Are my pistons shot if I suspect gas in my oil?

Asked by Wanca Mar 04, 2015 at 02:17 PM about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 ST Quad Cab 4WD

Question type: General

Did an oil change on New Years Eve, kept oil level full. Attempted to start truck for work on Feb. 20th.Temp. was -6 F. Hasn't started since. Thought fuel lines were frozen. Tried to defrost. No pressure at Schrader valve on fuel rail. Checked dip stick, level way above full line and smells like gas. Don't want to cont. cranking motor. Has 217427 mi.

1 Answer
159,435

Bob answered 9 years ago

Sometimes fuel injected engines are easy to flood during severely cold weather. Not having fuel pressure at the rail during cranking may indicate frozen fuel line or filter (due to water), bad fuel pump or bad fuel pump relay. The best way to "unflood" one that has been flooded is to crank the engine with the throttle pedal to the floor. If you hold the pedal to the floor the injectors will not inject fuel. That will do nothing to fix the no fuel pressure issue. Also removing and changing the spark plugs will help a severely flooded engine. You need to get it running and then change the oil and filter.

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