Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Heater not working or is it just to @#$%^& cold??

[erobb]

Howdy folks, as some of you may or may not know we are experiencing a major cold snap here in the midwest. Woke up to -21 or close this morning. In anticpation of this event Tues I emptied most of a gallon jug of Power Service (silver jug) into my tank, about a gallon of #1 kerosene (all I had left) and for good measure a splash of Howe's Diesel Treatment, then I went and topped up the tank to mix everything and drove it around to make sure it got up through the fuel filter. When I got home I decided as a precaution to just go ahead and replace the fuel filter with a new one for good measure. I drove it yesterday and it was -12 with no problem. But this morning at -21 and being plugged in all night, it cranked and started my fuel pressure gauge was reading about 10p. s. i then slowly dropped to 0 and the engine coughed and died. an attempt to restart was unsuccessfull. I have questioned wheather my fuel filter heater is working or not. I took the plug apart last fall and it was not melted out or black like I have seen some pictures on here, But I sprayed it with Electrical cleaner anyway. I have driven in these temps in years past without problems. Can anybody give me any ideas or is it just too friggin' cold for diesel????



98. 5 Reg Cab, 4x4, 5 spd, 3. 55's, 283k, fuel pressure gauge, vulcan lift pump relocate kit, 4" turbo back exhaust, Van Aaken box.

 

[WTBurke]

I believe the two leads from the relocation pump kit plugs into the original DC power connection. First get a couple of allegator-clip leads from Radio Shack.

You need to test your DC polarity at the DC supply plug with an inexpensive VOM (volt ohm meter) once you see which pin is + and - take the two allegator leads and direct connect them to the battery for a continuous run-condition of the fuel pump. Feed the "pump leads" NOT the supply connector! It won't hurt anything! Let it run and circulate the fuel through the system. Listen to the pump... look at your fuel pressure gauge. With the "thinning" concoction you mixed it should flow with out effort. IF you see no fuel pressure after five minuets or so... your little Carter vane pump is dead. Remember, it's cold back there... . it's pumping 10 feet to reach your stock fuel filter/heater... . it can't pump jelly! If your pump is full of "jelly" get a light bulb (100 watt) and warm the little sucker.



You must provide "hard DC" to the pump in this test set up to see what is happening... . if you provide "reverse DC" it won't turn in the correct direction and hence; no fuel pressure. It's easy to do and is a very basic fool-proof way of examining your fuel delivery system.



Good luck

William

 

[erobb]

I'll concede that the problem could be my lift pump, although it isn't very old, I just replaced it this fall sometime I'd have to look at my book to tell exactly. Anyway, it does sound like it's struggling a little more than usual in the cold. I have developed my own theory. the fuel in the filter canister is all nice and warm since it sits right next to the warm engine block, the block heater being plugged in. Therefore it starts and runs for a few minutes and has good fuel pressure until it pumps enough cold fuel up from the tank, then the cold fuel coming in won't go through the filter and the pump pressure slowly goes to zero and then the engine dies. Let it sit for a couple of hours and the process starts all over again. anyway We are supossd to get some relief here, -12 tonight but up to +20 tomorrow day, only down to +10 or so tomorrow night up in the 30's by the weekend. I'll just drive my wife' '87 Mercedes diesel to work tomorrow, it has started and ran and got me to work everytime my truck took a dump on me this year. I think it's been 4 times this year because of the cold, same fuel, from the same vendor same additive same everything the Mercedes runs like a trooper, and it's 21 years old, go fiqure. Thanks for the reply Erobb

 

[monkeyman]

I don't even have a fuel heater and it has been that cold a couple of evenings. However I use 911 as soon as temp goes below 30 degrees.
Rick