C9 engine no go on cold

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C9 engine no go on cold

October 23, 2006, 10:56:06 pm

Hi Everyone,

Some time ago I asked if anyone had this problem that we are still having: we start it up in the morning, it runs good for about two minutes, then it runs very rough for about 2-5 minutes, then it starts to run smoothly and usually we can go, except that we usually let her run for at least 10-15 minutes to make sure it is good and warmed up.
If we try to go too quickly, when it put it in Drive, there is NO response from the peddle. We have had it checked by 4 different Cat service centers but no one has been able to figure it out or fix it. I believe others were having the same thing happening so I was wondering if anyone has gotten it fixed.

Thanks,

Larry & Linda Vandehoef
05 Inspire #51469

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #1 – October 24, 2006, 12:37:31 am

Yahoo Message Number: 26317

Hi,

check first the peddle by using the speed control to speed up the engine.

Hermann.. the German

2006 Inspire #51762

before

2004 Inspire # 51104

Quote from: Linda & Larry Vandehoef

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #2 – October 24, 2006, 10:14:55 am

Yahoo Message Number: 26323

We have tried both ways...with the cruise control on, also with it off...it doesn't seem to make any difference. It seems like the fuel drains out of the lines overnight and then once she gets warmed up she runs fine all day.

Larry & Linda
05 Inspire #51469

Quote from: Hermann Robels"

Hi,

check first the peddle by using the speed control to speed up the

engine.

Quote

>

Hermann.. the German

2006 Inspire #51762

before

2004 Inspire # 51104

Quote from: Linda & Larry[/quote

Vandehoef"

Quote
>]
>

> Hi Everyone,
>

> Some time ago I asked if anyone had this problem that we are

still

Quote
having: we start it up in the morning, it runs good for about

two

Quote
minutes, then it runs very rough for about 2-5 minutes, then it

starts

Quote
to run smoothly and usually we can go, except that we usually

let her

Quote
run for at least 10-15 minutes to make sure it is good and

warmed up.

Quote
If we try to go too quickly, when it put it in Drive, there is

NO

Quote
response from the peddle. We have had it checked by 4 different

Cat

Quote
service centers but no one has been able to figure it out or fix

it. I

Quote
believe others were having the same thing happening so I was

wondering

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #3 – October 24, 2006, 12:26:43 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26327

This is a common problem with many (c9) Inspires. So far, I have not heard of this problem with other coaches that have the c9. Might even be a transmission or CC install problem.
The problem is intermittent. About 40 starts will be normal then you get one where the coach refuses to move. Just like you said, the coach will be normal at first then after a couple of minutes the coach refuses to move then after a few more minutes the coach will be normal for the rest of the day.
I would call CC tech and the cat hotline and let them know of your problem. The response I got was "gee, I haven't heard of that one".
I also heard of a CC driver that got stalled out on the railroad tracks just west of camp CC with an Inspire. The first start of the day the coach got him to the tracks then refused to move.
I wish CC would dedicate an engineer (or a smart guy in a suit) to fixing the problem. I don't believe that this problem is going away, or very high on the CC priority list.
You have to be very careful leaving a campground and pulling out into traffic because there is always a chance the coach WON'T accelerate.

Jim 2005 Inspire #51 something.

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #4 – October 24, 2006, 01:53:46 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26335

I had a similar problem with my C9 Inspire until I had the Feb o6 flash update installed. It runs beautifully now with no hesitation or black smoke.

Inspire Devinci
51319

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #5 – October 24, 2006, 02:09:36 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26339

From my limited knowledge, a diesel must be primed to start. Some even have pumps and a procedure to start if you run out of fuel, which is not a good idea. However, the problem looks like one of lack of fuel. Has anyone gone over the fuel pump? Has anyone check to see if the pump is performing within specifications. With several issues which seem to have the same symptom if could very well be a defective part that got into the Cat. line during assembly. Hope this helps.

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #6 – October 24, 2006, 03:31:43 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26343

In a message dated 10/24/2006 10:57:35 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, I had the cat 06 flash completed on my coach and it did smooth out the brief hesitation that the c9 was born with, and I would say the engine generally runs better.
The 06 flash did not take care of the refusal to go problem.

