Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cold Weather Problem

[TWaterman]

Yesterday while driving at 55 MPH, my truck just stopped running, like it is

starving for fuel. Coasted to the side of the highway, ended up having it

towed back to residence. I keep it plugged in on these cold nights, and know'

that only adds some warmth to the block for the oil. I believe what has

happened is that small amount of moisture gelled in my fuel filter. This '98 has 115K on it, I have owned it since late '07. It always runs what I call

very cool, unless I am towing temp gauge hardly moves off the cold mark, and when it does go up it returns back to original position. I didnt think it

worked when I first purchased the truck. A suggestion from someone while

I was on the side of the road yesterday was I either have no thermostat or it is stuck open. I haven't checked it. Question here after this lengthy para is what are other 12V owners experiencing in cold weather? Maybe I should be

adding something to my fuel. Had another person tell me out here that he puts in 1/2 of reg unleaded gas to every tank full to remove any moisture. Any thoughts out there? Other than this present issue I have been very satisfied with the truck. The KDP is blocked, I have no oil leaks anywhere, I use Amsoil Series 3000. New brakes, tires, new upper front ball joints, new carrier bearing, rebuilt rear end (limited slip), new transmission 20K ago), installed Larry B's contacts and plunger in the starter, Banks Stinger and Prime Loc relocated for the fuel filter. Supposed to warm above freezing tomorrow, plan to pick up new fuel filter from local NAPA and try starting it. Thanks for an responses and sorry for being long winded. Haven't posted anything in quite some time and am appreciative for the advice received in the past. From a cool central Oregon have a nice day. Tom

 

[TWaterman]

So after posting my last thread I sat here and searched the forum and have read all the comments on fuel (gelled). I am going to wait a day or two till it warms up then tackle the issue. No need for any replies, I should have searched earlier. Thanks, Tom

 

[fest3er]

So after posting my last thread I sat here and searched the forum and have read all the comments on fuel (gelled). I am going to wait a day or two till it warms up then tackle the issue. No need for any replies, I should have searched earlier. Thanks, Tom

I will anyway.



If it isn't too cold, you might be able to start it, put some anti-gel in the tank and get it to circulate. Or you can try some of the emergency thawer which is supposed to work just by pouring it in the tank. Once driving up in WI, the temp was just right; truck ran fine around town, but once on the highway, it gelled. Slow down, it thawed again. @#$*&^ untreated fuel!



Last time my fuel gelled, it was -14 up dere in Mich. It would start and run for a minute or so. I ended up putting it in my brother's garage and putting a propane heater ('flat panel' heater mounted to a BBQ-size tank) under the filter/pre-screener, then the lines, and then thawing the whole tank. Once I thawed the tank, the anti-gel I put in circulated and I was able to hit the road about 10-ish that morning. The tank wasn't hot, though it was warm to the touch.



If I do any winter driving this year, I'll probably buy a bottle of emergency thawer and keep a fair amount of anti-gel in the truck with me. I've turned into a real southern boy; 80F feels nice and 90F is a little warm. And zero's too blame cold to be going out.

 

[Skydiver]

TWaterman, What was the temperature when all this happened? What checks have you performed so far? Have you done anything to the fuel system recently?

Engine stop solenoid OK?

 

[GOlsen]

As far as your engine temperature issue, mine did the same thing when my thermostat was stuck open.

 

[Dr.Bob]

You might have a new thermostat, I went back to the old style that waves up and down, at least I know it is getting up to temp.

 

[TWaterman]

Thanks all for the responses. It is zero degrees here this morning. Supposed to warm a little. Only thing I have done thus far is add some of the emerg thaw stuff, waiting till we get above freezing before I start it. This has been an awesome vehicle and I am just going to keep the block heater plugged in and wait for this cold to move on to the east and out of here. Am going to have to give the thermostat a look, cuz I am not sure what is in there. Thanks, TW

 

[kenny61]

You can try emptying the filter and fill it with the fuel treatment. I know the stuff I used to have said you could do that. I have an a few rare occasions had a fuel issue when it got into at least 10 or colder. The three or five times it happened the truck ran crappy from the start and would only reach 10 or 15 mph. Pulling over to the side of the road abd keeping the idle up around 1200 -1500 rpm would clear it out in about 5 minutes. the fuel heater in the pump does not work on my truck. Not that it couldn't have gelled up while you were driving I find it unlikely. I would suggest pulling the fuel return line from the pump and see if you have fuel flowing when you crank it. Also making sure the shut off solenoid is pulled up. After you get it running steal your wifes turkey thermometer and drop it into the radiator to diagnose if it is a gauge problem or if the engine is in fact running that cold

 

[chopperman]

I had a 94 that gelled on night when it got below zero. I took off the filter filled it with antigel and reinstalled. That got me off the side of the road and home. It would start and idle but around 1800 rpm it would stave for fuel and die. Reprimed it and let it idle for 30-45 mins. same thing again. Finally I put a piece of cardboard over the radiator to cover the wind that worked and ran like a champ. Without the cardboard the fan would regell the fuel, even with antigel in it, with the air blocked it totally worked. I know it sounds crazybut it worked. Also it was so cold that day my thermostat never moved off the cold sideuntil I blocked off the air. Give it a try. Brian

 

[Skydiver]

I would also block the radiator air flow. I always use a plastic political sign with an 8" hole cut right where the fan clutch is located. If I remember correctly that type sign leaves a small gap on each side for a little air flow. Place it between the condensor and radiator. I can leave it in untill temps rise above 40F as long as I'm not towing or working the engine. It's easy to forget that it's in there.

 

[MMcCallie]

I've had filters freeze on the interstate. I once ended up coasting wildly across a ditch and an outer road and finally stopping in an empty parking lot. Darn hydroboost reduced me to manual steering and brakes. I almost always dump in additive when I refill the fuel tank. I would pour some Diesel 911 or other potent anti-gel additive directly into the fuel filter as previously recommended and prime it manually at the lift pump.

I have had a thermostat stick open while descending the front range in Colorado. My engine coolant temperature dropped well into the two digit range, almost as cold as ambient. After having a few more thermostats stick shut and overheat a few times I am now running without any thermostat. I have an electromagnetic clutch fan so I don't have a fan blowing cold air on the engine.

If I let the truck sit and idle for 10 minutes when ambient is freezing or less, the coolant temperature will usually approach 100 degrees F. With my truck plugged in engine coolant is between 60-75 degrees on cold mornings. Coolant temp is ambient when not plugged in and after less than 10 minutes of driving max 35 mph my temp will reach about 70 degrees.

When cruising 45-55 mph on the highway in teens and lower my coolant temp will drop below 100 degrees. When 4 wheeling off road in sticky situations coolant can exceed 200 even in this cold weather. I plan to block off my radiator so my engine will warm up quicker and just let my fan come on more often as needed. A properly functioning thermostat obviously would keep these temperature swings from being so drastic. Thus far I've found that as long as I monitor my gauge I can regulate coolant temperature with driving manners. I plan to stick with no thermostat for a while.

 

[TWaterman]

Thank you all for the great responses, temp warmed up a little, checked oil level and then started it up with little effort, took for a test drive and all seems well. TW