Texas freeze

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
Oceanside, never been. I've been all along the gulf side and down into Key West. A friend of a friend extended his hospitality, great time. Drove a 1999 Tahoe, ex Fish and Wildlife truck back home.
Thanks for the history lesson, I'll look that book up. I enjoy those type of things, always visiting museums. As I understand, Fort Meyers area was big cattle country. I went to a museum that involved the works and lives of Henry Ford and Edison, I believe. If I recall that was in the Fort Meyers area.
Funny, odd, turn of events exterminating Seminole Indians. Many Native Americans were shipped by rail out of the west and dumped in The Glade area for the same reason. They couldn't catch a break wherever they went. Now they have casinos, so they're trending back upwards. For a group that went through genocide, many of the ones I've met can trace their lineage back a lot farther than I can mine.
Ft. Myers area is absolutely beautiful, especially outside in cattle country. That place is building up big time just like the rest of the place.
Pretty soon Floridas gonna be one big parking lot
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
I hope everyone in Texas has put their power service winter treatment fuel antifreeze in their tank as it's going to be cold and there will be problems without it more than likely.
how long or how cold does it have to get
For me: annoying horizontal snow at approx. 45 mph for two alh Beetles and one F-250 parked outside of Sturgis with their butts to the wind. AGAIN, the engine compartments are solidly packed with snow and I just don't understand the phenomenon. I thought when this happened last winter....it was just a one-in-a-million event.

For the life of me, I just can't understand how the snow blows up and packs into the entire space/spaces. How can the snow be so absolutely solid....like a frozen brick? When it warms up....mid-May.....I will park at 90 degree angle instead.

Packing snow this tight requires pressure. Can someone intelligently explain this?
Not sure honestly if he contributed or not. I also have had that worry, but also have a spare key on standby if it ever happened. Ha, man your posts are funny, but yes, definitely keep a little firepower handy, the world is nuts, would much rather not need it and have it than the other way around.
True that
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
I used 35° f as a guide. If it's going to get down that cold then power service goes in.
Thank you , I never really thought of it . Its been cold lately and I havent changed my fuel filter in one or two service periods. I will change the fuel filter and add fuel treatment for cold. Had trouble starting car today ,took three turns of the key before starting a couple times. Never did that before.
The weather report says in the thirtys By this Monday! Holy Shiite ! Thats butt freezing cold for the Coast but not unexpected. Thanks for the heads up !
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
For me: annoying horizontal snow at approx. 45 mph for two alh Beetles and one F-250 parked outside of Sturgis with their butts to the wind. AGAIN, the engine compartments are solidly packed with snow and I just don't understand the phenomenon. I thought when this happened last winter....it was just a one-in-a-million event.

For the life of me, I just can't understand how the snow blows up and packs into the entire space/spaces. How can the snow be so absolutely solid....like a frozen brick? When it warms up....mid-May.....I will park at 90 degree angle instead.

Packing snow this tight requires pressure. Can someone intelligently explain this?
Order some Iguanas from Florida. Stuff them in the engine compartment and any voids or crevices where snow may accumulate. When winter is over remove Iguanas and add salt for taste.
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI the winter water wonderland
TDI
More than I need, less than I want
Thank you , I never really thought of it . Its been cold lately and I havent changed my fuel filter in one or two service periods. I will change the fuel filter and add fuel treatment for cold. Had trouble starting car today ,took three turns of the key before starting a couple times. Never did that before.
The weather report says in the thirtys By this Monday! Holy Shiite ! Thats butt freezing cold for the Coast but not unexpected. Thanks for the heads up !
are you letting the glow plugs cycle?
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
are you letting the glow plugs cycle?
whats that mean Willis? I thought it had to be a certain temp before the glow plugs activated. I used to turn the key on for 20 seconds then turn the engine over I havent done that in this cold spell though
 
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jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI the winter water wonderland
TDI
More than I need, less than I want
whats that mean Willis?
When you turn that little gizmo called a key in the ignition while it’s cold out, a technological phenomenon occurs. Watch the dash for the glow plug. It will stay lit as the glow plugs cycle. Once it goes out, crank the engine over. If that dog doesn’t bark, try it again
 

Lightflyer1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
Thank you , I never really thought of it . Its been cold lately and I havent changed my fuel filter in one or two service periods. I will change the fuel filter and add fuel treatment for cold. Had trouble starting car today ,took three turns of the key before starting a couple times. Never did that before.
The weather report says in the thirtys By this Monday! Holy Shiite ! Thats butt freezing cold for the Coast but not unexpected. Thanks for the heads up !
I used to never think about it either (We are in Texas after all). But one year I didn't think about it and got caught. Fuel was frozen and car would not start. Had to get in the truck and drive it instead. It uses gas. 2011 F150 Coyote 5.0. Not fuel efficient but it gets the job done.
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
When you turn that little gizmo called a key in the ignition while it’s cold out, a technological phenomenon occurs. Watch the dash for the glow plug. It will stay lit as the glow plugs cycle. Once it goes out, crank the engine over. If that dog doesn’t bark, try it again
My car has never done that. .
 

