Archived -23 below zero...HELP!

[rkroeker]

23 below 2 days in a row:{, truck is gelling up. Got it running yesterday and added Power Service 911 as per directions, 32 ounces per 30 gallons. This morning same problem, starts but won't stay running but this morning a new problem, my power steering is frozen, can't turn the wheel at all. Here in Colorado I've heard the fuel is a blend with Bio and only tested to -10, it's a shame we pay 3. 39 per gallon for fuel that gells at 23 below, not getting my moneys worth... #@$%!... What are people in COLD country doing to cure P/S problems and what are they putting in there fuel, even my Power Service in the white bottle sitting outside was like jelly this morning????????



PS I'm on a solar system so plugging in all night ain't happening, I use my generator for about 2 hours, my only problem with it running is fuel...

would a different fuel filter help??? I've been told mine is 5 micron????



Filter and fuel pump are stock

 

[carisu]

What truck do you have?

 

[The patriot]

I've talked to old timers who got a cast iron pan/tray and fired it up with some coal and set it under the engine area. An old Hibachi will work.

If I were in an area that cold w/o electric, I'd be trying stuff like this.

Get some kerosene whenever you get her started up and add about 25% kero to your fuel tank. Let it circulate a while before shutting her down.

 

[Skydiver]

rkroeker, we need your year model. How many miles on the "stock" fuel filter.
My Uncles F-750 car hauler had the same problem years ago while on a run to Chicago. Once he got it cranked he placed a heavy tarp across the engine to capture heat. The ends of the tarp rested on the ground. Kind of wrapped up the front of the truck so to speak.
I did see an old (gas burner) car catch fire one cold morning from a neighbor using his charcoal grill to heat the engine compartment. I was on my home from working 3rd shift when I saw the owner trying to thaw the radiator. While eating breakfast I heard the sirens and guessed correctly where the fire dept was headed to.
Be careful not to burn up your starter from excessive cranking.

 

[rkroeker]

Sorry, 99 CTD as far as the fuel filter I plan to change it, 10K maybe on the filter

 

[Grizzly]

rkroeker, It's cold in New Mexico also. Here in Albuquerque it was 8* below this morning and 36* below in Angle Fire in Northern, NM. Somewhat unusual for this neck of the woods.



I won't even try to start my Dodge.

 

[RustyJC]

This is a primary reason why we had a 1996 V-10 3500 dually when we lived in central Ohio. I've started and operated the V-10 with no problems at -35 degrees F.



Rusty

 

[SSage]

911 is not going to keep you from gelling. I don't think 911 is anti gel, Howes has been the best for me. So, your using Power Service "white bottle" at 10 ounces or so in #2 Bio mix? The bottle says its safe with Bio. Below 20 degrees I've always ran an anti gel fuel treatment. Though at your temps a #1/#2 mix may be in order.



So, anti gel treatment or D1/D2 mix, plug in block heater, clean fuel filter, drain water seperator. -23 sounds like battery heaters would be good too.



Try Howes if you can, my Dad has had issues using Power Service at -15. I have not though, I think he was adding a double dose of white bottle. That may have been the problem, I don't know. I know that when he switched to the Howes brand he did not have any more issues like he did with Power Service. He took the double dosed white bottle treated fuel out side and it turned to jelly quickly at -15. The Howes treated fuel did not using the below 0 mix ratio with straight #2 fuel.

 

[rkroeker]

What about my power steering freezing up, couldn't even turn the wheel this morning

 

[RustyJC]

I'd wager you're not using synthetic power steering fluid, right? Synthetics help a lot in extremely cold weather.



Rusty

 

[Grizzly]

QUESTION ABOUT GELLING.



If I haven't started my truck since before the deep freeze and I don't start it until it warms up some and assuming that the diesel had gelled, will the gelling go away?



Maybe a dumb question, but I really don't know since It rarely get that cold in Albuquerque.



george

 

[GHarman]

Sounds like yer between a rock and a hard place. If you can get that generator started, Plug in that truck for a few hours(providing you have a block heater). Change the fuel filter. Sometimes they just dont make it as long as one would like. Additives are necessary. Use them! I never heard that our diesel fuel was blended with Bio-diesel. Bio-Diesel commands a HUGE price premium around Denver/Boulder. I do now that Winter Blend fuel is not commonly sold around here. If the temperatures keep dipping below zero, it will be necessary! Hope you get-er-started! GregH

 

[HEMI®Dart]

911 is not going to keep you from gelling. I don't think 911 is anti gel, Howes has been the best for me. So, your using Power Service "white bottle" at 10 ounces or so in #2 Bio mix? The bottle says its safe with Bio. Below 20 degrees I've always ran an anti gel fuel treatment. Though at your temps a #1/#2 mix may be in order.



So, anti gel treatment or D1/D2 mix, plug in block heater, clean fuel filter, drain water seperator. -23 sounds like battery heaters would be good too.



