2017 Power Stroke Won't Start
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New User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 7
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From: Tulsa OK
2017 Power Stroke Won't Start
It's been extremely cold and snowy here in Tulsa the past 10 days. It has gotten progressively colder. Yesterday was the worst, it was 6 degrees F at the warmest and was as low as -8 overnight. My F250 apparently doesn't like this as it refuses to start. No information on the display. I turned the key to start after the coil symbol disappeared and it initially started but the starter continued to be engaged so I turned the key off. After that it will crank but never fires. I decided to try hooking up the battery charger for a couple hours. Then tried again - it was up to 6 degrees by then.
I don't have a block heater. I read some threads on the internet suggesting there was a "start run" relay that might be bad? Also read about a "cold start" relay being likely. Any help trouble shooting or fixing it is greatly appreciated. The truck has about 45,000 miles and is not in warranty. Seems to be cranking over just fine, maybe glow plugs?
I don't have a block heater. I read some threads on the internet suggesting there was a "start run" relay that might be bad? Also read about a "cold start" relay being likely. Any help trouble shooting or fixing it is greatly appreciated. The truck has about 45,000 miles and is not in warranty. Seems to be cranking over just fine, maybe glow plugs?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
If it is a 6.7, you have gelled fuel. I treated my fuel and i still had some gelling. Did you treat your fuel? You need some anti-gel in your tank. If you can find some Power Service 9-1-1, you might get it running, if you remove your bottom filter and clean it. The only surefire remedy is heat. If you can get it in a garage and point a heater toward the filter and tank area, after a few hours it might crank. You might have to wait till the whole truck warms up. If outside and you can make some shields with boxes, tarps, etc. and point the heater at it, that may do it. Another option is to have it towed to someplace that is warm enough for it to sit and thaw out.
I'm 30 ne of you. I don't know if i would pay someone to fix the system, unless you really need the truck, since we are going to warm up on the weekend. Get it somewhere and warm it up.
I'm 30 ne of you. I don't know if i would pay someone to fix the system, unless you really need the truck, since we are going to warm up on the weekend. Get it somewhere and warm it up.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 7
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From: Tulsa OK
I didn't do anything to the fuel. I had a 2006 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins diesel and never had any problems starting it in similar weather. Put 300K miles on that truck - never any major issues. Traded it in on this Ford about 2 years ago.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,305
Likes: 2,198
gel'ed fuel forms a paste that looks like Vaseline.
this is a serious condition as a bad case of gel'ed fuel could dry start your fuel pump resulting in pump failure which could contaminate the entire fuel system with metal particles from the high pressure fuel pump.
gel'ed fuel is a wax formation in diesel fuel . the wax particles bond and it forms the paste.
anti gel additives are preventive measures only and work by preventing the particles from being attracted to each other and bonding.
there are a few rescue 911 products that will break down the gel , but this should also be accompanied by anti gel additives to prevent more gel'ing.
if you are certain you have gel'ing, its a best practice to replace all the fuel filters .
heat will not reverse the gel once it forms in the fuel
a block heater will not prevent gel'ing since the gel'ing occurs in the fuel tank and the block heater does not heat that.
be very careful with dry starting the fuel system as serious damage could result.
this is a serious condition as a bad case of gel'ed fuel could dry start your fuel pump resulting in pump failure which could contaminate the entire fuel system with metal particles from the high pressure fuel pump.
gel'ed fuel is a wax formation in diesel fuel . the wax particles bond and it forms the paste.
anti gel additives are preventive measures only and work by preventing the particles from being attracted to each other and bonding.
there are a few rescue 911 products that will break down the gel , but this should also be accompanied by anti gel additives to prevent more gel'ing.
if you are certain you have gel'ing, its a best practice to replace all the fuel filters .
heat will not reverse the gel once it forms in the fuel
a block heater will not prevent gel'ing since the gel'ing occurs in the fuel tank and the block heater does not heat that.
be very careful with dry starting the fuel system as serious damage could result.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Take your batteries inside and fully charge them on the bench separately. Treat the fuel with antigel. If you can warm it in a garage even better. Have you drained the water separator, and check the fuel if it drains for water and gelling. Yes, start relays can have issues but it is more likely you have a weak battery, especially if they are the originals. One bad cell in either battery and it won’t start. That’s because the glow plugs take a lot of juice.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
My truck would crank, but I would get the low fuel pressure message. I put it in the shop for a few hours with the heater, and it runs fine now. I added another dose of anti-gel.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Tulsa OK
No way to get it in the garage unfortunately. It was far colder for much longer when I had the Dodge. For example it sat at Dulles airport in 2010 during the historic snowfall while I was in England for 10 days. The truck was covered in 24" of snow and 0 degrees when I got back. Started the truck no problem. I lived in Cincinnati from 2002 - 2009, many times the truck sat outside for weeks at the airport in snow and ice while I was away on business. Never once failed to start. Never any fuel additives.
