Now that it getting cold here in upstate New York, i have been getting a weird surging during the first cold start every morning. It dose have the induction flash. When i first start it after a normal crank it surges and revs in like 2 steps, hard to explain i will try to record it and put it on you tube. But it starts revs to one point then to a hight rpm, then back to normal idle, almost like someone hit the pedal then instantly did it again but a hair more. Truck runs fine but don't like the rev, during cold start with no oil pressure at first start-up. After warm it will not do it until after it sits over night, Could it be a leaky injector???? not sure hoping for some advice.
Thanks,
Peter G.

P.S. Last time it was at the dealer, i had them check it and they said it was not a concern, did not find anything, They replaced ICP sensor due to leaking oil. Think it is off because my 2004 F450 6.0L starts just fine.

 

the trucks have a built in high idle. now it isn't supposed to do it right away. mine takes about 2 or 3 minutes then it runs up to about 900-1000 RPM's. this is perfectly normal.

 

mine still has the cold idle strategy that you are talking about and usually happens about 2-3 min after start up. This happens right at startup as if starting fluid or something was used to start it.???

 

I will try and record it tomorrow morning so everyone wil have a better under standing.

 

Are you confident there are no oil or fuel issues (fuel and oil filters fresh?, no bad fuel?, oil level OK?)? What oil are you using? These are probably too simple to be the issue, but I always go through this mental checklist. There have been quite a few FICM failures recently. Also, you mentioned no oil pressure at startup - do you have gauges?

 

The fuel filter only have 6,000miles on them, The oil is due for a change about 6,000 miles on it, i try for 5,000mi but i have been busy at with work. Going to change the oil friday. I run Rottella Syn 5W40 year round and do a oil report every other oil change to check for wear, diesel and antifreeze in it. Last tank full i tried a bottle of Stanadyne. This would be the second winter that it starts like this, Truck runs fine, just dont like the high rev. during that first cold start every morning. I only have the factory oil pressure guage, What i meant by no oil pressure is that when the motor first starts and revs to say 1,200 rpms in the first second of operation, its dose not have proper oil pressure and oil to all parts of the motor. Was hoping to find some one with a simillar problem that has found an answer.

 

I am not sure where to start to look, many ideas; Leaky injector, weak injector where the induction heating is lifting a weak spool valve and allowing fuel to load in the cylinder, weak ICP sensor. I am just worried about doing damage to my motor, i love the truck, it runs great, i tow, plow, and daily driver. Want to make sure it last.

 

My '05 6.0 does the same thing when it's near freezing - or freezing - outside. When I asked my dealer he told me it was normal - cold ambient programming (CAP) or something like that allows the engine to high idle and heat itself up when it's colder than usual.

I was also told that additional backpressure is created to restrict the exhaust and keep more of the heat in. This is evidenced by what seems like a louder diesel/clacking noise than usual upon startup in cold temps.

I've paraphrased quite a bit but that's the gist of what my dealer told me. I have yet to have a reason to distrust him so is what I go by.

Good luck.