hey guys. forgot to plug the truck in last night when I finished a 5 hour drive north. it dipped into the low 20's and now the truck isnt starting.

any cold weather start tricks I need to know about for the future? I plugged it in this morning to get it warmed back up, but if I ever get stuck in the middle of no where because my truck wont start I would like to know what to do.

thanks

 

That is not cold enough to be a major factor unless there is a lot of water in the fuel or in the fuel filter housing. You need to check the basics first - Fuel filter to start. Drain the housing and make sure it is not plugged or replace the filter. When it really does get cold, run an additive that is designed to address water in fuel and lower the gel point in the fuel.

That is where I would tell you to start.

 

I was reading about those additives, they call for use when temp drops below 40.....so what is "cold" to a diesel?

 

Where are you? I am in NE and the fuel stations are selling winterized fuel which is typically fine down to 0* between November 1 and April 1.

I have started my trucks below zero unplugged without any issues, other than a rough initial idle and a little white smoke. I do use an additive almost 100% of the time (Stanadyne Performance), but I use it for more reasons than just cold start issues.

Why do they call for use below 40*? Because they can sell twice as much as if you said below 20*.

 

hahaha...thats true. good point.

I live in des moines, but I am up in a small town in MN right now. but it really isnt that bad here, the coldest it got last night was 20.

I am gonna try the fuel filter change in a little bit and see if that helps.

 

I havent ever had a cold start problem while working in the north in fact I have had a 97 03 and an 07 up north in what I would consider cold sub zero and never plugged any of them in I think you may be fighting something else, I'm not sure what but I dont think the temp is your problem. As stated above as long as your fuel isnt gelling it should start. Just my .02

 

20 is not that cold. . .have been many nights where I did not plug it in at all never had issues.

Some might have opionions but you might get your self a can of starting spray. Use it carefully, but a quick shot of ether (sp?) will start almost anything. I can't recal ever needing it for any of my dodges but many a trucker keep a can around JIC.

 

Don't know about Des Moines but in Mason City we got our winterized fuel last week. I would think its water in the fuel or a fuel filter problem rather then the fuel gelling on you as I had non winter fuel do just fine when we had the temps drop to 20 a few weeks ago. If you want some good winter fuel stop by Mills Fleet Farm in Mason City as its winterized to -30 below. I'm not sure what’s sold at Mills Fleet Farm in MN, as they have to sell 2% Bio blend and Flint Hills Arctic Diesel is no longer available for use in biodiesel blends in the State of Minnesota.

Good Luck

 

i actually filled up at the BP station near wendys on I35 in mason city last night. so I am assuming I have the winterized fuel.

I just changed the fuel filter, tried it a couple times and nothing. I am leaning towards water in the line because of that huge temp drop yesterday. it was 70 when I left yesterday and 28 by the time I got to MN.

 

scratch that. third times a charm, she is up and running again.

thanks for all the help.

 

Are your grid heaters working? I read that the early predator programming caused some grid heater problems. How many miles are on your fuel filter? Are your batteries holding a charge? At 20F, your wait-to-start light should stay on for while before you attempt to start your truck. Regular diesel does not start clouding/gelling until below 10-15F. I run power service (white bottle) all winter. My truck has never been plugged-in (no cord) and will start on one grid heater cycle at 4F.

 

I filled up just west of Des Moines yesterday, and it is winterized.

I will throw this out there. I talked to Randy at Diesel Specialties last year as ULSD was being introduced. He said that the ULSD fuel has more water from processing and will crystallize pretty easy below freezing. It is different than gelling, but with the same results. There are newer additives that are ULSD specific, so I would recommend using one of those. There are plenty of threads about additives, so you can decide what you like best. At least make sure you drain the water in the filter housing regularly.

If that is not it, you may want to start looking at other issues involving the lift pump and CP3 injector pump. The CP3's are prone to leaks when it gets cold. There will be thread after thread popping up in the next few months about this...again.

When you replaced the fuel filter, did you tap the starter and allow the lift pump to cycle 2-3 times before starting?

 

yeah, I "bumped" it a few times, after the third time it was good to go.