npe3484
Registered User
First, let me say that I've done a bunch of searching related to cold starts, hard starting, and other starting issues. A lot of the information was helpful but I'm still unsure of where to start (no pun intended).
I just got this truck a week ago, and on cold mornings it takes a very long time to start. I've cycled the key with around 20 seconds of "run" time. The WTS light will stay illuminated for around 8-10 seconds followed by 3-4 clicks (relay? solenoid?).
It will then take 3-5 intervals of 10 second cranking time for the engine to finally start sputtering. Once it is running, the idle is low and it feels like it will die any second. After a few minutes of this rough idle it will smooth out and run smoothly.
This morning I went out and tried starting the truck in 20 degree weather. Unfortunately the batteries died before I was able to get it running. While checking the engine over I noticed a few things that worry me.
1. One of the batteries is small, 500 CCA's and the other is larger but has no label. I think 2 new batteries are needed.
2. When I took the radiator cap off, I can't see any coolant. This makes me think the coolant level is very low.
3. The coolant in the overflow tank is like a frozen slurpee consistency. This makes me think the coolant/water ratio is way off.
4. The injector that has a direct line from the fuel filter is damp and appears to be leaking.
I plugged in the block heater and put the battery charger on too. When I plugged in the heater, I heard it start to gurgle, and the lines going in and out of it started to get warm. I'm hoping this means that the heater is functioning properly. However, if I am low on coolant, will the heater be of much benefit?
Sorry for the long post, but I'm still very new when it comes to diesels.
I just got this truck a week ago, and on cold mornings it takes a very long time to start. I've cycled the key with around 20 seconds of "run" time. The WTS light will stay illuminated for around 8-10 seconds followed by 3-4 clicks (relay? solenoid?).
It will then take 3-5 intervals of 10 second cranking time for the engine to finally start sputtering. Once it is running, the idle is low and it feels like it will die any second. After a few minutes of this rough idle it will smooth out and run smoothly.
This morning I went out and tried starting the truck in 20 degree weather. Unfortunately the batteries died before I was able to get it running. While checking the engine over I noticed a few things that worry me.
1. One of the batteries is small, 500 CCA's and the other is larger but has no label. I think 2 new batteries are needed.
2. When I took the radiator cap off, I can't see any coolant. This makes me think the coolant level is very low.
3. The coolant in the overflow tank is like a frozen slurpee consistency. This makes me think the coolant/water ratio is way off.
4. The injector that has a direct line from the fuel filter is damp and appears to be leaking.
I plugged in the block heater and put the battery charger on too. When I plugged in the heater, I heard it start to gurgle, and the lines going in and out of it started to get warm. I'm hoping this means that the heater is functioning properly. However, if I am low on coolant, will the heater be of much benefit?
Sorry for the long post, but I'm still very new when it comes to diesels.