1995 Rodeo Very Cold Weather Start Issues...

[HeadlessHorseman]

Just wanted to share an experience I had this morning and ask two quick questions...

Parked my '95 Rodeo (3.2L V6, 4WD) last night and everything was fine. This morning, 5 degrees below zero (without the 15mph wind), the truck turned over but refused to fire and start up. Raised the hood and carefully placed a 1500watt ceramic heater on top of the radiator, blowing into the engine compartment (NO danger of starting a fire), lowered the hood and placed a blanket on top of the hood down the sides and in front over the grill to keep the warm air in the engine compartment... blanket was WELL away from the heater underneath and let it heat for two hours. Since the heater was a small unit (an 8" cube), the fan didn't blow very hard, but hard enough to warm the engine compartment to about 40 degrees.

Two hours later, I turned it over and, slowly, one-by-one, the cylinders fired and it started up. One thing though, one (or more) of my belts squealed like a pig for about 15 seconds... it was REALLY loud. Then the noise went away, the RPMs picked up and it sounded normal. I took it out on the road and it ran fine. Alternator charged normally at or around the 14-volt mark. Still does. After all of this, it seems to me that my problem may be fuel system related (filter, frozen fuel line maybe) and I plan to change the fuel filter to be on the safe side. Not sure why the belt(s?) squealed and then stopped (first time ever).

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced similar problems and, if so, whether or not they know for sure that this actually is a fuel system-related problem. Belt tension appears normal - any ideas about the noise?... I haven't checked the belt tension pulley/bearing, but it might be this, right?

[amigo-2k]

I would think you have a little frozen water problem. Dump some gas heat stuff into the gas tank.

the belt squeal was probably due to strinkage (you Rodeo doesn't like to be cold either).

[Tonupboy]

Yeah that cold can be harsh on any engine...has anyone installed an engine heater for really cold weather? Also, definitely warm up the car for at least a minute or two before driving off...

[carlosian]

Originally Posted by HeadlessHorseman

One thing though, one (or more) of my belts squealed like a pig for about 15 seconds... it was REALLY loud. Then the noise went away, the RPMs picked up and it sounded normal. I took it out on the road and it ran fine.

i have a 95 rodeo, too, v6 3.2l. i live in florida and the other day it got down in the low 40's. when i went to start the car, it took a while to start and after it did, the belts squealed for about 15 seconds. really loud like the way you describe it. everything went fine after that. i haven't checked the tension on the belts or anything along those lines. if you find out what it was, let me know.


i've noticed a knocking sound coming from my engine. i heard its the timing belt tensor. have you had this prob. yourself?