Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cold operation problem

[Gordon Maney]

In the last week we have had some low temperatures, ranging from 0 degrees F down to -10 degrees F. I plug in the engine heater; the truck has started fine and run fine. I use fuel conditioner, and the tank was filled before this time period, with about a quarter tank being used during this period.



One day when it was 0 degrees in the morning, I realized I had forgotten to plug it in, but it started just fine and idled fine. After about a mile of highway driving, it started to falter and lose power. I was not sure I would be able to make it to a convenience store about two miles away. I did get there.



I pulled in and added another does of fuel conditioner as a desperate attempt to do something. I then drove around the building a few times, and then took off down the road again. It operated as if the engine would not run past a certain position of the pedal; it would fall on its face when you got past that point.



I was able to carefully get it to the point where it was running at about 50 mph, and kept it there. In about 10 miles it came out of it and has not done it since.



Did I have fuel gelling somewhere? Or did I have some water freezing somewhere? I believe the fuel filter is good, and it did way better than this in temperatures that were 10 degrees colder.



I am thinking the engine heater has little effect on the fuel filter or other fuel system parts. Is that wrong?



I don't really understand what would have caused this and am interested to hear opinions on this event.

 

[Walleye mike]

What your fuel pressure? Do you have a gauge? Sounds like a Lift pump. The first time I had trouble was when it got cold.

 

[keimmmo]

No doubt in my mind, one of two things happened. Most likely, you were starting to gel. In the very beginning of the gelling process, the wax in the fuel starts to plug the filter and you lose power EXACTLY as you described. The extra fuel conditioner probably saved the day for you. It is also possible you had a little water in a fuel line that froze and restricted the fuel flow. It too would act just like you described, but it would be less likely to get better with the addition of more conditioner.



If you are ever in a situation where this starts to happen and you do not have/can not get more conditioner, you can add a little regular gasoline to cut the gel. Do a little math in your head to decide how many gallons of fuel are in the tank and add up to 10% gasoline. This was common practice in the States before the conditioners of today became common and is STILL practiced in Mexico. While I wouldn't recommend this for every day use, it WILL get you through an emergency!!!



Enjoy the cold...



Steve Keim

 

[J.Post]

Where in Central America does it get down below 0*F?

Just curious.

 

[Gordon Maney]

What your fuel pressure? Do you have a gauge? Sounds like a Lift pump. The first time I had trouble was when it got cold.

No, I do not have a gauge.

 

[Gordon Maney]

No doubt in my mind, one of two things happened. Most likely, you were starting to gel. In the very beginning of the gelling process, the wax in the fuel starts to plug the filter and you lose power EXACTLY as you described. The extra fuel conditioner probably saved the day for you. It is also possible you had a little water in a fuel line that froze and restricted the fuel flow. It too would act just like you described, but it would be less likely to get better with the addition of more conditioner.



If you are ever in a situation where this starts to happen and you do not have/can not get more conditioner, you can add a little regular gasoline to cut the gel. Do a little math in your head to decide how many gallons of fuel are in the tank and add up to 10% gasoline. This was common practice in the States before the conditioners of today became common and is STILL practiced in Mexico. While I wouldn't recommend this for every day use, it WILL get you through an emergency!!!



Enjoy the cold...



Steve Keim

I try to follow the directions on the container for the fuel conditioner, but I have wondered if putting it in at a bit higher rate would be good. Is there a disadvantage to that?

 

[keimmmo]

I didn't notice your location when I posted! I live in central Mexico, though I spent the first 34 years of my life in central Illinois. Exactly where are you?



Fuel additives/conditioners at high concentrations can help clean the injectors and help un-gel the fuel after gelling starts. Some even fill the fuel filter canister with pure additive when they change the filter to help clean the injectors. I know of no harmful effects in using it at higher that recommended concentrations... other than costing a little extra cash to buy the stuff.



Are you able to get good diesel conditioner where you live? The stuff IS NOT common here and EXPENSIVE when you find it. Some gas stations have it in tiny cans, but you need several cans to properly treat a tank of fuel... not practicle. The most common injector cleaner is ATF and the most common anti-gel is gasoline. NO WHERE NEAR HIGH TEC!!! But, it seems to work.



Steve Keim

 

[Gordon Maney]

I didn't notice your location when I posted! I live in central Mexico, though I spent the first 34 years of my life in central Illinois. Exactly where are you?



Fuel additives/conditioners at high concentrations can help clean the injectors and help un-gel the fuel after gelling starts. Some even fill the fuel filter canister with pure additive when they change the filter to help clean the injectors. I know of no harmful effects in using it at higher that recommended concentrations... other than costing a little extra cash to buy the stuff.



Are you able to get good diesel conditioner where you live? The stuff IS NOT common here and EXPENSIVE when you find it. Some gas stations have it in tiny cans, but you need several cans to properly treat a tank of fuel... not practicle. The most common injector cleaner is ATF and the most common anti-gel is gasoline. NO WHERE NEAR HIGH TEC!!! But, it seems to work.



Steve Keim

I live in Eastern Iowa.

 

[keimmmo]

OK... central America... as in the middle of the US... not the Central America between North America and South America. Explains why it is so cold there...



I REALLY DO recommend you get a fuel pressure gauge!!! It is just a matter of time 'til you have a lift pump fail and kill the VP from a lack of pressure. A new injection pump is "only" $1000... plus labor if you can't do your own work. A fuel pressure gauge is CHEAP insurance!



Steve Keim

 

[monkfarm]

gasoline may do in a pinch, but it does the seals, and o-rings no good. (Cummins actually issued a bulletin having to do with adding gasoline. (about screwing up the fuel system) I agree that you were starting to gel. You definitely want to carry an extra fuel filter with you for those kind of emergencies. The first thing to check on a diesel is the fuel filter (or just change the darn thing!!) in a situation like that. A small propane torch is a handy thing to have as well, (heat up the fuel filter).

 

[Gordon Maney]

gasoline may do in a pinch, but it does the seals, and o-rings no good. (Cummins actually issued a bulletin having to do with adding gasoline. (about screwing up the fuel system) I agree that you were starting to gel. You definitely want to carry an extra fuel filter with you for those kind of emergencies. The first thing to check on a diesel is the fuel filter (or just change the darn thing!!) in a situation like that. A small propane torch is a handy thing to have as well, (heat up the fuel filter).

... and you are meaning, heat the filter housing? I would think that given seepage and accumulation on the engine of various petroeum bases materials that this would be an approach with significant hazard.

 

[keimmmo]

If you think you might have a frozen fuel line, an old trick is to bake a potatoe and cut it in half and place it on the low spots in the fuel line. If you don't bake it until completely done the first time you can reheat and reuse it several times before you have to give up and use another potatoe.



Steve Keim

 

[monkfarm]

It's far better to have put #1 fuel in the line in the first place, and have your xtra fuel filter, but if you are stuck somewhere, a torch will get you going, untill your return lines and fuel tank get you going. Last winter, I had to get one of our trucks going (my brother driving it and in my ear the whole time) 18 below zero (or some such phenomonly cold temperature) and I had plugged the thing in the late morning, he had to be at his appointment at 20:00 (8pm), and I laid under the truck with a propane torch heating the fuel filter (Kenworth with an ISX) for about an hour while the engine chugged away. Finally the fuel became warm enough so the engine ran properly (10 minutes late for his appointment hauling butt on icy roads) If you are careful with the torch, nothing will burn up.

I never heard the one about the potatoe.