GL320 no start at -10F. Cranks but loud whine from back (?fuel pump)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
2008 GL320CDI
GL320 no start at -10F. Cranks but loud whine from back (?fuel pump)
2008 GL320 CDI was parked outside last night in Denver. When I tried to start this AM it was -10F. There was a loud whine from the back of car which I think was the fuel pump and the engine just cranked with no fire.
Could this be fuel gelling with cold weather?
Any additive I should use?
Or is it more likely a failed fuel pump?
If so, is this an easy DIY or should I just get it towed?
Thanks
Ashok
Could this be fuel gelling with cold weather?
Any additive I should use?
Or is it more likely a failed fuel pump?
If so, is this an easy DIY or should I just get it towed?
Thanks
Ashok
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 32
2008 GL320 CDI was parked outside last night in Denver. When I tried to start this AM it was -10F. There was a loud whine from the back of car which I think was the fuel pump and the engine just cranked with no fire.
Could this be fuel gelling with cold weather?
Any additive I should use?
Or is it more likely a failed fuel pump?
If so, is this an easy DIY or should I just get it towed?
Thanks
Ashok
Could this be fuel gelling with cold weather?
Any additive I should use?
Or is it more likely a failed fuel pump?
If so, is this an easy DIY or should I just get it towed?
Thanks
Ashok
I also live in Denver. Looks like it's going to warm up tomorrow. The GL should start right up. This weather sucks!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
2008 GL320CDI
OThanks everyone. 15f currently and still with loud whine from fuel pump and won't start. Hope I didn't burn out the fuel pump but only cranked four total times for a short period each.
What conditions are required for the fuel to ungel?
What conditions are required for the fuel to ungel?
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
2008 GL320CDI
I filled in Aurora, CO at the station near Target at 225/Alameda. It is a no name station.
I will religiously stick to Shell diesel from here on out.
Agree that this is most likely the result of a bad tank / non winterized fuel.
We have started the beast in temperatures nearly this cold a couple times without trouble. But it is garaged 99% of the time so hard to say.
I will religiously stick to Shell diesel from here on out.
Agree that this is most likely the result of a bad tank / non winterized fuel.
We have started the beast in temperatures nearly this cold a couple times without trouble. But it is garaged 99% of the time so hard to say.
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
'98 E320 and '08 GL320
I recently had the same problem with fuel bought in Wichita Falls, TX, and temps around 0 Deg F. Gelled fuel, whining fuel pump. I got it to a garage, warmed it for a few hours, and it started right up. There are various additives you can put in your tank that claim to fortify it to -40 deg F. I used "Heet" for the rest of my recent trip to Colorado (about the time you were having troubles), and the GL started well every time. As I was researching my problem, I saw that unblended Diesel will gel at 17 deg F. Also heard that biodiesel will exaggerate the problem. I would expect I had both unblended fuel, and possibly some biodiesel in the mix as well, since I suddenly became aware that many of the stations in the north of TX have as much as 20% biodiesel int he mix.
