Runs poor when first started
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Runs poor when first started
New to this power stroke stuff, the last two mornings temp has been in the mid 20’s and my 1995 will start right up but when you try to drive away it has no power—within a few minutes it runs intermittently a little better but not quite right,,,when it is having the poor power you can hear a- air leak-grinding-power sanding type noise, flutter the gas peddle it seems to make the noise/ power, change/improve. After 10 minutes it seems to settle out and run fine..I know the Diesels do not like cold but, what gives with this thing? Shirley must work better than that with temp only as low as 20’s. Had it plugged in this morning about 45 minutes becouse of yesterdays running problem and did not seem to help.....HELP
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DandyoDan
I'm new to PSD's myself but from what I have read here and on other forums and talking to diesel owners in the last couple of months you need to be plugged in for at least 2 1/2 hours or so, and if it's really cold all night won't hurt.
Somebody correct me if I am mistaken.
John
I'm new to PSD's myself but from what I have read here and on other forums and talking to diesel owners in the last couple of months you need to be plugged in for at least 2 1/2 hours or so, and if it's really cold all night won't hurt.
Somebody correct me if I am mistaken.
John
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From: Houston, Texas
John, you're not at all mistaken. My Powestroke did the same thing sunday morning when I had to rush to church. It just needs time to warm up. You can drive at a normal pace, but don't push it too hard. On cold mornings, it needs atleast 20-30 minutes to fully warm up if you forgot or neglected to plug it in. But I you did remember, it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to get going. Some "Diesel Fuel" (the white bottle) from Power Service or Stanadyne might get things going better. I hope this helps.
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Thanks Guys, anybody think I have a mechanical problem? Like fuel filter or water in fuel? If I am having problems with this thing now I can not imagine how I will ever get it started and be able to drive it when it is 20 below. Beginning to question Diesel in this part of the North Country. DAN
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Denton,TX
It's the exhaust backpressure valve. It closes when it's cold to help the engine warm up faster. You don't have a problem. As for warm up time, the engine won't fully warm up unless you actually drive it. Letting it idle cold is worse than driving it cold. Just take it easy until the temp comes up.
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DandyoDan
Get a heavy duty timer from a ACE, Home Depot, Lowes whatever make sure it can handle 15 amps, when you call it a night just plug the PSD in and forget it until the am when you're ready to go, I have mine set to come on about 2 1/2 hours ahead of my normal goto work time.
John
Get a heavy duty timer from a ACE, Home Depot, Lowes whatever make sure it can handle 15 amps, when you call it a night just plug the PSD in and forget it until the am when you're ready to go, I have mine set to come on about 2 1/2 hours ahead of my normal goto work time.
John
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Grafton USA
I am also a newbie to the diesel too,, But what happens when you leave it pluged in for too long.. is it bad for the motor or what.. I am clueless on this one.. sorry guys.
Andrew
Futuer PSD owner
Andrew
Futuer PSD owner
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From what I am herein it is just the cold, the exhaust valve would explain the noise that it is making…but then again if they need to be plugged in at this temp how the heck will a person be able to drive it to work for a 8 hour shift, (9 hrs setting time) where you can not plug it in, when it really gets cold you will not be able to start it to get it home.????DAN
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From: orygun
you all have me curious about how long these trucks can be plugged in. i worked for a blasting/explosives outfit in pennsylvania...we had quite a few straight trucks, tank units, tractors, as well as, six psd's in the fleet. in the cold months we plugged everything in overnight...including the psd's. sometimes they were plugged in for longer periods of time also. no problems that i know of...but the trucks were new to the fleet. is this a good idea? i just moved from arizona up to washington state. past few nights must have been pretty cold...when i started the beast up in the mornings it was a loud, angry, miserable, smoky mess (i loved it...not sure about the neighbors though...lol). anybody in here from washington? will i need to plug my truck in up here? if yes....do i need a timer or can i just let it plugged in overnight and set mouse traps around it?...little ****** lookin to get out of the cold....lol. thx.
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That’s a good point—is their a thermostat in a block heater? Will it only heat up to a certain temperature then maintain that temp? If that is the case then I would think you could plug them in forever if you wanted. I know in the old days when you needed to go to the Auto Parts store and buy a add on heater you had to chouse a wattage…... I remember Pops always saying to get the big 1500 watt one. But as I remember there was always premature hose failure because everything was so hot for so long it dried them out from the heat.
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I don't know that there are any mechanical drawbacks to leaving the heater plugged in all night. The only thing that is happening it an element is heating the water in the block. The reason to use a timer is to keep from heating the water longer than necessary $$$$
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Denton,TX
There are no issues with plugging the heater in for extended periods of time. You may have to replace the heating element at some point if you do this. Get a timer and set it for 2.5-3 hours before you are going to drive it. This will save electricity and prolong the life of the heater. Also, don't idle the truck to warm it up unless you have an auxillary idle controller. You should start driving and take it easy until the temp comes up and the ebv opens.
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OK Johns, I have the auxiliary idle control/charge rate holder (This old beast was a Ambulance in it former life)—at what RPM should a person try to maintain using that with this cold issue? And I will get Her plugged in—was just hoping that would not be necessary till at least a zero temp or below.