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this is driving me insane. every morning and if i let the truck sit for a couple of hours after driving when i turn the key it will fire up for a second but if i don't give it a lot of throttle it will feel like it runs out of fuel and die. then when i try to restart it it just cranks over. i have to pump the lift pump a bunch then cranck it and pump the throttle alot to get it to fire. then once it fires i have to keep pumping the throttle to like 22-2500 rpm or it will die. and it blows a ton of white smoke everywhere. it covers my whole truck. after like thirty seconds or so it will warm up and i can stop pumping it and it will idle fine and the smoke will stop. the truck runs perfect after that and only blows black smoke. im pretty sure my pre- heater grid is not working and im not sure why. i don't know if im sucking air or what but i need to fix it. this can't be good for the motor. its a 96 3500 4X4, sorry i have to do my sig. any help would be great. thanks

 

/me moved here for better exposure

 

Sounds like a failing lift pump. When you let it sit, it looses prime. Good reason to go aftermarket, maybe.

 

any update???

 

I was thinking overflow valve.

 

inoperative glow plugs

Wait it says that is that for all diesel?

 

Have you replaced the rubber fuel lines on it yet? They're notorious for getting pinhole leaks.

You're grid heater relays are just below the battery on the driver's inner fender. They're actually solenoids and look like miniature Ford stater solenoids. There's is a fusible link coming off of the driver's battery that gives them their power. Follow the fusible link and check for 12VDC at that side of the relays. If there isn't replace the fusible link but find out why it blew. Chances are the relay is going south and took out the link. With the "Wait To Start" light on check the other side of the relay for 12VDC. If There isn't you've either lost your trigger signal from the PCM or the relay is shot. You can also check the trigger circuit with a test light. It's the little wire going in to the side of the relay.

 

Is this resolved?

BTW, heres some more troubleshooting tips:

White smoke usually occurs when there is not enough temperature to burn the fuel. The unburned fuel particles are then exhausted usually by a rich fuel smell. In cold weather it is not uncommon to get white smoke until engine temperature builds up. One cause of white smoke on engine start up could be faulty glow plugs or glow plug system. Low engine cranking speed can also create an excessive amount of white smoke.

If the problem persists after the engine is up to operating temperature several other things should be checked. A faulty injector can cause white smoke. Timing is often a factor when white smoke is excessive. Low engine compression can cause the problem and the injection pump can also have problems that result in white smoke. Air in the fuel system can also result in white smoke.

 

Closing this due to lack of response......you are welcome to reopen it if need be.