Archived Frozen or transfer pump? ('03 305/555)

[bkaiser]

Yesterday morning at 16F the truck started normally and after about a minute and half started running rough. Figuring it was gelling, I shut it off.



Fuel history: Had a 1/4 tank (untreated) from my usual place. On Friday bought $20 from a station that had been closed for awhile and reopened the beginning of the year. I added enough treatment (Howe's) for 12 gallons, figuring this fuel wasn't treated. Last night I added $10 worth with half a bottle of PS 911.



This morning (23F) I drained the filter housing and removed the filter. I didn't see any of the crystallization I've seen in the past when the truck has gelled. I reassembled the filter canister and went through the priming sequence. I heard the hum of the transfer pump on each of the two cycles. I opened the filter canister - nothing.



I am assuming the line is frozen due to condensation picked up from the fuel I bought Friday and mother nature will solve my problem tomorrow when it's supposed to hit almost 50 here.



I also know there have been transfer pump problems. Could I have a pump failure and have all the symptoms of a frozen line? Any suggestions on how to verify which situation I'm in? Fortunately, the truck is in my driveway.



Thanks in advance, Bill

 

[EKlem]

I am guessing that you are on your original pump so it would not be the newer intank unit. The pumps do not pump air very well. To get my truck(in sig) and my roomates truck(01) primed we have had to pressurize the fuel tank. I would just wait until tomorrow and see whether you can get fuel flowing. If you can't get the pump to work tomorrow, then look into that. The symptoms you describe are exactly what I have experienced when it gelled up. Was it plugged in before you started it? That usually allows it to start but then it can't pull fuel from the tank. Good luck.

 

[bkaiser]

It got above freezing today and the truck was plugged in all day - I have fuel flow!



This was by far the worst freeze up I have ever had, and it was at the highest temperature. Needless to say, I won't be buying fuel at the 'new' station for some time.



I'm not out of the woods yet - the truck started hard and threw a P0341 code (camshaft position sensor was 'irrational'). Since this sensor is only critical on start, if it fires up in the morning I'm probably O. K.



I do have the original transfer pump, and am hoping for a TSB/recall to put it in the tank where it belongs.



Thanks for the post, this board is a great resource!

 

[EKlem]

Glad to hear that the truck started and that the fuel pump seems to be okay. My roomate has an 01 and he just got the in tank pump put in under warranty. The old one was starting to fail(he has a gauge) and they accepted what the gauge said and changed it.

 

[Joe Mc]

EKlem-Whats the gage on the 01 read with the in-tank pump?

 

[EKlem]

EKlem-Whats the gage on the 01 read with the in-tank pump?

It reads 8psi. This is lower than ideal but it is real steady there at almost all throttle settings. We can't get the gauge to read below 6psi and that is WOT. There is some variation in gauges so that may be it too.