Jim 2005 Inspire

hodge.phillips@... writes:

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #7 – October 24, 2006, 04:25:34 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26345

I would be surprised if the problem is in the fuel pump. First, the engine always starts just fine and the engine performs well under high fuel demand conditions. The problem manifests itself under low fuel demand conditions.
My gut is telling me that the problem is going to be found somewhere in Caterpillar's acert technology.
Jim 2005 Inspire

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #8 – October 24, 2006, 06:09:20 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26346

For what it's worth, our '04 with a C7 can be completely gutless if we don't let the engine warm up for maybe five minutes or so. I've assumed it was an issue of the turbo being up to temperature, because the manufacturer states something to that effect I believe in the Cat manual.

Bill & Debbie in San Diego

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #9 – October 24, 2006, 06:40:49 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26348

That is how mine was, no power at low rpm ran ok at higher rpm. It finally gave error message, needed new fuel pump. good luck

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #10 – October 24, 2006, 08:17:48 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26352

Jim,

Yes, ours did it intermitantly at first but came more often as time went by to where now it is every time.
Also, our coach was one that the tech at JC took from camp CC in the morning and it did it on the railroad tracks, scared the heck out of him, he said he was ready to bail out & leave it. We have told CC about it last year, no answer from them, had it in to Peterson in Eugene over night so it would be cold for the start in the morning, had a guy hook up his computer to it when we started it up in the morning, rode around with him but he could not find anything wrong; he said it was plenty warm when we took off that day, so that wasn't the problem. He tried, but could not come up with an answer. We just make sure we let it warm up in the morning because it is not cool to leave the RV park and have it just sit there and not go. Hopefully CAT will come up with an answer, soon, it is very annoying, plus all the fuel we waste waiting for 10-15 minutes. Besides, bothering our neighbors in the morning.

Larry & Linda-

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #11 – October 24, 2006, 08:26:54 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26354

This affects many c-9's and Cat is aware of it. They are in the process of getting their latest flash approved by the EPA. It has to do with the cold start circuitry. Call them and get on their, CAT list for notification. I spoke to them the first of this month and they are projecting December for a fix. In the mean time if you are having this problem, plug the engine heater on and it will solve the issue, not the best but at least you won't have to let it idle for 10-15 minutes until it warms up.

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #12 – October 25, 2006, 07:47:43 am

Yahoo Message Number: 26358

Hi Jake, I do not have the C9 but have been following this thread. I am trying to understand the correlation between the engine block heater and the 'cold start' symptom that owners are experiencing.

I thought the block heater only warmed the engine oil thus enabling the battery to easily crank the engine in severely cold weather. Only after the engine has fired and run for a few minutes will the rest of the engine warm up.

I was also wondering what effect the different grades of diesel fuel has on the starting problem. My understanding is that there is a difference between diesel sold in the winter in the NorthEast compared to diesel sold in Arizona?

My knowledge on this issue is almost nil so would be interested to hear and learn from those who know.

Thanks, David

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #13 – October 25, 2006, 08:11:43 am

Yahoo Message Number: 26360

David -

I'm not Jake, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night :-)
The block heater has an electric element one of the coolant passages in the engine block. When the heater is plugged in, it will heat the coolant and the block through the coolant. There is no direct heating of the oil. If you leave the block heaters of most diesel engines plugged in long enough, the engine temp gauge will read something above the cold mark. Our previous motorhome had a C7 engine and on cold nights when we would be leaving the next day, I would turn on the block heater overnight. At startup, the next morning, the coolant temp gauge would show in the normal operating range ...... Granted cold along the South Carolina coast is in the low 30s

Sam

Tribute #81002

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #14 – October 25, 2006, 01:09:52 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26373

I did not realize it was your coach that stalled on the tracks. Too bad the CC president was not onboard, the problem would have received more attention.
Hopefully, cat has the fix in the works, at least they don't deny the problem.
I must admit it never occurred to me to plug in the engine heater, but if it tricks the cold start circuitry out of the no go mode, it might be worth a try.
Excessively long warm-ups can't be good for the engine and is a waste of fuel, not to mention being a bad neighbor.
Jim

2005 Inspire

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #15 – October 25, 2006, 08:11:51 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26376

Well, we tried plugging in the engine heater but it didn't do any good this morning. Actually the engine even quit after a couple minutes. So, that did not work for us.
Linda

05 Inspire #51469-

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #16 – October 25, 2006, 08:37:29 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26377

Quote

Quote

I wonder why they put those engine heaters on diesels? ron 98 Allure 30185

C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #17 – October 25, 2006, 10:16:21 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26381

Caterpillar has acknowledged to me that the problem is theirs and they are working on it.

