Truck won't start in cold weather

[Ranger22]

Right now, the weather is -10 degrees where I live, and I tried starting my ranger, and it won't start; it does try to turn over though. I have an oil pan heater I have plugged in everyday. I decided to get a new battery, a diehard gold with 850 crank amps. Once I put this new battery in, and tried to start my truck, it still won't start, but it wants to turn over. The oil and the coolant levels are fine. I tried having a jump twice with another vehicle. Nothing. A few people say its the fuel filter/fuel lines, or that its just so cold outside that my truck doesn't want to start. What can this be? Why can't I start my truck? Do I need a block heater? Thanks.

 

[88gt]

does the starter actually turn the motor over, or just make a bunch of racket?

 

[Ranger22]

Yeah it turns over fine just won't catch.

We put a bottle of Heet (yellow bottle) in there tonight and tried again but it hasn't seemed to help yet. We are going to let it sit then try again.

Could the lines be so froze up that we might be forced to let them thaw out? We're stuck with below freezing temps for at least another 5 straight days.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

unless you have water in your lines, they are not frozen yet.

check your fuel pressure at the rail.

 

[Ranger22]

How do I do that? I haven't worked on cars much so perhaps a picture might help? Thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you need a fuel pressure gauge. it screws onto a valve (looks just like the valve on your tires) on the fuel rail.

 

[shadetree]

Try a small amount of starting fluid in the intake manifold and see if it starts. This will tell you if it is a fuel problem or not.

At -10* temp, any water in the fuel lines will freeze. Does the pump start for a couple seconds when you turn on the ignition? Pull the gas cap, hold your ear to the fill tube, and have someone turn on the switch. Being that it is in the bottom of the tank, if it is sitting in water it will freeze and not turnshady

 

[Cheek]

or if you dont have a gauge just check to see that its getting pressure at all. find the valve on the fuel rail like whicked sludge said and Take a screw driver and push inside the valve but dont stick your face over it or anything and see if fuel squirts out. If it does releive all the pressure turn the key over a couple of times and try it again. You should get a pretty good spray if it has fuel pressure.