flash7210 wrote:
For the most part, living in florida means not needing glow plugs to start your diesel engine.
I had my glow plugs completely un plugged for most of spring and summer last year.
And there was no exhaust smoke either.
Well...that's kind of what I figured...BUT...it definitely was not starting in a healthy sounding way. When just plug #2 was bad, no big deal. Just a slight cough/hesitation upon firing up. However, when just glow plug #1 was bad, it started quite rough, even at an ambient of 70 degrees, which I thought was very odd. In fact, I tried three times in a row once and it didn't start right away...leading me to let off the key a little too early all three times. After that, it threw code P1001....something about the key being cycled off too soon, or something to that effect. Maybe I've just been spoiled in the last 1 1/2 years of owning this truck....but, it has always started immediately, and purred like a kitten....up until the glow plugs went out. If you don't think the white smoke is related to that, then I guess I'm a little concerned.
On a side note, the battery was replaced with a subpar unit by either the owner or dealer sometime before I purchased. I guess they were trying to save a few bucks...although it looks pretty new, it's only around 600 CCA, well under what these trucks request. I'm thinking of swapping it out real soon. Perhaps it's not cranking well enough, and that is leading to unburned fuel?? I'm still learning about these little diesel monsters. It's fun, but a little nerve wracking to learn as I go. So far, the scariest thing was stripping the last of the threads on the oil pan (previous owner did 90% of the damage, I believe), and having to heli-coil. Thank god it's holding up well. I was also very nervous replacing plugs...fearing breakage in the head, etc. Now, I've got head gasket leak-a-phobia. Oh well....I will overcome my fears....slowly....