Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Bucking truck and white smoke

[David Wheeler]

Unplugged this morning and fired her up. Even after being plugged in for 4 hours, "Wait to Start" stayed on for 15 seconds (10 degrees this morning). Gingerly drive the truck as normal waiting for operating temps. PS pump squalling like a cat, but that's normal on these cold mornings. Anyway, 5 miles down the road and the beast starts bucking and acting like it's out of fuel. Got stopped, idled fine. Tried to go again and around 1800-2000 rpm it starts bucking again. Eased out of the throttle and kept moving slowly. Started climbing a small hill and the view through the mirrors was a white wall of smoke!! Time to pull off! Again idled fine. Limped the truck to work at 25 mph on the shoulder of the road. Any faster and the bucking worsened. At lunch time went out see if warming in the sun may have helped the situation. No soap! Opened the hood, pulled the drain valve on the fuel filter canister and "woosh!!!!" Never heard that before! Sounded like someone opening a 32oz pop bottle. Took the top off the fuel filter and found nothing strange (no frozen matter or gel). Drained off some fuel (sorry, on the ground ) Replaced top and re-torqued. Fired it up, drove it down the road... ... no more problem! Now I wonder what gives?? Air in the fuel filter canister? If so, how did it get there? Changed fuel filter a week ago, primed before starting and all was fine. 1/8 tank of fuel..... too much air space for the cold?



Any experience that will explain this and possibly help someone else will be appreciated. Sorry for such a LONG post



David

 

[Bigsaint]

David, it was either one of two things, IMHO. One being your lift pump is on the way out ( which I'm doubting under these circumstances) or two, you had some gelled fuel in the tank. You really need to add a FP gauge to the truck. I had a similar experience last night when I left work. It was below zero and the truck was sitting for about 8 hours. I had it plugged in so it started fine and the FP was great at idle. When I started rolling, I noticed my FP was low, even under light throttle. I took it real slow for about 3 miles, then it cleared right up and the FP was back to normal. I'm guessing that some of the fuel in the tank had started to gell and the return flow of warm fuel eventually warmed it enough to make it more fluid.



You really need to try to keep the tank near full, especially in the winter months, to avoid condensation. I don't know if your diesel is winterized down there, but regardless, pick up some diesel additive that will add lubrication to the pump and help lower the pour point of the fuel.



Scott W.

 

[David Wheeler]

Thanks Scott!



Condensation, I didn't think of that. That would explain how water may have been present. I DO need to add gauges. Had the LP replaced about 5K ago... . it finally gave it up. But without gauges, who would know. I'll keep that tank more full from now on during these very cold days.



Thanks again for the reply and for possibly helping others with the same problem/symptoms.



David