I own a 2001 2500 4 wheel drive duramax.It will start the coldest mornings,no problem.Then the engine dies , then you have to hand prime the fuel filter and start . Just happens when you first start the engine.The tec at my dealer said the fuel was jelling and i told him my farm tractors don't have that problem.Park the truck faceing down hill and it will start and run on a cold morning. Don't want to go through the third winter with this problem, any help thanks.

what temp are we talking about. i didn't think that diesel gelled untill below zero. i could be wrong. but if you live in a cold climate you should be getting blended diesel at the pump to prevent gelling. have you change the fuel filter? i would guess that maybe you have water in the filter.

alaskaduramax,i live in northeastern Oklahoma.The problem happens when it gets about 43 degrees and colder.Yes changed fuel filter and no water.After it dies after the first start you prime the filter and it will start all day long reguardless of how cold.It does this on the first start in the morning.

Sounds like you may have a bad check valve in the fuel line. It's firing off and running on the fuel in the rails and runs till it hits air in the line. You shouldn't have to reprime the system daily. Take it to the dealer!


Unless you live in the artic, we shouldn't be talking jelling till at least late Nov!


DougEdited by: mpdlt

On the Jelling topic, I ran my truck last winter during a spell where she dropped down to -45*C (that's -49*F for you for you American friends) and I never had a problem so long as she was plugged in.

mpdlt,thanks for the advice.I will get it in to dealer.