Cold Weather (-10c 17f) loss of prime

[7997redtail]

There are other threads similar to this one but not in cold weather. So here it is. This happens pretty well every time I go to the cabin.

We are at Sun Peaks resort in BC with an elevation around 4000' and the temperature has been around -10c / 17f for around five days.

When it’s cold like this I find that my truck will start no problem (plugged in or not) but will stop running after about 3 - 5 seconds. When I pump up the fuel filter pressure it will start again and continue to run or I may have to pump it up a second/third time. Never more than three times.

I have been afraid to run up the idle after starting (the first time) because the truck is so cold, so I don't know if doing so would keep it running.

I have done the O-ring rebuild (from a dmax vendor) thinking it might fix the problem but it hasn't. I didn't replace the two hoses that connect to it but after doing the rebuild they were properly tightened.

I also have a Racor secondary fuel filter head that I haven’t done anything to (except change filters).


I have a different bleed screw in that I can turn a valve to open and close it. It has a hose that goes to the wheel well and I bought it from one of the venders here.


The truck has around 160km /100miles and has not had injectors done. I think it has to be a leakage issue and this summer I’ll have to go over it carefully. I was just wondering if anyone else had a problem similar that only happens in the cold.

Thanks in advance
Jim

BTW, it's snowing like crazy and a little warmer today. Only -8

[k9duramax]

I would lightly pressurize the system and see if you can produce the leak.... The colder temps/elevations may be enough to cause issues sometimes, but not others...

[7997redtail]

I had thought that things get smaller when they are cold and that could be what is happening here.

I had also thought about wiping the joins with a mixture of soap and water. Unfortunately, the water will freeze upon contact. Hummmm Maybe antifreeze and soap.

By pressurizing do you mean by using the fuel filter pump? Is there another way?

Thanks

[k9duramax]

You can either modify a cheap gas cap with an air fitting and put 5 lbs or so of air to the system, or if you have a shop vac I've heard of people reversing it and putting a rag around the neck to seal it and produce pressure. This should be enough to do it for you to "produce" a leak...

[Kappa9012]

yeah sounds like you're sucking air. filter head maybe?

[letsgo]

2 negatives and I have posted this before if you pressurize the tank with air you just created the perfect bomb, and at 5psi you created an internal tank surface pressure of 720 pounds per square foot, get ready to blow, sorry to be so negative, use an inert gas if you must pressurize the fuel system.

[D.Camilleri]

Having a lift pump will solve 95% of lost of prime issues. Worse case scenario you might find a fuel drip somewhere.

[0621107]

I had the same issue, check for rusty connections under the truck. mine was leaking from the connection at the fuel cooler.

[7997redtail]

Did you find it by looking for a fuel leak?

I've never heard of a fuel cooler where is it located located? I'll look online.

[lynn1130]

The fuel cooler is located just in front of the fuel tank. It looks like a miniature radiator.