Hello!

1994 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.2L 318. and before we get there and y'all judge the truck as junk, it has been consistently maintained. I am the third owner and have had it 20 years, and 150kmiles of the 312k. Shout out to Lucas oil stabilizer, and Valvoline synthetic blend oil for a great combination.

Symptoms
Long cranks on hot days above 80' ambient

Immediate start on cool days below 70'

Work around, cycle key, crank for >2 seconds, cycle ignition again immediately start. Runs great, no hesitation in acceleration, and runs and idles smoothly. Pinging when under a load up a hill between 40-65mph this has always been present and I have seen many others comment on the Dodge 318 ping, but no one seems to have a tack pinned on it either.

Sarts immediately when left for > 45 minutes, you may or may not need to cycle the key twice to start.

On hot days, there is a short puff of white/blue smoke upon start-up, and nothing else after. Does not persist. Leaks oil, may burn some, but never visible!

The issue developed after being trailered and moving from 3200ft elevation to 1200ft elevation. It used to start the first cycle of the key in <1-2 seconds.

Thank you all for taking a gander at this!

 

That's an odd one..... Do you have a scanner that can read live data???

 

This would make me think map sensor. I would see what the fuel pressure is at key on also. And for the record I would never call a Dodge "junk". Well it would have to be in really bad shape at least.