[Ds883]

The other night we had a really cold night(negative 20). Now my 93 grand Cherokee laredo 5.2 4wd won't start, I've warmed and charged the battery, no go. I've got thinner oil in it(5w30). The antifreeze is not slushy or frozen.

When I try to crank it, she'll almost turn over here and there almost like not enough fuel. I was a low on fuel the night I parked it, less than a gallon...so I put another 4 gallons in thinking maybe I was off on my mileage or gauges. Anyways, I live in a small town in the mountains and it can be extremely pricey to take it to a local shop, so any suggestions or help would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[sanjuro77]

The other night we had a really cold night(negative 20). Now my 93 grand Cherokee laredo 5.2 4wd won't start, I've warmed and charged the battery, no go. I've got thinner oil in it(5w30). The antifreeze is not slushy or frozen.

When I try to crank it, she'll almost turn over here and there almost like not enough fuel. I was a low on fuel the night I parked it, less than a gallon...so I put another 4 gallons in thinking maybe I was off on my mileage or gauges. Anyways, I live in a small town in the mountains and it can be extremely pricey to take it to a local shop, so any suggestions or help would be great. Thanks in advance.

Kind of sounds like fuel line freeze up.

 

[Ds883]

Kind of sounds like fuel line freeze up.

What is the best way to deal with fuel line freeze without a garage? By the way it hasn't been above 20 degrees in a month. Maybe pile snow around the outside of jeep, then put a space heater underneath? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[sanjuro77]

What is the best way to deal with fuel line freeze without a garage? By the way it hasn't been above 20 degrees in a month. Maybe pile snow around the outside of jeep, then put a space heater underneath? Any advice would be helpful.

In your case, a space heater like you said or a hairdryer (or heat gun if you're really careful) could help. Once you get it started, keep the tank at least a quarter tank full, half tank is even better, and maybe throw a can of Dry Gas or similar product in your tank to help keep the water vapor down.
I suppose you might be able to cover the Jeep in a tarp and then get the space heater under there.


Just be careful not to set anything on fire!

Investing in a block heater might not be a bad idea if temps are like that often.

 

[Ds883]

I now know that if the fuel lines were frozen, they aren't anymore. I tried releasing pressure on the fuel rail in the engine compartment and was consistently getting pressure, but the fuel coming out had a watered down smell. So I'm now guessing that since the tank was low on fuel, condensation got into the lines and is still stuck in there. I intend on changing out the fuel filter tomorrow and want to know what the least painful way to flush the fuel line of the water?

 

[fnkychkn]

If you got spark, Its flooded. Remove and clean/dry spark plugs. Air out cylinders by cranking with plugs out and WOT.

 

[Ds883]

If you got spark, Its flooded. Remove and clean/dry spark plugs. Air out cylinders by cranking with plugs out and WOT.

What about the water in the lines?

 

[fnkychkn]

you said it hasn't gone above 20* in a month. if there was moisture, it would have frozen before now.

 

[sanjuro77]

you said it hasn't gone above 20* in a month. if there was moisture, it would have frozen before now.

I've personally had it happen a few times at subzero temperatures, but never at 20

 

[Ds883]

It was negative 20 for a couple of nights last week. Just now in the last few days has it gotten above freezing. When I parked it before the negative temperatures it was really low on gas...thus the reason I suspect condensation from being warm on the 45 minute drive home then a night of negative temperatures.

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

 

[fnkychkn]

easy enough to pull a few plugs to see if it's flooded.