Cold weather problems

[12vf250]

I have been fighting this problem for 3 years now. As long as its above 10*F my pump works just fine. Any colder then that and I have trouble. I can turn the ignition on and hear the pump running, the FP comes up to normal, and my truck starts fine. Within 30 seconds or so, the fuel pressure drops to zero, and the truck dies. The only "fix" I have found is to point my tornado heater at the fuel tank until its warm to the touch, and everything is fine. A couple of times I have left the truck running overnite to avoid cold start problems, only to go out in the morning and find it dead. I have tried every different filter available, cleaned the screens and the gerotor 100 times to no avail. Every time this happens I drain the WS and the fuel is crystal clear, its not waxing or gelling, the pump just wont pull it from the tank. Whats a guy to do?

Will a fuel sump help, so the pump doesnt have to "lift" the fuel from the tank? Im really stumped here. I need the fuel flow of the Airdog, but as a volunteer firefighter, I need my truck to start and run 24/7/365, no matter what the outside temp is. Any ideas?

[ninerqb8]

Have you tried winter additives with it? I know mine used to have the same problem and it just wont pump thick cold fuel through the filters. When it got too cold a few years ago I had to run the 911 fuel treatment all the time.

[12vf250]

Ya, I've tried about every additive thats available around here. Regular power service, 911, Howes, Nothing seems to make much difference. I even plumbed a mechanical LP in hoping it would help pull the fuel thru, but that didn't seem to work either.

[ninerqb8]

Can you plumb in a heater line the runs to a coil around the filters then if you have the engine plugged in or have it running it should keep the fuel warm enough to run without a problem.

[12vf250]

I have thought about this, and also about using a coil of stainless steel tubing in the tank with coolant running thru it. Or some kind of magnetic or glue on electric heater on the outside of the tank to keep the fuel warm. The coolant coil idea would need a recirculating pump type heater. In either case, how would I regulate the temp of the fuel? There are times where the tank may be clear full, other times where there may only be a couple gallons. I dont want to get the fuel too hot, it only needs to be 30-40* or so.

[DISTURBED]

How is the pump controlled? When it does this have you checked voltage at the pump to make sure its getting 12v? Could be getting 9 or 10 and it wont pull the cold fuel through from lack of power

[12vf250]

The pump is controlled with a 30amp relay thats energized anytime the ignition is on. I have checked the voltage before, and its always within .1vdc of battery voltage.

[Ktown6.0]

Seeing as it only happens in severe cold (native Floridian here), check fuel line connections. I had connections on my 1.6 Diesel Jetta that would let just enough air get sucked in when it got below 40*f. When it got below that, it would start fine, and 30 seconds later it would die. I tightened all connections further than what I had before, and have not had an issue since. Granted, I am not running any sort of lift pump. The injection pump does all of the work.

[DISTURBED]

Originally Posted by 12vf250

The pump is controlled with a 30amp relay thats energized anytime the ignition is on. I have checked the voltage before, and its always within .1vdc of battery voltage.

Did you back prob at the pump with it plugged in and runningtill it stopped?

[12vf250]

Originally Posted by DISTURBED

Did you back prob at the pump with it plugged in and runningtill it stopped?

I have not done this. Mainly because this problem is so random that I never know when its going to happen. Maybe I'll splice in a couple test leads permanently so the next time it acts up I can check it. I really don't think its an electrical issue, but I've been wrong before.

[12vf250]

Originally Posted by Ktown6.0

Seeing as it only happens in severe cold (native Floridian here), check fuel line connections. I had connections on my 1.6 Diesel Jetta that would let just enough air get sucked in when it got below 40*f. When it got below that, it would start fine, and 30 seconds later it would die. I tightened all connections further than what I had before, and have not had an issue since. Granted, I am not running any sort of lift pump. The injection pump does all of the work.

I have checked all my fittings and they're plenty tight. There are only two fittings on the suction side of the pump that could draw air anyway, but I'll double check them.

[DISTURBED]

Originally Posted by 12vf250

I have not done this. Mainly because this problem is so random that I never know when its going to happen. Maybe I'll splice in a couple test leads permanently so the next time it acts up I can check it. I really don't think its an electrical issue, but I've been wrong before.

It maybe a electrical supply issue or the pump maybe going bad and you need to check the amps

[95ram]

I had this problem with a few pumps 3-4 years ago. There are orings between the motor assembly and the filter assembly. The ones that were shipped out in the pumps did not hold up to cold weather. They would shrink due to the cold. If you call AD they can send you some new orings that cure the problem.

[12vf250]

Originally Posted by 95ram

I had this problem with a few pumps 3-4 years ago. There are orings between the motor assembly and the filter assembly. The ones that were shipped out in the pumps did not hold up to cold weather. They would shrink due to the cold. If you call AD they can send you some new orings that cure the problem.

Good to know. I'll check into that. Thanks!

[cetanefreek]

ever figure this out? was -3* here this morning and my fp-165 worked fine.

[12vf250]

Originally Posted by cetanefreek

ever figure this out? was -3* here this morning and my fp-165 worked fine.

So far this winter it's been working fine. We have had several -10*-15* nights and it hasnt acted up yet. I know it will eventually though.

[RockinRam96]

I had a problem this moring with my Raptor 150. It was about 18* this morning, I had the truck plugged in, started the truck (started just fine) and let it warm up for 5 to 10 minutes. I drove about 8 miles, stopped to get a coffee and while I was leaving the truck started studdering. I immediately looked at my fuel pressure gauge and the pressure was dropping. I put the truck in reverse and as soon as a load was applied it quit, with no fuel pressure.

I tried cycling the pump and I could not even hear the pump run the first time. Tired a second tmie and this time the pump ran, and built pressure slowly. Once the pump shuts off I loose all pressure immediately. I checked all connections, fuel and electrical and all fuses and there isn't one problem there.

Any help would be great. I don't think the truck is froze up but I will get it inside and thawing out tonight. This is very disappointing, this is the 2nd AirDog pump I have had fail. For the money these things cost, there should be no failures!