I just picked up a 1990 Ram 150 with a 318. I love the truck I only have one problem with it. When the engine is cold the things starts like a dream and will continue running until I turn off the key. However, there is no way in hell that I can start the thing if the engine is warm. Has anyone else out there ran into this lovely problem or am I the only lucky one? Any comments or suggestions would definately be welcomed.

 

Just a guess, but I'm thinking starter. I had this problem with a truck once after I put headers on it. Starter was getting hot and wouldn't turn over.

Hope that helps.

 

no, it's not the starter. The thing will crank and crank even backfire, but I'll be damned if it starts

 

Does your 90 have a coil? I'm not sure about the older Dodges but I had a Triumph TR7 that did the same thing. I fought it for over a year just to find out that the coil would get hot and it wouldn't start until it had cooled down. Just a thought. Good luck

 

If the coil is getting too hot you should check the voltage - iirc it needs about 12v to start, but after that it should only be getting 10v or so. In the auto class I took we were hard-wiring coils to batteries without a resistor and they'd overheat and start oozing oil, then die.

 

I have a 89 ram 318, it has 150,000 on it and when it's cold it's starts right up but when it's warm it sorta fights and it takes longer. I'm going to do a major tune up and see if it helps.
Do you still have all you emissions stuff on it? does you temp gauge work?
Rob

 

On mine? aftermarket temp gauge and factory both work, emissions stuff long gone.

Hot start problems can sometimes be caused by the fuel boiling in the carb. If it'll start right up cold, or if you shut it off and back on right away, but when you let it sit for a few it won't start you might have problems with the fuel evaporating.

It's possible the starter gets too hot and won't turn the engine over fast enough for it to start.

 

Alrighty folks, just changed the coil, the distributer, and the magnetic pickup. It's better now, but every now and then it still doesn't start when warm. I don't think it's a problem with the fuel evaporating because it takes at least an hour before I can restart the thing. I still have all the emissions on there. The only thing that isn't on there is the idle motor, could that be the problem?

 

can you get it nice and hot, then shut it off and verify it won't start, then hose down the starter with AIR for a few minutes to cool it, and try starting? I'm trying to think of what might cause the problem, and something getting heat soaked seems to be the culprit.