Truck Had a Rough Weekend

[ReggieRam]

Took Wifey up to Durango, CO over the weekend to do a little snowboarding, and had a bit of bad luck. On the way up, between Farmington and Durango, we were cruising along in the dark, when three deer shot out in front of us. There was a small gap between number two and three, so I shot for it while still breaking hard. I almost made it, but the rack on #3, managed to take out my driver's side parking light. That's already replaced, and man, was it expensive! It's head spun around and hit the hood, leaving a small (luckily) dent in it, but with an almost squared off angle in the bottom. I didn't notice until today since the truck was dirty at that point, but it looks like when he spun around, his butt hit the door just behind the hinge. It looks like it cracked the paint and left no dent.



I was wondering aboiut fixes that won't leave me broke for the hood. Like I said, it almost looks like there's a crease in there, but I'm hoping not to have to replace it, and I hate Bondo! But if those are my options, so be it.



Also, it was pretty freaking cold up there, and after sitting for two days (no plug-in available), it wouldn't start. I fueled at Flying-J, and added Stanadyne, but it still seemed like the fuel jelled on me. Any ideas there? Luckily, the guy who worked where we stayed was an old diesel guy, and he brought out two very long extension cords, one to plug me in from his office, and another he used to hang a warm light under the hood for a couple of hours to help out.



Kind of a bummer between the deer and the fact that the truck didn't want to run for me, but at least the boarding was outstanding.

 

[RJOL]

ReggieRam,



I could try to make you feel better by saying that maybe you got off lucky after taking on 3 deer. Could have been a lot worse, but I can feel you pain over any damage to the truck... .

 

[VicR]

Cold?

So how cold was it? My truck is going to sit for several days week after next in West Yellowstone while we snowmobile through the park. Just wonder if I am going to have trouble.



I am going to swing by Cummins tomorrow and see about any additives.



-Vic

 

[illflem]

Could have been worse. I don't think your fuel gelled with Stanadyne, sometimes it just gets too darn cold for the engine to fire. Block heater may have been faster than a light bulb though.

 

[rrausch]

Just curious, but what happened to the deer that butted heads with your Ram? Did he shake it off and run away, or did you throw him in the bed for some venison sausage?

 

[Snow man]

hum,musta been cold,both my ram's ahve fired at down to -10 belowwi th 15w40 rotella. Sounds like you got away cheap with 3 deer. When it wouldnt start,was it cranking fast enough,or it wouldnt turn over.

 

[ReggieRam]

No venison

Alas, there is no venison sausage in my fridge. The last time I saw Bambi, he was heading for the woods running like a drunk with cuckoo birds circling his head. I was kind of hoping to have a stuffed buck head over my fireplace with a Dodge Ram insignia on his forehead and a fridge full of meat, but he got away. That was a much better outcome for the wife, though.



As for the truck, it wasn't cranking very fast at all, but after about an hour with the block heater plugged in and the lightbulb under the hood, it cranked up and ran. It wasn't all right though as it was putting out a ton of black, then white smoke until I had it warmed up really well. That's what made me wonder if I hadn't gelled up my fuel. It only got down to about 0 at night there, which I thought was a bit odd. Next time I go back there, I'll definitely bring a longer cord to keep it plugged in, and maybe start it up every morning and let it warm up a bit just to be safe.



Live and learn.