Engine Dies

[Ted W. Hazen]

Got in my truck this morning with temperature at 31 degrees and went through the normal startup proceedure. I had plugged the block heater in for about two hours. It surprised me that it didn't start right up. It turned over for more rpms than normal. I might add that the truck had sat for about a week without being driven. It ran smoothly once started and I proceeded down the road. Drove for about 1 mile to pick something up for snowblower. Shut off for about five minutes and it took a little longer to start but ran smoothly once started. Didn't go for more than fifty feet when the fire went out. Waited for a minute and it started up. I went through this for three or four times trying to get home. Finally made it to my garage where it gave up again. Left it sitting for 15 minutes and it started up so I pulled in to garage where it immediately died. I've replaced the fuel return hose in the past and there's no sign of any fuel leaking. When I drove it a week ago it ran and started normally. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[The patriot]

I'd do the fuel filter.

Eric

 

[**ICEMAN**]

water in fuel ?? thats where i would try first. after setting for that long, assuming you got some bad fuel, all the water was settled in the bottom of the tank and when you started it you sucked the bad stuff up first.

 

[Ted W. Hazen]

Thank you Patriot and Iceman for your quick response to my problem. I think you were both on the mark. I started it this morning and it started and drove normally. Must have been some moisture in the fuel system that worked it's way through. Thanks again.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Glad to hear it's running O. K. ... .

I was following this thread in case my '94 starts to exhibit the same characteristics.....



Matt

 

[Wirenut]

The '94 GMC has done this a few times. The local garage keeps replacing some "black box". I knew it couldn't be anything normal like a filter or water in fuel with that stinkin engine!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

The '94 6. 5L TD's aren't computer controlled are they??



I thought '92-'94 weren't.....



Then again, what do I know.....



If it were a newer 6. 5L TD, then it might be the lift pump that they're replacing... . been there, done that.



Matt

 

[Don Schmidt]

The pre "94" Dodges are not computer controlled but I don't know about the GMC...

 

[HoleshotHolset]

On '94-'98 12-valves the PCM (ECM) 'puter only controls the grid heater cycling, AC b. s. , OD on the auto transmission, cruise control, alternator rate of charge, gauge cluster... . and some other stuff that has little to do with you getting home if all else fails. The SRS has a separate module... . and if you have ABS, that's yet another module.



In '96 the auto transmission got even more electronic... . some say that's bad, some say that's good... ...



From '98. 5-present the whole lock-stock-and-barrel is a mess of 'puters... ... again, some say it's bad... some say it's good.



Just another $0. 02 (USD) worth... .

Matt