and check to see if you get any white smoke. A puff or a few seconds is nothing to worry about. A large amount or white smoke that lingers for a while after starting along with a rough idle can be an injector leaking down. It could also be a tank of questionable fuel, and it will clear up after the fuel is gone.

Have fun while you are traveling.