Archived Truck in on the hook to the dealer

[KHogan]

It's been teens to single digits for days in Joisey and Friday AM on the way to work the truck quit running and won't start. It started OK and ran for about a minute, but then stalled and wouldn't fire again. I figured it was a gelled filter so I changed it. No matter what, the thing would crank but wouldn't start. the fuel pump was spinning and it fillled the separator cannister with fuel, but no start. DC roadside assistance took THREE (#) hours! to pick the thing up... . luckily it quit within sight of my house. They had to dispatch a 12-ton hook (not flatbed despite my ranting and raving) because nothing local on the DC network could haul the thing. The driver had to disconnect my rear driveshaft in order to move the thing without damaging my transmission. I wasted the entire day (had to use a personal day off at work) to get it to the dealer. They gave me a rental car just in time for the Blizzard of '05 (DC Platinum EXtended Warrantee). As there's about TWO feet of snow outside, and they gave me a Dodge Caravan (hey, DC only pays $30/day for a rental, LOL!), I'm stranded. I can't wait to see if they blame this on gelled fuel and, more importantly, what giant bill they're gonna try to stick me with to fix this thing! In addition, when will it be fixed?

 

[ak_fleming]

I figured it was a gelled filter so I changed it. No matter what, the thing would crank but wouldn't start.

After you changed the filter did you bleed the high pressure fuel lines?

 

[KHogan]

It was a blocked fuel line. Dealer said it was either ice or gel... try using a better quality fuel or an anti-gel (written right on the repair order). Oh, yeah, they also said that'll be $260 please (2-1/2hrs. labor and three cans of Mopar Anti-gel/lubricant)!!! The local Mobil supplies all my diesel fuel (supposed to be winterized #2) as well as all the truckers in the entire area as this is basically the only diesel fuel within a 10-15mi radius. They'll be getting a bill from my lawyer (I only buy from them, I filled-up three times during the past week, and I have receipts for every fill I've ever gotten there). Good luck to me, LOL!