Does HEET work?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
Does HEET work?
I trust the wisdom on this forum 
My Jeep ran just fine until we got subzero weather and it wouldn't start. Cranked just fine, spark is good, I assume it has air so that leaves fuel and possible gas line freeze. This happened once last year and when it warmed to ~ 32* it started just fine. This year same thing, it did start once the temp got to 32* or so. I put HEET in it and will see what happens but I really wonder if it works since the gas is full of ethanol as it is. Input is appreciated.
My Jeep ran just fine until we got subzero weather and it wouldn't start. Cranked just fine, spark is good, I assume it has air so that leaves fuel and possible gas line freeze. This happened once last year and when it warmed to ~ 32* it started just fine. This year same thing, it did start once the temp got to 32* or so. I put HEET in it and will see what happens but I really wonder if it works since the gas is full of ethanol as it is. Input is appreciated.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
The problem arose at minus 15 and corrected at 32 or so. Only thing I could think of was gasoline freeze. I am not real savvy on Efi set ups to know what issues might arise.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I'll add my two cents. Yes I use gasline antifreeze in winter at particularly cold times. Heet is but one brand name. I avoid the el-cheapo versions as they contain methanol (wood alcohol) that can chew up fuel injection (FI) rubber components. I use the more expensive brands that are designed for FI systems. Check the label. It will burn off excess water that may accumulate in gas station underground tanks as they transition from warmer weather to the cold of winter. And beyond the capability of a 10% ethanol fuel to accommodate. This may occur in your daily driver tank as well. So for $2-3 I drop a small bottle in about every third fill-up. No harm done. I just bought a six-pack (not beer) that will do me this winter.
This is a preventative measure and cheap insurance. If your lines are iced up you need a heated garage thaw to let that additive work. When I worked at GM I saw this so many times. You have to thaw out a frozen car.
This is a preventative measure and cheap insurance. If your lines are iced up you need a heated garage thaw to let that additive work. When I worked at GM I saw this so many times. You have to thaw out a frozen car.
Last edited by Paul L; Nov 16, 2014 at 03:45 PM.
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Race Director
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Most 'standard' gas line antifreeze products are 99% methanol. The ones aimed at EFI cars are, according to their MCDS sheets, 99% ethanol, with one exception which is 99% ISO-propyl (rubbing) alcohol. The other 1% in each case is a bittering agent so people won't drink them.
If the ethanol in your tank is from E10 fuel is not enough to absorb the water, an additional 6oz bottle won't help.
Look elsewhere. EFI cars are not immune from cold start problems.
If the ethanol in your tank is from E10 fuel is not enough to absorb the water, an additional 6oz bottle won't help.
Look elsewhere. EFI cars are not immune from cold start problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Most 'standard' gas line antifreeze products are 99% methanol. The ones aimed at EFI cars are, according to their MCDS sheets, 99% ethanol, with one exception which is 99% ISO-propyl (rubbing) alcohol. The other 1% in each case is a bittering agent so people won't drink them.
If the ethanol in your tank is from E10 fuel is not enough to absorb the water, an additional 6oz bottle won't help.
Look elsewhere. EFI cars are not immune from cold start problems.
If the ethanol in your tank is from E10 fuel is not enough to absorb the water, an additional 6oz bottle won't help.
Look elsewhere. EFI cars are not immune from cold start problems.
BTW, Mike, I have looked for and finally found the "oil pan" heater connection on my 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. It's a way back on the firewall. I didn't need it last year. And perhaps not this. Very strange device. It does not work/activate above -20*C (~0*F) according to the manual. Makes you wonder what GM is thinking? I used to set the "block heater" at about 10*F with a timer. I am really getting old!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: hudson valley ny
Don't know what year you have but it could be coolant temperature sensor(cts) or a weak electric fuel pump in the the tank. I've seen a couple gms that wouldn't start when temps got down ended up being fuel pump in both cases.hope this helps
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
Thanks for all the input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,431
Likes: 239
From: Powassan ON
I don't drive a gas powered car in the winter, as i I have two diesel DD's. The '78 Vette is stored for the winter.
What I DO have are a couple snowmobiles (2 stroke).
I run isopropyl alcohol in them steady. Ive been doing this for decades. I buy it in big bottles (Liters or pints) by the case. I haven't had any water related freezing or water ingestion issues. Ive been told, and arguably agree with (but no scientific data to back it up, other than experience) the isopropyl will mix with any water and the engine will burn it. Regular methyl hydrate will just keep the water from freezing.
ISO= mix and burn
Mythel= mix and keep from freezing.
It may or may not be what others agree with, but that's what I've done for years and will continue to do so.
dodosmike
edit: Yes the sled will backfire once inawhile when a bit of water hits the cylinder head, no big deal. It happens once or twice a winter. And FWIW the sleds are stored indoors and heated except when on a trip. Oh yeah, the gas tanks are bone dry when I store them in the spring.
What I DO have are a couple snowmobiles (2 stroke).
I run isopropyl alcohol in them steady. Ive been doing this for decades. I buy it in big bottles (Liters or pints) by the case. I haven't had any water related freezing or water ingestion issues. Ive been told, and arguably agree with (but no scientific data to back it up, other than experience) the isopropyl will mix with any water and the engine will burn it. Regular methyl hydrate will just keep the water from freezing.
ISO= mix and burn
Mythel= mix and keep from freezing.
It may or may not be what others agree with, but that's what I've done for years and will continue to do so.
dodosmike
edit: Yes the sled will backfire once inawhile when a bit of water hits the cylinder head, no big deal. It happens once or twice a winter. And FWIW the sleds are stored indoors and heated except when on a trip. Oh yeah, the gas tanks are bone dry when I store them in the spring.
Last edited by Dodosmike; Nov 17, 2014 at 02:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 11
From: No Prov RI
Dodosmike .....My snowmobile dealer said NOT to run drygas in the sleds anymore because of the ethanol in the gas . too much ethanol and you could have a lean burndown,all we put in them now is Startron to deal with the ethanol.
Hammadown
Hammadown
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 31
From: Rapid City South Dakota
I think he meant subzero Fahrenheit not Celcius. My son's car wouldn't start last week in below zero temps, it's a fuel injected Honda. I suspected ice in fuel line/filter.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
So far all is well, it's been cold but not sub zero, so the verdict is still out.