Questions and Answers

Ford Freezing Up

Q. Vince, About 2 weeks ago during a snow storm my truck (Ford F-150) shut off while I was driving it. I couldn't get it started and towed it to a mechanic. The next day, he said it initially started right up, but after that initial start he couldn't get it going again. Eventually, he determined the fuel pump was getting no power due to a corroded wire. Once he fixed the wire, the problem seemed to disappear.

Last night we had another snow storm. I got home fine, but the truck wouldn't start in the morning. I tried all day while waiting for a tow, and finally it started in the afternoon when everything was melting. I don't think the temp got below freezing so I can't imagine the fuel freezing. It's just funny how I had problems both times it snowed and both times I drove the truck in it.

Now that the truck starts I really have no way of determining what the problem is until it happens again. I'm going to try gas line antifreeze. Do you have suggestions. Perhaps something is getting caked with snow and freezing from driving through the weather??

Thanks,
Bob

A. It does indeed sound like the fuel lines are freezing up. It doesn't really have to go below freezing for the lines to freeze. a small amount of water will freeze when it's surrounded by cold gasoline.

The dry gas will help keep the water from freezing and clear the water from the tank. If there is a methanol blended fuel available, you can use that for a while. Not only will it solve your problem, but it will clean the fuel system as well. You'll need to change the fuel filter fairly often at first as the garbage gets cleaned out, but it will be okay after a while.

However, this problem could be a symptom of another problem. You may have excess water in the gas tank. If that's the case, you may want to consider dropping the tank, emptying it and rinsing it with gas and reinstall it.