Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gelled fuel

[SAndreasen]

Anybody else been gelled up this winter ?

 

[watersupply189]

This mild winter it hasn't got cold enough here for anything to gel...

 

[AnOldBiker]

Anybody else been gelled up this winter ?

No problem here so far, where are you at ?

 

[gtwitch]

2 weeks ago here in Laramie and all over Wyoming, we had -30F and my 99 did gel! I had Power Service Conditioner in it as I always do starting at the start of Elk Hunting when I drain fuel filters(2). I probably did not have enough conditioner and tank was at 3/4l. Truck started fine, but watched as the fuel pressure went to zero and truck died. Started out by more conditioner and an afternoon temps of +16 f and got it running and drove it to town, filled tank and put another 4-6 oz of power service, went back(7 miles) and parked it and plugged it in and it did the same thing next day after -18 that night. Put it in shop and changed filters next day problem went away. I was told (but have not done) to put Power Service 911 (red bottle) as it has some agent in it to collect and send any moisture on thru, kind of like Heet for gas engines. I then started asking the fuel stations in the area what fuel that they were selling and the answers might surprise you as it did me! Most said they just get winter formula consisting of #2 and additive added when it goes on the truck, and some did not know what they were selling, two of the stations said they were specifying blended 50% #1 and #2 with conditioner additive added, so I have started using that for the rest of this winter. Of course more $/gal who cares if the truck don't gel up. Lesson learned again! Ask when winter really comes, What are we buying?? I had same issues about 8 years ago under nearly the same circumstances, thought I learned then.

gtwitch in wyoming

 

[AnOldBiker]

gtwitch ... I've been in your state in the middle of winter .. like being in a deep freeze at times. I have read where many people in the northern cold areas have started using heater pads in the dual filter set up to stop gelling. After all, even if you don't have moisture in your fuel, the fuel actually gels. These pads keep the filter warm and the fuel liquid and not as thick as jello. Ever consider them ?

Heres one to look at: https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/fuelfilterheater.php

 

[SAndreasen]

2 weeks ago here in Laramie and all over Wyoming, we had -30F and my 99 did gel! I had Power Service Conditioner in it as I always do starting at the start of Elk Hunting when I drain fuel filters(2). I probably did not have enough conditioner and tank was at 3/4l. Truck started fine, but watched as the fuel pressure went to zero and truck died. Started out by more conditioner and an afternoon temps of +16 f and got it running and drove it to town, filled tank and put another 4-6 oz of power service, went back(7 miles) and parked it and plugged it in and it did the same thing next day after -18 that night. Put it in shop and changed filters next day problem went away. I was told (but have not done) to put Power Service 911 (red bottle) as it has some agent in it to collect and send any moisture on thru, kind of like Heet for gas engines. I then started asking the fuel stations in the area what fuel that they were selling and the answers might surprise you as it did me! Most said they just get winter formula consisting of #2 and additive added when it goes on the truck, and some did not know what they were selling, two of the stations said they were specifying blended 50% #1 and #2 with conditioner additive added, so I have started using that for the rest of this winter. Of course more $/gal who cares if the truck don't gel up. Lesson learned again! Ask when winter really comes, What are we buying?? I had same issues about 8 years ago under nearly the same circumstances, thought I learned then.

gtwitch in wyoming

Had 15 below here and didn't have it plugged in started fine a few minutes fuel psi went to zero no treatment in the tank at much above idle let the truck run for about 2 hour fuel psi came up to 16 drove to the truck stop dumped a 100 gal treatment bottle power service in and Been keeping it plugged in haven't had trouble since

 

[SAndreasen]

Yes 911 does work to un gel also helps remove water dads tractor was gelled up dumped about half a bottle 911 in an hour later it was running again

 

[JR]

This is another short fall of ULSD and the requirements associated with it. Unlike European fuels there is no requirement for winterized additives based on climate, only recommendations.

Copied from ASTM D 975

"The ASTM D 975 standard does not specify the cold flow requirements of diesel fuel. Instead, it suggests that the cloud point be no more than 6°C higher than the 10th percentile minimum ambient temperature for the month the fuel will be used. The 10th percentile temperature corresponds to the minimum temperature that would be reached no more than 3 days out of 30 for the month (decile). The ASTM D 975 contains overview maps that show the expected tenth percentile temperature for every month for each state.

Using these guidelines suppliers offer "winter ready diesel" for sale to the Motorist - there are two ways to achieve this:

winter blend - the gas station has blended the No.2 diesel with No.1(kerosene) by some percentage.
winterized diesel - the No.2 diesel has been treated with additives by the diesel supplier.
As the treatment with additives (1:40000) is a cheaper way to enhance No.2 fuel in winter, most stations offer winterized diesel in cold weather conditions. In regions with colder weather, most gas stations offer No.1 fuel at the same pump allowing drivers to decide for themselves on a winter blend."

Having a bunch of drivers stranded on the side of road is bad for business so its in the suppliers best interest to get the formula right, but like everything the bottom dollar trumps all else. What I do is use a summer additive year round and only dose my tank with a good winter additive when the temps are forecasted to be well below average. My reasoning is the fuel has to be at a minimum climatized to withstand average to slightly below average temps or everybody would be having issues. It's the "well below average temps" that's likely to cause problems. We occasionally see -25 to -30F lows here throughout the winter (which is cold for here) and I've never had a problem using the method I described.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

I have been looking for a place that sells #1 since the grid heater in the '92 crapped out many years ago and I went with an intake that wouldn't allow it to be there at all.

I rarely drive it in winter, but I would like to see it start without any trouble at the same time.

 

[JR]

Giver her a little shot of liquid nitrous in a can, aka ether :-laf

That reminds me of an old Lorain RT275 we used to have around the yard for loading steel and docks. It had a 12 valve Cummins, and in place of a grid heater it had a provision for an ether cartridge that you screwed in. There was a button in the cab that would shoot a predetermined amount of juice into the intake. Sounded pretty rough the first few revolutions but she always fired up even on the cold days.

 

[klcammie]

gtwitch ... I've been in your state in the middle of winter .. like being in a deep freeze at times. I have read where many people in the northern cold areas have started using heater pads in the dual filter set up to stop gelling. After all, even if you don't have moisture in your fuel, the fuel actually gels. These pads keep the filter warm and the fuel liquid and not as thick as jello. Ever consider them ?

Heres one to look at: https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/fuelfilterheater.php

Thanks for the link. Been looking for the filter wrap for my remote pump/filter combo. Sanderson try FPPF I run in my truck was in Cheyenne for 4 month 3 yr. ago had no trouble even parked outside in early Feb. I out about 2 oz. in each fuel up to prevent any trouble, been doing this even with semi I drive at work.

 

[SAndreasen]

No problem here so far, where are you at ?

South east Idaho only been about 15 below