04.5 Cummins Hesitates off idle/Hard to Start
 

Started fine last winter. Was starting fine till one cold (5 degrees F) morning 10 days ago I had to try and start a number of times till it finally started. Did the same thing today at 30 degree F. After driving for 5 minutes, it will start normally after shutting off.

Hesitation off idle seemed to start day of first hard starting. (every time I start up from a stop) After driving for 20 minutes or so when engine has been at normal operation temperature for 10 min., will drive normally.

Drivers manual is in truck, but I seem to remember it says that on cold mornings you turn key and allow grid to warm up, then turn off and warm up again before starting. Tried that this morning, but light indicating warm up does not seem to come on a second time.

Help appreciated.

Do you plug the block heater in at night?? If not, do so tonight, then see how it starts the next morning. If you have been, sounds like a fuel issue, perhaps poor grade of fuel.

I'm wondering if I might have got a bad tank of fuel. Also wondering if the heat grid might be not working properly.

Pull the fuel filter, then drain the bowl into a clean, clear container. Look at the color of the fuel, is it cloudy?? and look at the bottom for water, dirt, and rust.

I'm going to try this tomorrow if the weather isn't too bad. Got a new filter today to put in.

Fleetguard are the only approved filters.

Didn't pull the filter yet, but added "Howe's Lubricator Diesel Treat" (found at Farm and Fleet in Racine, WI) at about 4 times the recommended level for cleaning fuel system. Drove 50 miles. This morning started right up and no hesitation even when pulling out of driveway. :jump: It as about 4 degree's warmer today, but I'm pretty sure the treatment cleaned something up. Will be changing filter when weather moderates. Thanks for the suggestions leading to the fuel.:tu:

Good deal. Will close the thread down for now.