Here is a quick run down,,,, Last winter I had issues with my truck starting and running in the cold weather, (anything below 40 degrees). I got the codes for glow plugs, changed them all and replaced the GPR. I have also replaced the batteries and battery cables. The oil and filters were changed less than 1000 miles ago.

The trouble is this, it will start, run for maybe 5-45 seconds and die like it is out of fuel. It is 18 degrees here this morning, the block heater was not plugged in last night because I wanted to see if it would start and run this morning. It started, no white smoke, ran great for about 30 seconds and then it acted like it was running out of fuel. I can restart it, but it cranks a few seconds longer than normal, and then does the same thing, dies.

How crucial is the fuel heater in the filter bowl and how can I test it to see if it is working? Also, I have done the IAH delete mod, should I put this air heater back in?

 

AIH won't kick on in that short of time anyway. It sounds to me like you have some gelling going on. I would imagine it taking about that long to clog the filter with wax particles. Fuel bowl heater might help, but what are you using for anti-gel additive?

 

I have not used any additive until this morning, I ran over to NAPA and bought a bottle of Power Service diesel fuel supplement, (Diesel Kleen in a white bottle?). I could not find anything on the grey bottle of DK label that said it prevented gelling. I will be curious to see if it works tomorrow morning with a full tank with the additive in it. I hope so!!
I figured the "winter blend" fuel would not gel on me. The truck runs fine at operating temp, it is just a pain to get it running when it's cold. No issue in the warmer months.

 

White is the one you want. If you get gelled, then you want the red bottle, PowerService "Diesel 911".

 

Your AIH will not help you with starting problems. I live in a cold weather winter area and my AIH has been gone for years.

Like Joe suggested, it may be bad fuel/gelling type of an issue you are having. White bottle DK in my tank all winter without any issues. You might want to open your fuel filter on one of these cold mornings and take a look to see if the fuel is cloudy or starting to solidify up there. Just because it's "winter blend" doesn't always mean that it's blending right and cannot gel on you. We've seen it happen around here.

 

did it romp or idle smooth before it died? mine did the same thing the other day at the same temps, but mine would romp a few times then die. I regurly use DK in the white bottle. i have had a few threads on here with my problem. I'd like to know if you figure it out.

 

Romps are different. That has to do with the oil system. Going to syn oil seems to be the fix for that.

 

The idle was smooth, and then it sputtered and died. It didn't really "romp" though. It was like it just ran out of fuel.

 

Any tips on which synthetic oil to use?

 

Most of us here like Rotella Syn or Schaeffer 9000. Both are 5w-40 oils. Rotella is easier to get (Wal-Mart) than Schaeffer (you have to find a local dealer), but it's very good oil.

 

Thanks for the info. It gets cold enough here all winter that this will probably be a good oil change option for the "cold season".

 

Have you checked the screens in the tank?

 

I haven't done any tanks mods as of yet, have never had the tank out of the truck. Do the screens in the tank have issues in colder weather? Is there a thread that has step by step directions for the tank mods?
(I know, I know, use the search button!!)

 

I thought about that too Dan, but that doesn't explain why it only happens when cold. Unless the in-tank screens are getting clogged with wax.

 

It only happens when it is cold/cooler than about 40 degrees, but once the truck warms up a bit the problem is gone. I'm hoping the fuel additive is my answer.