Help: -2 F overnight. Won’t start. Next steps?

[John in the Woods]

I’m in Upstate NY. It’s gets cold up here, overnight low last night was -2F. I’ve seen these temps before, but for the first time ever the truck won’t start. It sputtered a few times, then just cranks with nothing.

Dash said water in fuel. Not sure if there is, or if the fuel gelled up.

Truck is outside in my driveway. Daytime high today is 15F. Is there someway to thaw and/or drain the filter in these conditions, or do I need to pray for above freezing weather?

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[Free2roam]

Diesel?

 

[RoamingGladiator]

Are you using a block heater?

-15c (5f) it's highly recommended to use a block heater. When its -20c (-4f) or below it's essential you use a block heater. Even if the vehicle does start, you are damaging the engine. Diesel fuel starts to gel below -20c/-4f, you 100% need to be using a block heater when it's that cold.

Being in Upstate NY your fuel stations will be winter fuel, so it should be much harder to gel. It was -28c here in Ontario yesterday, had my truck plugged in to the block heater for 2 hours before and it started right up, took a crank or two more to get it but no issues on running.

I also recommend draining your fuel filter more often than recommended maintenance... especially if you live in an area where it gets below freezing.

 

[John in the Woods]

Are you using a block heater?

-15c (5f) it's highly recommended to use a block heater. When its -20c (-4f) or below it's essential you use a block heater. Even if the vehicle does start, you are damaging the engine. Diesel fuel starts to gel below -20c/-4f, you 100% need to be using a block heater when it's that cold.

Being in Upstate NY your fuel stations will be winter fuel, so it should be much harder to gel. It was -28c here in Ontario yesterday, had my truck plugged in to the block heater for 2 hours before and it started right up, took a crank or two more to get it but no issues on running.

I also recommend draining your fuel filter more often than recommended maintenance... especially if you live in an area where it gets below freezing.

Good advice, my friend. Thank you.

Last winter I was in Virginia, and the year before that Florida. The first two winters were in Upstate NY but the truck was always in a garage that rarely got below 0/32 degrees. I guess this is one of those lessons learned.

I'll add a block heater when I can. Until then, I'll start adding the winter version of EDT and being more mindful about warming it up at least once a day if I'm not rolling on the road.

Today, I scanned a few threads here and got things back on the road. I had to dig out some snow in the driveway, but I set up some cardboard under the truck and set a small camping space heater underneath the fuel filter. I poured in some regular EDT and after about an hour, I recharged the fuel system a few times and then it started up. I drove it for a few hours after that, filled the tnk, added the winter EDT and so far, so good. The temps are supposed to climb to 20-35F range by tomorrow, and I'm headed south to LI on Saturday, so hopefully that was my one brush with this. I'll definitely add that block heater, and start thinking seriously about clearing out the garage so I can get it out of the worst of the winter weather whenever needed.

Thanks for the help, and thanks to all for all the great info on here. Once more into the breach!

And Merry Christmas to all.

 

[DylanM]

@John in the Woods
You may want to check first to see if you already have a block heater. I recall reading that at least on the 2021 models they all came equipped with a block heater from the factory, regardless of whether that option was ordered or not. Ordering the block heater option got you the power cord.

 

[Free2roam]

I've never noticed a plug or anything that would indicate I've got a block heater. 21 Eco diesel here

 

[kevman65]

I've never noticed a plug or anything that would indicate I've got a block heater. 21 Eco diesel here

You can have the heater, but not have a plug.

Funny how they nickle/dime you to death.

 

[Free2roam]

You can have the heater, but not have a plug.

Funny how they nickle/dime you to death.

Where would I look to see if there was a heater?

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Where would I look to see if there was a heater?

Passenger side of the block, rear of the shock tower

 

[nanook12]

Also put some 911 in your fuel.
See what mopar list for your vin, you might just need a plug in cord. My 2023 has a brass female fitting installed in the block. The heater element clips into the brass fitting. You may already have the heater element threaded into your block. Just need the cord that plugs into the end of the heater…

 

[RoamingGladiator]

Indeed check the block heater.... you should have atleast the plug as a 2021, and if you have the cold weather package it's supposed to come with the block heater.

 

[Jaxmax]

John clean out the Garage for the winter at least, way better for your Jeep, glad y agot it sorted out

 

[Gmac03]

I’m in the same boat and same location.

I plugged in the block heater only to find that the GFI tripped (something else in my garage), so yesterday morning it wouldn’t start and I got the same message. Tossed a bottle of HEET in the tank, fixed the plug, waited a couple of hours and she fired right up.

My concern now is the Aux battery is scavenging the life of the main battery. No warning lights yet but I’ll likely swap the main battery and delete the aux as I don’t want to get stranded throughout winter.

As for adding the engine block heater, you likely already have one but no plug was installed. It’s basically an extension cord, I’ll see if I can locate where I bought it but it was about 20 dollars, easy install it’ll save you a hundred or so staying away from the Mopar cord.

 

[Gmac03]

Passenger side of the block, rear of the shock tower

That’s the thread, for the OP’r, you should already have the heater, just pick up the cord and plug it in.

 

[John in the Woods]

Dang it, that block heater is in there. Well that’s a nice little Christmas surprise.

I’ll grab a cord and get the rig set up.

And yeah, better get that garage cleaned out too.

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