OK, this is a little complicated so I'll make it short as possible.

1st cool weather of the season and just a couple days ago my truck came down with the dreaded long crank issue that seems common. Never did this before. Only has this problem it seems if I try to crank it too early after the grid heater light goes out. Allways cranks right up on 2nd try when i quit cranking after just a few seconds on the 1st. No rough idle, no smoke, no miss, and no engine trouble codes!!!

At the same time however that this symptom appeared, the standard diesel clatter got louder. When cold, the truck sounds like a 12v Cummins of old. Smooths out when warm but still noticebly louder than before. Again, I have no fuel in the oil, no smoke, no missfires or anything else other than the two problems listed. To me (this coming from a pure amature) it sounds like injection pump noise as apposed to injector noise, but I could be wrong. Only other thing that I can report on, is the truck also has a weird shudder under hard load/acceleration in OD lock from 45-60MPH only.

I have Power Service and Stanadyne lubricity additive in the tank now, just in case someone asks if I use anything.

 

Did you have all these mods during last years cold season?
Can't say at the moment about the longer start up time but cold weather timing rattle is somewhat normal with added timing+cetane boosters.

MikeyB

 

Yes I did. I've had these mods now for almost 2years and this is the 1st time for any of this. When it all started, I immediatly returned the Diablo to stock and also ran the Edge on stock level. I might also add that I never experience the hard start problem when cold starting in the morning, and only at completely random times.

 

I'd say that part is normal, mine's done that since it was new. This time of year it's more noticeable, and takes awhile to get used to. Cold engines will clatter.

 

My truck did that in cold weather when the Pilot service station had the labels for the gas and diesel backwards on a new pump they had installed...

 

I will keep everyone updated, but I'm sure I narrowed it down to a fuel issue. Not that the engine sounds better when it gets warm, cause yesterday, noticed as soon as it got to temp it still rattled like crazy, but the longer i drive the more it smooths out. Which leads me to think........."fuel temps!!!"

 

Filled up today. And just as I hoped.......all problems are solved now. Thank goodness!!! Figured I had too much lubricity additive with the combo of PS silver bootle and Stanadyne. I will continue to monitor and update this as needed, as others here seem to be having the same symptoms, but far worse troubles. Especially on the '03 trucks. My thumbs are all up, but rest of my fingers are crossed though!!!!!!

 

i seen people mention fuel heater on here, dont know if our trucks have this or not , but couldnt see that being it, all the other tractors, loaders, skid steers, and the older trucks i know they didnt heat the fuel, i could only even see that beeing a option to special order if like you lived in alaska canada , up north somewhere to keep fuel gelling to a minimal.