Can gelled cause damage

[DBond]

Can gelled fuel cause damage

If there is an overnight cold snap and my fuel gels, I assume that no harm is done if I let things warm up enough for the fuel to flow. But what if I try to start with gelled fuel, could this cause damage to anything, like the HP fuel pump or injectors? I am thinking these things depend on fuel to lubricate and are not getting that fuel through them.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Just warm it up if it gels. The gelled fuel won't hurt anything. It just won't start.

 

[TowPro]

most damage I could see is your pride as you sit on the side of the road waiting for the fuel to warm up.



Its been years since I have seen Gelling problems, but the truck always started, then headed down the road before it gelled. Most times when gell starts it looks like spider webs in the fuel, this gets trapped in the fuel filter which clogs causing the engine to quit. Back in the early 80's I did see one truck come in where we could put a stick in the saddle tank and pick the fuel up on chunks. Kind of looked like vasonlean that had started to melt.

 

[nickleinonen]

But what if I try to start with gelled fuel, could this cause damage to anything, like the HP fuel pump or injectors?

it could damage your hp pump if you keep trying to crank as if there is no fuel in the pump, and it is turning, there is no lubrication in the pumping elements of the pump. so as long as you don't sit there and crank it for as long as your starter will last, you should be ok [and if it stalls out on the road, the engine dies at about the time the fuel runs out of the pump, so no lubrication loss really unless you coast with it in gear turning the engine]

 

[jwduke]

Put some Power Service 911 in the tank, that will fix your problem. Good luck!!

 

[DBond]

Thanks for the advice, I feel comfortable now

 

[TJarecke]

Anyone have a truck gel running a FASS? My brother's gelled this morning at -16 wind chill. (-4 actual) It started fine then began to idle rough as it ran for a couple min. Zero fuel pressure and now the pump won't run when the key is turned on. He forgot the power service on this tank. Any ideas?

 

[CORed]

No answer on the FASS issue, but my truck gelled a couple days ago while out hunting. Temp was about 5*. I had ran it the evening before. I had Power Services in it, but evidently not enough. I am pretty sure, however, that I had what was prescribed. I always had fuel pressure according to my gauge. Windchill was in at least -10*. I poured hot water over the fuel lines and the fuel filter three times... about two quarts worth each time. Seemed to make very slight improvements in it's "desire" to start, but nothing huge. Engine was so cold some of the water would freeze in icicles at the bottom of the pan. I left the hood open and tried it multiple times. It never got above 30 degrees and it sat with the hood open (sunny) for a couple hours. Finally I just prayed (seriously) and it started up. I'll be doubling my amount of PS in each tank during this cold snap though. I expected it to do better.



Steve

 

[Smokey 01]

Mine gelled last night overhead said -15. I'm still trying to get it going . Worst part is it is 40 miles away where I can plug it in but no heated area to easily get it to. :{