Try Howes if you can, my Dad has had issues using Power Service at -15. I have not though, I think he was adding a double dose of white bottle. That may have been the problem, I don't know. I know that when he switched to the Howes brand he did not have any more issues like he did with Power Service. He took the double dosed white bottle treated fuel out side and it turned to jelly quickly at -15. The Howes treated fuel did not using the below 0 mix ratio with straight #2 fuel.

Diesel 9•1•1® should "reliquefy gelled fuel in minutes"





Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economyPower Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boos

 

[mwilson]

QUESTION ABOUT GELLING.



If I haven't started my truck since before the deep freeze and I don't start it until it warms up some and assuming that the diesel had gelled, will the gelling go away?



Maybe a dumb question, but I really don't know since It rarely get that cold in Albuquerque.



george

Not a dumb question at all...



The fuel will liquefy when it warms back up, no worries.

 

[tp0d]

I'd wager you're not using synthetic power steering fluid, right? Synthetics help a lot in extremely cold weather.



Rusty

I`ll second the synthetic. In my old truck, I pulled out all the old ps oil with a turkey baster, and replaced with synthetic, then a week later I siphoned and replaced the fluid again (to get it all). worked wayyy better



-j

 

[RobertHiltz]

rkroeker, It is a good idea to replace the filter after the first gell up and then use a additive to prevent reoccurrence.

 

[Sticks]

rkroeker, It is a good idea to replace the filter after the first gell up and then use a additive to prevent reoccurrence.

^^^^THIS^^^^

AND BIO FUEL!!! Bio fuel is the devil, especially in the winter. Power service may be safe to use with Bio, but that does not mean it will help it. I've cleaned out filter housings in the spring with 2" of sludge, and I mean thick sludge bordering on lard from people running Bio. Shuddered to think what the tank looked like (customer declined pulling and cleaning)

Once the filter gets gelled, there is no pulling fuel through it [filter] or circulating ungelled fuel in the canister. Then you take into consideration the itty bitty fuel lines as well.

Heat that block up all you want, the tank and lines are still gooey.

I'm partial to Stanadyne fuel treatment, and I managed to get through the last week of -20+/- (truck plugged in), and a -14 w/o being plugged in... barely started.

Then there is all the equipment at work that I have been fighting as well. Two trucks I had to replace the filters (old one looked like it was full of 80-90 gear oil), fill half of it with fuel treatment (work uses power service), then the other half with fuel out of the tank. Got them running finally.

If anything, place a lamp on the ground under the fuel tank overnight, preferably towards the center where the pickup/sending unit is. It will help warm it a little. Be smart about it, don't use a stupid bright 250+ watt halogen work light unless you have a 6" lift kit.

 

[Grizzly]

Not a dumb question at all...



The fuel will liquefy when it warms back up, no worries.

Thanks Mike. That makes me fill better. My truck will just sit there till things warm up some. My garaged car is my daily driver anyway.



george

 

[retirednak]

Just a suggestion. I always carry a propane bottle with a weed burner attachment, and a 5ft piece of big rig stack when I go ice fishing or where I don't have access to power. I turn the torch on low near the oil pan with a wool blanket on top of the engine. My truck starts every time after a couple hrs. I've used Power Service in the white bottle mixed with Wally World two stroke oil every tank and haven't jelled in several yrs. We used to get heavy equipment fired back up when I worked the oil fields on the North Slope here in AK. Of course it took much longer then a couple hrs to get heavy equipment running when it got a touch cold up there. As mentioned,change the fuel filter after jelling up. Good luck

 

[Newf Limo]

Up here, Diesel is a 60-40 blend of Diesel and Kerosene. You can get lower quality fuels here, as my neighbor was just telling me about his Powerstroke being gelled up a couple weeks ago. When it warms up, your fuel will return to normal.



We have lots of days in the deep sub-zeros. I have never had a problem, I don't plug in. As far as power steering, once the engine is warmed up, the PS comes around. I have had the same PS fluid in there for 180,000 miles, and it was put in in St. Louis back in 2000. The wife's Dakota... same deal.



If you could get a small space heater, like a ceramic desktop heater (electric) you could stick that under the hood and pointed towards the fuel filter. The parafins coagulate and get trapped there. Once your truck is running long enough to warm up, the excess fuel will recirculate to the fuel tank and that will warm up as well. A tarp draped over the truck and a hot lamp from the the feed store (200 watt red lamp) under the truck for a few hours may help and it is easier to run on your solar system. A black tarp over your truck on a Sunny -25degree day and it will get toasty warm in a few hours.



When adding kerosene to fuel, Mobil and Gulf (my brands) use additives. I don't know if it is necessary, but I would research it before making my own concoction. Anti-gels won't help after the fact, if the fuel isn't moving in the system. How can it get to the fuel filter and injector line from the fuel tank if they are already clogged? It doesn't swim Better as a preventative. Heat is the answer.



Good luck.