2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Any Gell Up There CTD?

[Jeff H]

I'm still running plain ol #2 fuel. Seams to start just fine. Usually every year I go through this. I fill up with non treated fuel. Then the next couple nights I see weather turns cold. Below zero or around 0 degrees. I'm thinking Hope it starts. It does too.

At the fuel pump they are marked clearly. Winterized #2 and just #2. I'm still running the plain stuff yet.

So if you gelled one up. How cold was it?

 

[MidwestMotorman]

Gelling

I think #2 is good to 0* and maybe some past that. Usually you don't know it is gelled until the slush finally plugs the filter and you are stalled. The returning fuel to the fuel tank is warmed by the injector pump and engine heat. If travelling and the temp drops, usually one can get by until about -25* or so before the fuel gets too cold and is overcome by the fuel tank cooling. Carry some anti-gel and put it in if you are worried. I usually run #2 as long as possible, as it is cheaper, and gets you better mileage and more power.



I have never been stranded by fuel gelling, as I learned those lessons from my brother who always managed to be stranded somewhere with gelled fuel. He finally learned his lesson when he got stranded in -40* weather in North Dakota out in the middle of BFE while hauling machinery. It took about two hours for his emergency anti-gel to finally work its way through the fuel system so he could start the truck after it died going down the highway. Thank goodness he had plenty of winter clothing!

 

[JPS]

Fuel Gelling

I start using 50-50 blend as soon as local school buses do. Also add a little additive. Believe me you don't want to gel things up!!!! This way may cost a little more,but had farm tractor gel up years ago,next spring needed injection pump redone. jps

 

[kevincook]

I also us anti Gel, put some in a few nights ago and the temp dropped to -15. Well worth the trouble!



KC

 

[illflem]

Straight #2 year round for ten years no gelling with just additive down to minus 30. Howe's, Stanadine and Power Service all work the same.

 

[Red Rocket]

I gelled up on mixed fuel once, I'm not sure what the mix was but I was sledding on the Canadian border and the morning we wanted to leave it was something like -35 or -40. Truck would just fire and run for a few seconds then it quit. Plugged it in during breakfast, 1 hour later it was runnin like a champ.

 

[pwr2tow]

I think the straight #2 is hard on the lift pumps when temperatures get real cold. The past three winters I have run straight #2 and every winter to spring I had to replace the lift pump. A few weeks ago my fuel pressure gauge started showing that the lift pump was going bad again (low readings and intermittent readings, the same as it always does when the lift pump goes out) so just for experiment reasons I put in a half tank of #1 fuel and within 30 miles the pressures were reading normal. It has been below zero here the last few days and every time I start the truck the fuel pressures are o. k. , leads me to beleave the lift pump doesn't like that heavy fuel when it is cold. This is just my opinion and time will tell if I'am onto something, at least on my truck.



Ron

 

[1tuffram]

Years back before I had a Dodge Cummins I owned one of those POS Chevy 5. 7L diesels. Twice I had the fuel cloud and gel leaving me stranded, requiring a tow back home. Made a believer out of me to use additives and or blended fuel in the cold months. The added costs of running additives or the decrease in fuel economy / engine performance from blended fuels is worth the potential headaches of having to hassle with gelled fuel in your lines, filter and tank. Take it from experience if you live in the cold climates and run straight #2 in the winter it well gel on ya at the most in-opertune time and place.

 

[benhall]

Fuel in SE Iowa

In south east Iowa, if you find a pump that isn't pumping treated fuel, it is most likely out on a farm. 99. 9999% of the pumps at home switch to treated fuel around mid October, since temps can sometimes hit 0 then.



Ben

 

[JPS]

Lucky rabbits foot

Illflem, can you let me know where you get your lucky rabbits foot? Just kidding,Bill. jps

 

[illflem]

Not always lucky, one time didn't get the additive in on time for a early Oct cold snap, all the trucks, tractors and 1000 gallon tank gelled up. That was my fault though, not the additive. Most Conoco stations in Montana sell #2 year round, I wouldn't doubt if it's been treated so it doesn't gell in the station pump though.

 

[ewcmr2]

AFAIK fuel sold in cold climates is treated when the cold weather is likely to set in.



Filling up in Tennessee and driving to Pennsylvania (without refueling) is a good way to gel your fuel!



Eric



Got down to 45 this week.

 

[ronco]

The temp. here got to 34 today. Do I need to worry about gelling?







Ronco



We might get snow this year. ROFLMAO

 

[JohnE]

<small><blockquote>Bill said:

...

Most Conoco stations in Montana sell #2 year round, I wouldn't doubt if it's been treated so it doesn't gell in the station pump though. </blockquote></small><hr>

When I drove through Montana 2 winters back, operators and/or attendants at Conoco stations in Missoula, Butte, & Billings all told me they use a winter formula fuel. My noisy clattering Cummins agreed with that statement. This was the places that had diesel in the gas pump islands. Truck stops I (finally) noticed handled straight fuels. Finally got a big drink of straight #2 with a heavy snort of Power Service at Sinclair in Glendive. Cummins said thank you.



My brother lives in Idaho and all the local stations in his area use winterized fuel with a very high percentage of #1 fuel.



I run a pretty good percentage of #1 AND antigell. The Espar has an 1/8" fuel line and will plug easily. Cummins can handle the chunky stuff pretty well.



I was thinking on Ron's comment about lift pump survival. Gelled fuel will plug filters and stop the action. I wonder if it would make 12 valves slip in timing?



Jeff:

Temps are cool enough for me to run 10% #1 fuel and a good dose of Power Service. You living down in the banana belt should be OK with #2 and a bit of supplement.

 

[Royal]

I use #2 year round,probably could use #3 in summer if there was such a fuel. You all stay warm, and Merry Christmas.

 

[JJW_ND]

Straight #2 and additive here!

I am with Bill on this one! I ran just short of 16,000 gallons through my truck and a total of 23 gallons of number 1 (first winter). No blend!



While the Straight #2 might have some additive from the pump it is very little as their are plenty of Fords and Chevys (and a few southern big trucks) that gell.



I have had roblems driving in temps from -10 - -30 on straight #2. That is when things are warmed up, pulling a load adn buying "warm" (underground tanks) fuel. Many all night trips from KS to ND on straight #2.



Parked overnight in temps below -5 would be asking for trouble untreaded.



The fuel heater pre filter, fuel filter on the block, and lots of preheated warm fuel returning to the tank all help make these awsome winter trucks. But all that heat only exists once your running.



My experience is all with Cenex Roadmaster (Premium) Straight #2 and Stanadyne PF additive. Only add additive when temps are below -5 and truck has to set out overnight in it.



Going to try the Amalagated stuff this winter. Has not been cold enough yet to use it. Only been below zeri during the night. But then I am in the Banana belt... Right John!



jjw

ND