Man, pull a 14k pound trailer and it'll help remind you of what you need to do.

Recently, I have not been as diligent on my maintenance as I should have been. Dunno if this is something by happenstance or a related issue.

This only occurs after the truck sits for a while. The truck cranks just fine, but right at initial idle, I get a stutter then after a couple seconds goes away.

I'm thinking I may be suffering from a leaky banjo tee? At the least getting air in the fuel lines somewhere. Thoughts?

Just seems ironic this happens after pulling my trailer. I was keeping an eye on egts and never saw it go more than 1200 momentarily.

I did at one point for some reason see my coolant reach 240. Although I have not checked for white puff of smoke not smell for a sweet smell or check oil or coolant. Shouldn't be a blown head gasket, should it?

Edited May 26, 20159 yr by hex0rz

Sounds like air getting into the system. When the coolant temp started rising were you climbing a grade or normal flat driving?

Sound like some one need to clean up his cooling system.

http://forum.mopar1973man.com/index.php?/topic/10057-summer-is-about-here/

 

I typically see 210-215 climbing a grade but nothing more. It could be a fan clutch failing or plugged radiator face (I know you got bugs!). How is the coolant level in the radiator cold? Are you getting coolant from the bottle yet or failed hose?

 

If the line has any pressure at all it will leak out. Even dampen a fitting. So I would power wash everything let it dry and let the truck idle for a period of time looking for the damp fitting.

I had a clutch fan go out about 10 years ago, and it was at the worst time, over a steep grade pass.  I had to pull over every 3 miles and let it cool then repeat.  When I got home I bought a new clutch and even had a shop make me the wrenches that I needed to remove it.  I still have those wrenches....LOL That was the best $100 I ever spent.  I was going to donate them to the Napa store in case anyone else ever needed them.  I even painted them in blue hammerite paint. 

JL Welding made me a set of wrenches and I've got them here for fan clutch replacements.

Any more thoughts on the initial startup?

If its a air bubble in the fuel system you should see a dip in the pressure as it passes possibly. Park it nose down to see if it changes.

Nose down, that might be a little difficult, lol. How much of an incline do I need.

Try and get the fuel tank above the injection pump for level.

My truck was over heating when pulling a trailer.  On grades, as the EGT increased, so would coolant temp.  Looking at the radiator it looked clear but I pulled it any way and I was surprised how plugged it was--similar to the picture floating around this site.  I soaked it in degreaser and pressure washed it, carefully, and I have never had any other issues.  Easy too, the radiator takes very little to pull.

Like these...

 

_{That's pretty close to how mine looked.  Looking down at the radiator while it was installed you wouldn't have known it.  Pull it and check, easy to do.}

Edited May 26, 20159 yr by Hawkez