My Truck In Limp Mode?

[Focker]

I have a very short drive to work approximately 5 miles round trip. I really don't like driving it to work, but there's been so much snow in my area I've needed the four-wheel drive. Last night on the way home from work around 11:30 p.m., my truck started shaking violently and died. I was able to restart it but I couldn't get over 20 mph and out of first gear. After about a half mile, I was able to get into second and slowly increase my speed. By the time I got to my street I was able to go 35 miles mph in 3rd gear.


What is happening?

 

[jhenderson]

Not much to go on. Mil? Outside temp? Was the truck smoking? Boost pressure? My first guess would be gelled fuel but you haven’t filled out your signature so we don’t know where you are for temps.

 

[Focker]

Not much to go on. Mil? Outside temp? Was the truck smoking? Boost pressure? My first guess would be gelled fuel but you haven’t filled out your signature so we don’t know where you are for temps.

Thanks for the reply.

109K
21* last night.
No smoke.
I'm not sure the boost pressure.

My sig was filled out the day I joined.

 

[jhenderson]

Thanks for the reply.

109K
21* last night.
No smoke.
I'm not sure the boost pressure.

My sig was filled out the day I joined.

I obviously meant your personal signature. Your truck doesn’t know where it lives. Now what about fuel treatment? Any anti gel ? When did you last change fuel filters? Does your truck have the hd filter kit installed ?

 

[Focker]

I obviously meant your personal signature. Your truck doesn’t know where it lives.

Sorry, not trying to be difficult. What am I missing here?

 

[Focker]

No fuel treatment or anti gel apart from what the fueling station offers. Pure stock filters and emissions.

I'll add that I was at work for 10hrs and it sat all day. It's been operating fine prior to last night. Also there was no error code/engine light.

More of my short history with the truck. Thanks for your patience.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/new-to-diesels-what-to-know.265657

 

[Ozymandias]

I vote for gelled fuel.
Maybe your fuel heater had a hard job to keep it running.

An for Information, Limp Mode is always together with a MIL/CEL Light.

 

[jhenderson]

I agree. Gelled fuel leaves no mil and a true limp mode comes with a trouble code. You still haven’t told us your location . Was the temp abnormally low? Is it B20 fuel, or any bio mix? Are you sure the fuel was treated at the source? Change your fuel filter. Put a double dose of power service or it’s equivalent in your tank and 1/2 fill your filter with the same. The only fuel heater is in the filter canister. Could easily be gelled between the tank and engine compartment.

 

[wyosteve]

I've never had fuel gel until it got below zero.

 

[Focker]

You still haven’t told us your location . Was the temp abnormally low

It's in my profile. I'm in Tri Cities WA, Kennewick specifically. Yes, we're having an abnormal cold spell.

The truck is new for me, but a local one owner since new.

 

[Focker]

I've never had fuel gel until it got below zero.

How long is your commute?

 

[jhenderson]

I've never had fuel gel until it got below zero.

And your fuel was climatized to your location. I’ve seen gelled fuel in my off road filter sight glass at 20 f. Cold came early.

 

[jhenderson]

It's in my profile. I'm in Tri Cities WA, Kennewick specifically. Yes, we're having an abnormal cold spell.

The truck is new for me, but a local one owner since new.

Sorry, I confuse this site with another that automatically shows personal info. What about your fuel? Bio? Have you done what I suggested?

 

[Jim W]

I read this yesterday and a lot of very experience TDR people have suggest an solution to you. So, I reread this and I am going to offer you my limited experience in using my diesel truck and my wife's diesel engine car.

I live in northern IL so, this is to set the stage for you. We have very wild temperature swings sometimes in the winter months and early spring. With this in mind I have always done the following to our diesel vehicles. We do fill up with winter blended fuel for our area all of the time but I also add between 3 and 4oz of Diesel Power Service Supplement to the fill-up. Just to be on the safe side.

Now from Nov. 1 till at least March 1 or later depending on day time temps, I do the following for my truck. My truck is kept in a non-heated garage overnight that is attached to the house. The truck is plugged in overnight on a timer to warm the engine coolant up by the block heater. There is also a winter front on my truck that I will adjust the winter flaps according to day time high temps forecasted. The truck Exhaust brake is turned on right away as I back out of the garage. The truck is allowed to idle for a couple of min's to continue the warm-up process. This is all done for the following reason to retain the engine heat in the engine bay. This helps with everything on the truck.

Some of this might help you for the next winter season. But I would start out by using a diesel fuel supplement for anti-gelling at least. And then decide on the rest if you need this or not.
Just my humble advice to you!

 

[Focker]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I haven't had time to go through the truck yet and look at filters Etc. I've been driving my small commuter car the last couple days. I'm off this weekend and have everything set aside to go through the truck.

At home I plug it in (outside in the driveway) and I use the exhaust brake button once I start moving.

Where I work, there is a parking stall that has an outlet nearby. I've plugged it in before when working overnight shifts, but moving forward I'll probably park there all the time in these weather conditions.

 

[Focker]

Just pulled out the fuel filter.

#ad

 

[Focker]

Installed a new filter.
Filled the tank.
Added Power Service:
Diesel 911
Diesel Supplement winterizer/antigel
Diesel Kleen

Took it on a 20-mile shakedown run. In town on the freeway and back home. So far so good.

 

[jhenderson]

Good. Hope that’s the end of your problems. Just my opinion but unless I was stuck on the side of the road with gelled fuel in my tank I’d stay clear of the diesel911. It contains alcohol and isn’t good for the long term health of the fuel system.

 

[Focker]

Good. Hope that’s the end of your problems.

X2

I'm hoping it was just a dirty filter/frozen filter?

 

[Focker]

Update...

My truck is performing very well. Towed my fifth wheel for the first time last week and I was completely amazed at the difference from a gas engine to this Cummins. I can't describe how happy I am. I seriously didn't even notice my trailer behind me. My wife asked me why I was going so fast (68pmh) I replied, because I can.