I have a 2004 diesel dodge ram with a Cummings turbo diesel. Yesterday I was driving down the highway at about 75mph and all of a sudden, it coughed out a puff of black smoke, lost RPM, and died. I coasted to a exit ramp sat for a minute and tried to start it again it fired and died after a few seconds. It did this about six or seven times, then started, and ran fine. It is about 20 degrees here so I thought that maybe I was getting some gelling so I went to a truck stop and bought a bottle of antigel. I proceeded down the road and it happened again although it only took about three or four times to start. Does this sound like a fuel gel problem or is it something else? It has not happened again since but I am just a bit worried I may have caused damage to my injector pump and other componets.

Update today it was running ruff so i got on it a bit it the spit sputtered and died. Left me a foot. From what i have read it sounds like it may be the lift pump. Anyone know anything about this?

does your dodge have a water trap in the fuel filter? if there's any water in there at 20f this could freeze and stop the fuel flowing, by stopping, the heat of the engine might thaw it out just enough to let it run again. Most fuel filters have a water drain, try opening it to let any water out.

does your dodge have a water trap in the fuel filter? if there's any water in there at 20f this could freeze and stop the fuel flowing, by stopping, the heat of the engine might thaw it out just enough to let it run again. Most fuel filters have a water drain, try opening it to let any water out.


No there is now water in the filter bowl. it was also much warmer today when it died.(40f)

Is the filter due for replacing? It could be the lift pump and if it is, don't run it until its fixed. You can damage other parts if you do.

Definitely sounds like a fuel delivery problem.
It could be a fuel blockage or it could be air intrusion. It could also take a long time to find.

Is the filter due for replacing? It could be the lift pump and if it is, don't run it until its fixed. You can damage other parts if you do.


No, I had the filter changed about 6,000 miles ago. Anyway, I pulled the filter and bumped the starter to engage the lift pump and the filter bowl did not fill up so I am guessing it is the lift pump. I hope that it is still under warranty.

You may want to start a similar thread in the Dodge Truck section.