Say it's not so
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Do you have your own garage to park your truck in? Do you have some basic tools and a multi-meter? You Do not need to take this to a Diesel shop.... yet or maybe never. time to learn about your truck and you will have fun doing it.
Let's test the Glow Plug Regulator and the Glow Plugs first. You can test the Glow Plugs without removing the Valve covers.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
I hate to say this, but I'm leaning towards worn injectors. Do you get alot of white smoke while trying to start or at start and not plugged in? If so, that would point to a glow plug issue. The weather around here doesn't generally call for the need of GP's, though I hope it's an easy fix like this. If you have multiple injectors not firing on a cold motor it's probably not going to start. If the GP's check out, you can run a buzz test while motor is cold. If you have no way of doing the buzz test, yank the valve covers and watch oil discharge from each injector while cranking or running. The injectors not discharging oil are the culprits. After warm up, the injectors generally start firing and would explain your truck running fine after warm up. I'm not too far from you and can probably borrow a scantool (since I still don't have my own dangit)and help you out. But you really need to do the buzz test on a cold motor.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
I hate to say this, but I'm leaning towards worn injectors. Do you get alot of white smoke while trying to start or at start and not plugged in? If so, that would point to a glow plug issue. The weather around here doesn't generally call for the need of GP's, though I hope it's an easy fix like this. If you have multiple injectors not firing on a cold motor it's probably not going to start. If the GP's check out, you can run a buzz test while motor is cold. If you have no way of doing the buzz test, yank the valve covers and watch oil discharge from each injector while cranking or running. The injectors not discharging oil are the culprits. After warm up, the injectors generally start firing and would explain your truck running fine after warm up. I'm not too far from you and can probably borrow a scantool (since I still don't have my own dangit)and help you out. But you really need to do the buzz test on a cold motor.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I had the same EXACT problem I believe. Does it chug like a freight train? or blow tons of white/gray smoke until warm while shaking and skipping?
I had an injector stuck wide open and overfueling it caused the cylinder to shut off til warm where it could handle it.
make sure you let us know what the culprit is
EDIT: I have a vid on youtube of what it did, search for my channel Mitch14077
I had an injector stuck wide open and overfueling it caused the cylinder to shut off til warm where it could handle it.
make sure you let us know what the culprit is
EDIT: I have a vid on youtube of what it did, search for my channel Mitch14077
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 1
From: Canton, IL
I haven't seen anyone mention the UVCH's, they could be getting loose and need replaced, the cooler temps could be causing them to not make as good of connections as they once did. using the block heater could be keeping the connectors warm and expanded, thus a good enough connection.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Yea, Mitch, sounds like mine, but could be more than one cylinder,but why would it not do it if plugged in?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
It will fool you into thinking its GPs but mine was smoking in 60* weather for about 10 mins and it didnt matter if it was 60* or 20* it would start the same if not plug in. My mechanic said that the reason it ran ok when plugged in was because it was warm enough to burn the excess fuel but when it was cold it wasnt.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
Jump the Glow plug relay for about 30 seconds and try it. If it fires right off, you probably just need to get a new relay. There are a couple of good shops down around your area, I just can't pull them out of my head right now. Search function time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
Mine makes a little white haze, even when it's warm out. I don't doubt that my injectors are old and and might be worn, but they're not anywhere near bad enough to justify a new set. I think everybody else here has got the OP on the right track, though... start with the glow plug system. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
If it was still 15 degrees around here, sitting 4 hrs would be fine. It would probably take all day for that big ol chunk of iron to cool down enough. I bet we can figure something out though. Check the Glow Plug system first, that's what we are going to hope is the problem. Of course we could throw in new glow plugs, glow plug relay, strengthen up the bottom end, hybrid injectors, tuning to run 'em, maybe a GQSSB turbo, big or medium oil, some giggle juice, high dollar transmission, and the list goes on. That should fix your issues and make you good pals with the local tire shop.