So we've had a few sunny days lately and I've noticed for example that when I go to get in my truck at the end of the work day I have to leave my glow plugs on for a few moments or the truck wont start. Temperature is probably 55-60 outside. This truck has always fired right up even down into the 40's without having to wait for the glow plugs, just get in and fire up. Also I've noticed more cold start romps this winter than ever before. It got new batteries the beginning of winter. Any ideas? Would a weak GPR cause this?

 

It's not a bad idea to let the GP's do their thing no matter what when cold, just easier on the engine. If you have the romps at coolish temps I would suspect glow plug issues. GPR is the easiest to check - as long as you don't have a CAL truck with GPCM. ( I see you are in OR. is why I mention it))

 

As stated above, you should always let the glow plugs do their thing. Even if it is 90* outside.

Checking the GPR is a good place to start. Is is smoking white when it romps?

 

The GP system is pretty much "digital". It works or it doesn't, there is no "weak"... but there is a possibility of weak connections. There is a manual floating around on the forum that shows how to test the whole GP system. I can't remember where I saw it, but a search on the forum can get you there. Look up 50 cent mod while you're at it.

How many miles? Your sig says 160K... is that current?

 

Here is the link to WoodNThing's glow plug diagram & explanation website.

https://sites.google.com/site/woodnt...ow-plug-system

Excellent breakdown & explanation. Helped me out when I had problems in my pick up.

 

I would:

Check the batteries (they are new but check anyway)
check the glow plug relay
test the glow plugs through the UVC harness connector

If all are good it could be the starter. It was for me last year when it was taking twice as long to start. wasn't turning enough rpm's to kick it over.

 

What's a cold start romp, please?

 

Sorry I'm not sure how to do multiple quotes.

-No its not an CA truck

-It does always puff when it starts cold, didn't used to do it all the time. Used to happen only on cold morning starts.

-Yes the 160K is current, just changed it cause I thought it might help diagnose.

-Great link! I will test it later today.

-Do you mean check the glow plug relay then check each individual glow plug.

My truck might be running normal, it just was a change to how it was running that's why I ask. I didn't want it to be a precursor to the engine being worn or something else going out.

 

Sounds like you might just have 1-2 glow plugs not working. It doesn't take many (not working) to get a puff of gray smoke and a little roughness on a cold morning.

 

What kind of oil/weight do u run? Did u change anything about it recently?

 

Just Delo 15w40. I will run Rotella Syn if the temp gets cold. A few years back we had 2 weeks of 9 degree weather and I had trouble starting in the mornings until I switched to rotella, then it would fire right up.

 

I will check them coming up. Now question about the GPR. Is it one of the 2 in the center of the motor. And if so which one is it.

 

One of them is for the air intake heater on the "spider". I think that it is close enough that you can just follow the wire from the heater to the relay.

 

Romps are when the engine is started when its cold and it starts rough and sounds like romp, romp, romp until the idle smooths out and sound normal again. Can be caused by a few different things. Usually plugging in the engine block heater and good glow plugs and engine oil with a low pour point prevents it from happening.

 

Yep, GPR first then pull the UVC harness connector off the valve cover. You'll see the pins for the glow plugs and injectors. Should only take you 20-30 minutes with a multimeter to check it all.