Just out of curiosity, what model Inspires are having this problem? I have the daVinci, and I have the power loss about every other or every third cold start. Ambient temperature or altitude makes no difference. I have the latest software installed.

Any Genoas or Sienas with the problem?

Jay

05 Inspire daVinci 51457

Re: C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #18 – October 25, 2006, 11:12:35 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26383

Jay,

I have an 06 Inspire Sienna with the Cat C9 engine. So far no problems (and keeping my fingers crossed).

Harry

06 Inspire 51933

Re: C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #19 – October 26, 2006, 09:22:58 am

Yahoo Message Number: 26387

We have the Genoa model & our number is very close to Jay's...#51469. Ours does it every time now, we have almost 21000 miles on it.
Larry & Linda
05 Inspire #51469

Quote from: pelicanreef120"

Caterpillar has acknowledged to me that the problem is theirs and

they

Quote

are working on it.

Just out of curiosity, what model Inspires are having this

problem? I

Quote

have the daVinci, and I have the power loss about every other or

every

Re: C9 engine no go on cold

Reply #20 – October 26, 2006, 01:13:39 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26398

I see your driving a Tribute, Tee us akk about it. A friend of ours has a coachman gasser and wants to upgrade.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #21 – October 26, 2006, 03:24:52 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26402

Linda & Larry

my 2007 Genoa is #51762, now 12 000 mi When did the problem start? Maybe after a software update?

Hermann

Quote from: Linda & Larry Vandehoef

Re: C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #22 – October 26, 2006, 06:08:19 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26408

Jay

I have an 06 Inspire DaVinci with a C9, and no issues so far (fingers crossed).

Phil, 06 Inspire #51836

Re: C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #23 – October 26, 2006, 07:34:35 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26411

Hi Guys,

Had our 2006 Inspire Sienna for almost 18 months with approx 7500 miles on the clock. Never seen this "cold start/poor pulling problem as yet. I always follow the manual and wait for block heater light to go out which usually takes approx 10-15 secs before cranking the engine. When started I then wait for air brake pressure to build up which takes approx another 15-20secs. Getting the coach out of my driveway takes another 5-10minutes which I suppose gives the engine a little time to warm up before driving off.
Never seen any hesitation when starting off even when pulling my Jeep etc.

After we had the coach for about 4 months it did go into fail safe mode for no apparent reason, we was on a flat strait suburban road at the time 5 miles from home. Caterpillar and Allison upgraded the programs and all has been well since, but they never mentioned any starting problems. We have travelled through the high desert to Las Vegas and recently completed a 2200 mile trip to Canada also with no problems.

However on one occasion the engine appeared to be misfiring after I changed down into 3rd when climbing a long grade and overtaking a string of trucks, again when pulling the jeep. Revs appeared to be over 2200+ so assumed rev limiter had cut in. I changed back to 4th and all was ok.

Question - I have not seen any reference in manuals to a remote block heater, only the heater used at cold start from dashboard.I assume their may be another plug in heater for extreme weather?.
T & P D

06 Inspire Sienna 51554
06 Cherokee Overland

Re: C9 Engine Power Loss

Reply #24 – October 26, 2006, 08:28:27 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 26413

Herman,

The first time it happened was after about the first month....then maybe a month later....then maybe 2 weeks later....then sooner & sooner, until now it is every time. We just plan on it & let her warm up 10-15 minutes.

Linda

05 Inspire #51469

Quote from: Hermann Robels"

Linda & Larry

my 2007 Genoa is #51762, now 12 000 mi > When did the problem start? Maybe after a software update? >

Hermann

Quote from: Linda & Larry[/quote

Vandehoef"

Quote
>]
>

> We have the Genoa model & our number is very close to > > Jay's...#51469. Ours does it every time now, we have almost

21000

Quote
miles on it.
> Larry & Linda
> 05 Inspire #51469

Quote from: pelicanreef120"
> >

> > Caterpillar has acknowledged to me that the problem is theirs

and

Quote
they

> > are working on it.
> >

> > Just out of curiosity, what model Inspires are having this > > problem? I

> > have the daVinci, and I have the power loss about every other

or

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