Diesel Doctor

[ILoveNYCA]

I have a 1997 Chevy 3500HD 6.5t diesel truck. When it gets warm up to 170 degrees, it shuts off and dies. I try to restart it and it starts up by pumping the gas and blows white smoke and runs rough.
Do you know what the problem might be?

Thanks!
Amanda

[JohnC]

Could be a lot of things.

Are there any codes stored?

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

Is the fuel lift pump operating correctly?

Is the fuel tank vent operating correctly? Try running with the cap loose.

"Pumping the gas" should have no effect. The PCM ignores throttle input until the engine starts.

[ILoveNYCA]

I don't have to pump the gas, but I will restart it and it will be harder for it to stay running.
It will sound like it tries to clear up when I ease on the gas pedal (hold it) and it blows white smoke when it runs rough.

There are no codes stored. The air/and fuel filter were recently changed. The engine runs fine until it gets to about 170 degrees and then it cuts out and dies. I will try to restart it, it starts but keeping turning off. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

[JohnC]

Is the fuel lift pump operating correctly?

Is the fuel tank vent operating correctly? Try running with the cap loose.

When it dies, is it like you shut the key off, or does it start to run rough then slowly die?

Don't take offense, but how did you determine there are no codes stored?

Elaborate on the 170 degree thing. Is it exactly the same temp each time? How did you determine that? Can you read the engine temperature from the PCM when this happens?

[ILoveNYCA]

Yes it runs right until it reaches 170 degrees. I will check on the fuel tank situation.
It dies when the key shuts off - and its hard to start, but then its runs rough. If you wait a day or so, it runs fine. There is no engine light on.

It is always at the same temperature.