I guess I will charge the batteries and wait for warmer weather, and will get some fuel additive from the part store in wifey's Explorer.
Sometimes being retired has its advantages.
I guess I will charge the batteries and wait for warmer weather, and will get some fuel additive from the part store in wifey's Explorer.
Sometimes being retired has its advantages.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,733
Likes: 12,875
From: Wyoming
It's not the truck's fault. It's the fuel. Up north, diesel fuel is blended in the winter to prevent gelling at low temps. Down south, there may not be any winter blend. So you have to be proactive and use an anti-gel additive. As stated above, the best solution is a heated garage. If there is any water in the fuel it will ice up.
I've been using an anti-gel additive in my truck since October.
Once you get it started, the system will return warm fuel to the tank to help prevent gelling while driving. Once you shut it off, all bets are off. The first filter, near the fuel tank, isn't insulated. It can freeze up, even while driving.
If it's not cranking, then that's a different problem.
I've been using an anti-gel additive in my truck since October.
Once you get it started, the system will return warm fuel to the tank to help prevent gelling while driving. Once you shut it off, all bets are off. The first filter, near the fuel tank, isn't insulated. It can freeze up, even while driving.
If it's not cranking, then that's a different problem.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
No way to get it in the garage unfortunately. It was far colder for much longer when I had the Dodge. For example it sat at Dulles airport in 2010 during the historic snowfall while I was in England for 10 days. The truck was covered in 24" of snow and 0 degrees when I got back. Started the truck no problem. I lived in Cincinnati from 2002 - 2009, many times the truck sat outside for weeks at the airport in snow and ice while I was away on business. Never once failed to start. Never any fuel additives.
I guess I will charge the batteries and wait for warmer weather, and will get some fuel additive from the part store in wifey's Explorer.
Sometimes being retired has its advantages.
I guess I will charge the batteries and wait for warmer weather, and will get some fuel additive from the part store in wifey's Explorer.
Sometimes being retired has its advantages.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 742
From: Wisconsin
Its true, up here in Wisconsin we had -18*F the other night and a high of -4*F during the day, my truck sat still for three days with out starting it, the next day, still cold I started it right up, we take for granted on our pre-treated fuel. By habit I never treat my fuel for gelling. Warm the truck up and drive it with a new fuel treatment.........should be fine.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 779
From: SoCal/Wyoming
Not sure I would put 911 in the newer diesel engine. I carried the stuff for years in the 02 in case of emergency but I have never needed it as I always treat my fuel when necessary. The main issue with 911 is that it is a fuel emulsifier. Most winterized fuel treatments demulsifies the fuel (causes water particles to bind together and settle or get trapped in filter) while the emulsifier suspends the water particles in fuel and sends them through the fuel system. 911 has been around for a long time and these newer diesel engines/fuel systems might not take kindly to it. Prevention is the best option. If you even question whether or not is might get cold enough to treat the fuel, do it anyways as it's not going to hurt anything. In the winter I always treat my fuel here in SoCal before heading back to Wyoming as I don't usually stop for fuel until Nephi in Utah. The second tank gets me into Cheyenne and while I may not need the fuel treated, I do it anyway just in case the weather decides to get ugly.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 12
From: Billings, MT
Its going to depend on where you got your fuel as well. This past weekend I had my first experience with gelling in 17 years of owning my Excursion after it spent 2 nights in -25 weather even though it was plugged in. I bought fuel from a smaller convenience store against my better judgment. Our fuel is supposed to be blended down to -30 but who knows what was in that stores tank? Anyways I was able to limp it home into my garage got the propane heater fired up and dumped some 911 in the tank. After 4 hours it thawed out fired right up, warmed it up and drove it around to slosh the tank to make sure things got mixed together real well.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 709
Likes: 188
I live in Bartlesville, about 45 minutes north of OP. I've got a 2021 F350 that I started without issues this morning when it was in the low teens. I had a full tank of #2 from QuikTrip and 4oz of Opti-Lube Summer treatment, and the block heater was also plugged in, although I don't think that helps gelling.
Just stating for reference - very similar trucks in identical climates, and a few variables.
Just stating for reference - very similar trucks in identical climates, and a few variables.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
I'm in Tulsa myself and have dealt with the cold also. I start my truck daily and use howes. I haven't plugged mine in either. Its a fear of mine especially with all the equipment and trucks i have but knock on wood no issues.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Tulsa OK
So I went to several auto part stores. No diesel fuel additive available, all of them told me it was back ordered weeks ago and they are sold out. None at the local Wal Mart or Costco or truck stops either. Yesterday it was warmer, mid 20's and the truck started right up! I am going to get it up to operating temperature at least daily.