Starter Issues - Or Worse?

[SaintlySins]

Starter Motor stays engaged for a long time before motor turns over.
Sounds a little like it's spinning faster than usual - but I may be wrong about speed as it's never spun very long at all

Any clues, ideas?

2021 EcoDiesel Limited
25K miles
Just started within 50 miles after a fill up from 1/8 tank
Ambient Temps 35 degrees.

 

[06 Dodge]

I would think it would be coved under the 3/36 warranty...

 

[SaintlySins]

Thanks - my intention is to get it into shop - but I'm traveling thus Turkey Day weekend and worried I'm doing harm with each start - about 4 times daily - or, I'll go somewhere and get stranded.

If I was back home, I could just use another car until Ram could go into the shop.

If this is serious, I'll see what dealer can take it, fly home Sunday and come back when it's fixed.


Still looking for answers.

 

[SaintlySins]

No dealership in the Rocky Mountains can even take the truck till Mid December.

So I took a deep dive into the Internet and came back with two "possible" problems and temp solutions.

1. When I filled the tank, it was bad Diesel and to have tank drained (not possible on my own in remote Mountains) and\or add Diesel conditioner\booster to the tank.


2. It might be a plug that prevents the Fuel from flowing back to the tank after stopping is malfunctioning.
Turn the Aux on for a minute before hitting ignition, which should reload the fuel line and it'll start right up.


The 2nd one worked. Several times. And I got Hot Shots Diesel Additive into the tank too.


I'm feeling a LOT MORE comfortable now. When I get back home I'll have my local Dealer take a look.


Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving!

 

[06 Dodge]

No dealership in the Rocky Mountains can even take the truck till Mid December.

So I took a deep dive into the Internet and came back with two "possible" problems and temp solutions.

1. When I filled the tank, it was bad Diesel and to have tank drained (not possible on my own in remote Mountains) and\or add Diesel conditioner\booster to the tank.


2. It might be a plug that prevents the Fuel from flowing back to the tank after stopping is malfunctioning.
Turn the Aux on for a minute before hitting ignition, which should reload the fuel line and it'll start right up.


The 2nd one worked. Several times. And I got Hot Shots Diesel Additive into the tank too.


I'm feeling a LOT MORE comfortable now. When I get back home I'll have my local Dealer take a look.


Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving!

How long has to been since you drained the fuel filter, changed out the fuel filter? I have no experience with Hot Shot products, I have been using Opti lube products in my 22 for the past 7 months, the old fail safe that is available all most everywhere is Power Service Winter in the white bottle as it will help with water in your fuel and its also an anti gel, good luck...

 

[SaintlySins]

How long has to been since you drained the fuel filter, changed out the fuel filter? I have no experience with Hot Shot products, I have been using Opti lube products in my 22 for the past 7 months, the old fail safe that is available all most everywhere is Power Service Winter in the white bottle as it will help with water in your fuel and its also an anti gel, good luck...

Ram had a full service (dealer) about 800 miles ago, all filters emptied and changed.

I've used vehicle several times: first two I turned did the Aux for 20 seconds before starting and no issues.

Had a brain-fart and used AutoStart and happy to report it started right up. Went straight to ignition every time since and it's starting immediately.

As for why I picked what Diesel Additives to use, I was shown/given a link to this very detailed test of the major Diesel brands. Here's the video - hope it helps:

Which Diesel Anti-Gel Additive is Best? Power Service Diesel, Howes, Hot Shots, Stanadyne

Power Service Diesel Supplement Antigel, Howes Diesel Lubricator Diesel Treatment, Stanadyne Performance Formula, Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, A...

youtu.be

 

[KoboldTaco]

OP for your back-of-mind thoughts, a clogged DPF will also cause long crank. Does not seem to be your issue but good to know for the future.

 

[06 Dodge]

Ram had a full service (dealer) about 800 miles ago, all filters emptied and changed.

I've used vehicle several times: first two I turned did the Aux for 20 seconds before starting and no issues.

Had a brain-fart and used AutoStart and happy to report it started right up. Went straight to ignition every time since and it's starting immediately.

As for why I picked what Diesel Additives to use, I was shown/given a link to this very detailed test of the major Diesel brands. Here's the video - hope it helps:

Which Diesel Anti-Gel Additive is Best? Power Service Diesel, Howes, Hot Shots, Stanadyne

Power Service Diesel Supplement Antigel, Howes Diesel Lubricator Diesel Treatment, Stanadyne Performance Formula, Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, A...

youtu.be

I'm not one to trust any U tube person, as for long cranks if your in colder temps of the Rocky Mt it takes longer for the engine to start in cooler temps, this is why Cummins put a grid heater in the air intake to aid in start up in cold temps. Also if your in areas of cold the fuel sold is normally winterized (aka blended with #1 diesel) for the expected temp in that area as #2 diesel will start to gel around 32 degrees so its a good idea to let the glow plugs ( I think the newer once still have them) in your eco diesel to run there cycle to aid startup....

 

[SaintlySins]

Thank you to @KoboldTaco & @06 Dodge for optional advice/opinions.

Sad to report the long crank is back. HOWEVER ... for the first time, so is the warning the Water Fuel Filter Warning Light.

Makes me think the Ram Service I had only 800 Miles and two tank-fulls ago didn't really do the Fuel Filter as it says on my receipt! It's hard for me to believe there's a filter full of water in only 36 gallons, one fill from a Truck Stop on highway with a line of truckers and high diesel turn over and a popular intersection in Denver Fuel station.

Got back to house in the mountains and will go out in morning and drain the filter. Brrrr!

If this is/was the problem - there's a meeting with a Service Manager and I when I get back home! LOLOLL

 

[George Anderson]

No dealership in the Rocky Mountains can even take the truck till Mid December.

So I took a deep dive into the Internet and came back with two "possible" problems and temp solutions.

1. When I filled the tank, it was bad Diesel and to have tank drained (not possible on my own in remote Mountains) and\or add Diesel conditioner\booster to the tank.


2. It might be a plug that prevents the Fuel from flowing back to the tank after stopping is malfunctioning.
Turn the Aux on for a minute before hitting ignition, which should reload the fuel line and it'll start right up.


The 2nd one worked. Several times. And I got Hot Shots Diesel Additive into the tank too.


I'm feeling a LOT MORE comfortable now. When I get back home I'll have my local Dealer take a look.


Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving!

Hot Shots Secret is excellent for diesel fuel. Highly Recommend! Especially below freezing temps.