Does the vehicle only throw a code when the check engine light comes on?

 

This may be out there but for the most part my 95 3500 starts well put in new glow plugs usually starts fine after sitting all day below freezing temps. Traditional white smoke runs rough for a few seconds untill it builds some combustion temps. I know my starter sounds a little tired previous owner put in new batteries but only 650cca started fine untill temps got cold for a while now about once a week it does not start well. I have come to the conclusion low cca batteries low temps and not alot of long runs is the problem.I am sure new larger batteries and starter rebuild will solve the problem. I would suggest have your current batteries load tested (new can still be weak ) maybe see if you can find someone with a clamp on style ammeter to see what your starter is drawing. Hope this may help good luck!

 

I'm going to try new set of glow plugs. I order a set of Bosch Duraterms. I was told the heat range is 1400 degrees compaired to stock AC delco's 900 or aftermarket 600 to see if this helps with cold starting. lets see what happens. I'm also having Heath remap my computer with a cold start assist as well. (waiting for delivery)
1. I will let you know if the glow plugs make a diff.
2. If the remap helps.

 

My 98 can sit for days in sub 0c weather and starts right up after one glow cycle.

No white/grey smoke, just a light black puff and off she goes.

I run the duraterms, great plugs. The fact that my engine is a new 6500 Optimizer (replaced last summer) also helps. Good healthy compression from the first crank.

I tune my own now, but I've used Heath before and he makes a good program.

Did you get the extended glow cycle and afterglow?

Many mistakenly think after glow is for emissions (it is to an extent), but it also helps keep that big ol' diesel ticking over nice and smooth while the cylinders build up some heat...

 

I had a similar problem with my 96 after I tested every thing in the glow system and it all checked good. I replaced all the glows even tho they checked good on the resistance test and it got rid of the hard cold starts. (It took me half and hour to get it going one 24 deg morning) So if your glows are old, just because they test good it might not mean any thing.

 

latest: I replaced the glow plugs with Bosch Duraterms (tested each one before installing) not much of a difference (I already had new AC delco's which were replaced with BD). Extended glow plugs on cold start (from Heath re-program) seemed to help and mitigate the issue but did not resolve the stumbling. still stuck on this one.

 

is it blowing a lot of white smoke on startup?

 

If you are still having problems, I would check the fuel heater which is located in the filter housing. I have had a couple of them go bad in our fleet of trucks in the past
.

 

I've never seen a fuel heater on my truck. Another local diesel mechanic told me I could be having some fuel leak by my injectors, causing the hard starts. Anyone else ever ran into this?

 

it is possible ive heard of that before. get them pop tested.

is it blowing alot of white smoke?