Morning everyone. Have a question for you guys in colder climates.
Woke up this morning, -12 here in nw chicago.

Truck starts fine, let it run in nuetral and head in to take a shower.

Get out and moving fine, starts showing temperature. when under load, in drive as speed climbs, truck just bogs out bad, tons of blue smoke.

Put into Nuetral, revs out fine, no misses , no excessive smoke.

Happens in different gears, sometimes comes in out of nowhere while already moving.

I know people drive there Dodges in colder weather in this, although this i s pretty extreem for here.

What in the trans could be cold related, almost limiting the engine and allowing it to overfuel possibly?

For a while this morning, i had to ride the shoulder of the expressway, would put down around 40 mph no problem, id try and speed up, get ito a lane and it would bog out again. Finally, after a while, I was able to maintain about 60-65 and get the rest of the way into the office.

Ideas?

 

After reading a few other posts about gelling, Could it be that my fuel is in the beginning stages of gelling up?

Would it make sense for this to only have effect when engine is under load?


thanks

 

Yes.

Gelling usually affects the fuel filter first, as it will get clogged with the waxy stuff.

If the filter is partiall clogged, it would flow ok during normal driving, but under a big load, it won't flow enough to supply the demand.

Change the filter and all should be well.
Add some anti gel to the tank, of course.


phox

 

For all you guys in cold climates here is one thing that will help warm up the truck and trans much faster. If you have a 4 x 4 put the transfer case in neutral and then select the gear of you choice on the trans. Truck and the transmission/fluid will warm up at the same time. I do it every morning in the winter.....

 

I added some anti gel last night, seemed better this morning. Although, yesterday afternoon, after sitting 10 hours at 0 degrees not plugged in, was probably the harshest start I can remeber. Took me literally 20 minutes of cycling the grid heater and firing before it would stay running, and man did it sound angry. Took another 10 minutes before it would hold an idle on its own.

Winters here in Chicago are never fun, but the last week has been down right horrid. Were getting pounded with snow now, so at least the temp has come up some.