Somthin strange goin on....any ideas appreciated.

I drove home the other day and some FOD ended up covering the rad for 30 + miles and the temp gauage went to 1/2 for approx 1/2 hour before I figured it out.

since then, on cold starts it takes 7-9 seconds of cranking to get her started. Idles rough for 2-3 seconds then clears up. Starts right away when warm. This is a truck that has started perfectly for over 50000 miles since i bought her.

Gas consumption has apparently more than doubled <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />
Still on my first tank stil, but am on my way to getting only 150 miles from this full tank, compared to 260?
Not for certain though.
Checked the oil dip and cap, no strange klingons like i have seen previously from Rad fluid ( blown Head gasket ) contamination.

Thoughts?

Happy New YEAR !!