ZippyNH

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Location
Southern NH
TDI
2015 JETTA TDI SE
With Southern fuel...you might want to double treat it for geling...
Northern fuel in a truck was always ok to the 20's if you were brave...
But guys driving north from the deep south...often with twin 150 gallon fuel tanks.... would gel up been in the 30's quick...
Just a bit heavier #2 since a huge quantity of crude isn't being used as heating fuel for houses...the slightly heavier fuel is usually used for that, even though it's technically the same spec
 

John Wesley Hardin

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Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
Some time ago 7-8 yrs ??? When I first bought the car of course Im checking everything out . OBD said bad glow plug. So I replaced them all I think . The harness was trash it was just falling apart in my hands. So I replaced it easily not by the book and removing a bunch of crap but I fed the wire with no problem. Once I did that I thought I was good. Nope glow plugs have never worked as far as I know. I dont get the glow plug signal in the instrument cluster when I turn the key on. Never have really researched it after that. Looks like I will be soon. Lol
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
Yall get ready. We are going to have a real freeze in Houston Monday-Wednesday. They are even talking about 1-3 inches of snow and ice.
Yeah I was gonna mention that. Starting in the Rio Grande Valley moving up through Corpus Christi then to Houston! Thats gonna suck.
The other problem is if you fart the power goes out. They havent built a power plant in Texas since 1979 I think and that was a Nuclear plant outside Bay City. So I am going to prepare my generator and get gas and propane prior to this event since Im a delicate wall flower and used to dry humping crab holes on the East coast of Florida where its usually 75 degrees this time of year
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI the winter water wonderland
TDI
More than I need, less than I want
Some time ago 7-8 yrs ??? When I first bought the car of course Im checking everything out . OBD said bad glow plug. So I replaced them all I think . The harness was trash it was just falling apart in my hands. So I replaced it easily not by the book and removing a bunch of crap but I fed the wire with no problem. Once I did that I thought I was good. Nope glow plugs have never worked as far as I know. I dont get the glow plug signal in the instrument cluster when I turn the key on. Never have really researched it after that. Looks like I will be soon. Lol
Put a lamp on the back of the cylinder head to heat the coolant manifold. Leave it on all night, works like a charm. Make sure it has an incandescent bulb so it gives off heat
 

John Wesley Hardin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
Yeah I was gonna mention that. Starting in the Rio Grande Valley moving up through Corpus Christi then to Houston! Thats gonna suck.
The other problem is if you fart the power goes out. They havent built a power plant in Texas since 1979 I think and that was a Nuclear plant outside Bay City. So I am going to prepare my generator and get gas and propane prior to this event since Im a delicate wall flower and used to dry humping crab holes on the East coast of Florida where its usually 75 degrees this time of year
Put a lamp on the back of the cylinder head to heat the coolant manifold. Leave it on all night, works like a charm. Make sure it has an incandescent bulb so it gives off heat
ya know we were just discussing that put a drop light down in the engine compartment . Great minds think alike !
 

Lightflyer1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
Well my fuel is treated so nothing to worry about there. But I'll be in the Caribbean for the next month and a half now that I just retired.
 

John Wesley Hardin

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Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
ya know we were just discussing that put a drop light down in the engine compartment . Great minds think alike !
Well my fuel is treated so nothing to worry about there. But I'll be in the Caribbean for the next month and a half now that I just retired.
Dont carry any ammo in your baggage . Search your bags for stray rounds before you pack or youll be cutting sugar cane on a chain gang for a few years unless you have a good lawyer. No joke
 

Lightflyer1

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
No problem. I checked the luggage and I never mix my shooters and ammo with luggage. They have their own special carry bags. Not to be used for vacations.
 

fatmobile

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Jul 16, 2019
Location
north iowa
TDI
an ALH M-TDI in a MK2, a 2000 Jetta, 2003 wagon
There is a way in VCDS to lengthen the time the glow plugs stay on.
I'm glad I did this because my glow plug light wasn't coming on very long.
Now it stays on for 15 seconds sometimes.

engine controller>login 12233> adaptation> group 12
change from 32768 to max of 32700
click test> save value> close
ignition off then back on
go back in and see if it changed in the seconds window.
 

John Wesley Hardin

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Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
Dont carry any ammo in your baggage . Search your bags for stray rounds before you pack or youll be cutting sugar cane on a chain gang for a few years unless you have a good lawyer. No joke
No problem. I checked the luggage and I never mix my shooters and ammo with luggage. They have their own special carry bags. Not to be used for vacations.
10/4 have fun
 

John Wesley Hardin

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Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
I hope everyone in Texas has put their power service winter treatment fuel antifreeze in their tank as it's going to be cold and there will be problems without it more than likely.
Okay you use the Power Service Diesel Fuel Treatment w/ cetane boost for winter ?
 

John Wesley Hardin

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Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Location
Rockport Texas
TDI
2003 VW Jetta 1.9 Diesel GLS , Five Speed Standard Shift
Project farm has a video about testing fuel additives:
(4) Are Diesel Fuel Additives a Scam? Let's Settle This! - YouTube

And might be too late but put something on your door seals to keep the doors from freezing shut.
Silicone works but if you ever have to paint it will make things difficult.
Wurth rubber care is a good thing to use.

And if the snow runs down the a-pillar it can turn to ice at the bottom of the door and you can't open your door without bending metal.
Yeah, thats the video I watched Project Farm great video. Im going with the Hot shot next
 

ezshift5

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Sep 2, 2003
Location
West Coast
TDI
2013 JSW TDI (Enroute BB).......2017 Jetta 1.4 turbo 5M ....................
Yeah plus, dont get drunk and pass out by a river bank in Florida. You'll get ate by a Gator , squeezed to death by a Python or et by an Iguana.
Did you hear about the the woman she was saved from a Gator because she had a concealed carry permit.
Her and her ex husband were walking along the river bank discussing their divorce when a Gator appeared! She pulled out her revolver just in time to shoot her ex husband in the knee cap ! She was able to escape cause her husband fell down and the Gator got him
THAT IS VERY FUNNY.
 
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