I have a 2003. We have been getting in the sixties at night. This has happened couple times now. This morning when I started the truck it was about 68°. When it starts it runs rough and smokes like crazy. This morning it did it for about about a minute or so. why would it do this when it is almost 70 out?

 

bad glow plugs, worn injectors that need shims, low compression


What oil are you using?
How many miles since last change

 

I use rotella and it has been about 2000 miles since last change

 

Start by ohming out GP with harness removed, check outer two pins to ground


And check that there is voltage going to them from GPR


If that checks out then compression test or check injectors clearance


http://dieselpro.ca/Poppet%20Valve.pdf

 

If you plug in the block heater, does it start normally ? If so you have an injector or more than one, failing... as knottyrope said above.

 

I will plug it in tonight and see what it does.

 

Well I have discovered diesel fuel in the coolant. What does this mean?

 

Coolant in diesel fuel means you have a worn out injector cup/sleeve. Or perhaps several of them. Diesel is under higher pressure than the coolant, so it blows into coolant. Google it, you'll find a lot of info.... needs to be fixed, the longer you wait, the worst its going to be on the engine.

 

Injector cup time. It's not that bad to do but it will take some time with the special tool needed to take them out and press them in.

Best to do all eight sine your already in there

 

I am getting mixed answers some are saying it's not worth fixing. It's got 450000 miles. What's your opinions?

 

For a $100-200 you can fix the injector cups and add new injector O rings, if the engine doesn't have blow by, I would ignore who ever told you that statement.

 

Ok. I havent checked it for blow by. What is the best way to check that? Put the oil fill top on top of where you dump the oil in?

 

Yes, as long it doesn't blow off or looks like a choose choose train you be alright.

 

Thank you so much for your help.

 

I'd fix mine if it needed cups... I expect to get 1million miles on this truck.... before I'll spend the $$$$ they are wanting for a new one !