[Gregs04.5]

Just started having issues last week, hard start when cold, cranks over fine, but may take 10-20 seconds to actually start. Usually will sputter for a bit, then all 8 start to fire.
Also, once it starts it will restart without issue until it's cold again.
Another issue that came up at the same time, after driving to full engine temp, after shut down, and restart, the temp gauge will peg full hot, and a warning comes up on the dash. If I key the ignition a few times, I can get the gauge back to normal, and warning goes away.
Any thoughts? I'll be running a fuel pressure check in the morning, and will check all grounds for corrosion.

TIA, Greg.

 

[Pest0001]

What area/location are you? What kind of temps are we talking about? Have you had it checked with a scan tool? If the thermostat has locked shut, you'll definitely have temp issues. Block heaters are an easy fix for cold climates. They make 'wrap around' ones that is a line you mount around the block to preheat. I'm a fan of the oil pan heater, essentially a heating coil that replaces your oil drain bolt. Both have a 3-pronged plug you can tuck into the panel where the front door opens, forward side. A little bit of a hassle as when you park you have to have an extension cord plugged into it and you can run it into the garage. Then when you get up in the morning, plug it in for 15 minutes. Heats the oil and radiates up throughout. Just be sure to unplug it before you start up and drive off lol.
But for sure, check out any associated codes with the warning lights. Hope you find the culprit. Let us know if you do please.

 

[Pest0001]

Also, the thermostat is relatively easy to replace. Might pop off the housing and see if maybe it seized shut or mechanism has failed. Be sure to replace all the gaskets as well. And if you're feeling froggy, go ahead and knock out a flush and refill.
**Curious, are you running summer coolant or winter? Or changed or flushed the cooling system in a while? If not, might be the issue as well. I had a buddy with a Ram that constantly was running hot. Turned out the reservoir lines had clogged, and looked like his coolant lever was good, however, the radiator side was almost completely empty. He was lucky and didn't burn anything up. Just a thought.

 

[IgorY]

Also, the thermostat is relatively easy to replace. Might pop off the housing and see if maybe it seized shut or mechanism has failed. Be sure to replace all the gaskets as well. And if you're feeling froggy, go ahead and knock out a flush and refill.
**Curious, are you running summer coolant or winter? Or changed or flushed the cooling system in a while? If not, might be the issue as well. I had a buddy with a Ram that constantly was running hot. Turned out the reservoir lines had clogged, and looked like his coolant lever was good, however, the radiator side was almost completely empty. He was lucky and didn't burn anything up. Just a thought.

Thank you. I will replace the thermostat and gaskets

 

[Gregs04.5]

A little follow up, The car eventually threw a P1299 code, which leads directly to the cylinder head temp sensor. After a little interweb digging, this all made sense, as the High temp alert and temp gauge pegging was very temporary (would resume a normal state after keying the ignition) and the engine was not actually overheating.
Using my foxwell scanner, I noticed that when the engine was stone cold, and outside temps were close to zero, the cylinder head temp sender was reporting *159F.
Replacing the sender was no fun, had to remove the alternator, and custom bend a 3/4" wrench as the sender is sandwiched under the manifold.
After replacement, the car started normally, no more long cranking sessions, and chugging starts, and no more false high temp alerts, and it seems to be running better, as, if I'm not mistaken, the sender has a direct effect on A/F ratio.

*5F this morning, and start up was back to normal, multiple start/stops last night and no false high temp alerts. I think this issue is resolved.

FWIW, Greg.