Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Finally got the 3 cyl mode to work, however truck also gelled up

[GOT-Torque]

This morning it was -10 degrees outside, truck wasn't plugged in. Let the grid heaters cycle twice before I started it. Started fine, a few more revolutions than the normal 1/2 revolution before it fired off. The power steering pump was not happy once it started. Within a minute the high idle kicked in and almost right away it went into the 3 cyl mode EGTs went to about 500 or so. Let it warm up for about 3 minutes and left for work. Fuel pressure was at 15 in the driveway (a few psi less than normal), I made it 1/2 mile and the fuel pressure had slowly dropped to 8 psi, so I quick turned around and headed back home. It was at 2 psi when I parked it.



I run straight #2 all year with powerservice additive in the winter. I've never had trouble before (even to -20 degrees), but now the diesel at the pump is ULSD.



Apparently, the additive has very little effect on ULSD (even though the bottle says it will work).

 

[steved]

Welcome to ULSD... there are a couple threads about it. I had a batch (dosed with Howe's) give me issues at around +5*F...



It seems dependant on where you buy, ask around at the different stations to see what they are protected to...



steved

 

[jkalchik]

No issues here in southeastern Minnesota. Gotten down to -20 degrees F a couple of times already this winter. Every tank gets dosed with Stanadyne PF.

 

[GOT-Torque]

how much additive and what kind do you recommend???

 

[cojhl2]

I'm gonna watch this threaad,, I can't believe PS did not work.



"Let it warm up for about 3 minutes and left for work"

Nothing to do with gelling but you did nto warm it up as much as I do. .

 

[GOT-Torque]

I can't believe it either, I have run PS in every tank of fuel I have ever run. They have a "no gelling guarentee" right on the jug, but you have to be a member and buy it by the case.



My relatives use a small amount of gasoline in every tank of diesel fuel for all their semi's and tractors and claim it works great (can't remember the amount, maybe 1 gallon per 50 or 100 gallons of diesel). Ever heard of this? I'll have to do a search and see what I can find...

 

[GOT-Torque]

jkalchik, do you park your truck inside?



Mine sits outside in the wind. Windchill last night was around -30 degrees. Also, I had to bust quite a bit of drifts to get to work the day before, and I noticed my entire FASS system is insulated with snow/ice right now. This can't be helping things...

 

[cojhl2]

My relatives use a small amount of gasoline in every tank of diesel fuel for all their semi's and tractors and claim it works great (can't remember the amount, maybe 1 gallon per 50 or 100 gallons of diesel). Ever heard of this? I'll have to do a search and see what I can find...

I have friends also that do this. Personally I would not. First I don't know how much and if I did know that I would not know what its doing to the basic fuel.



I have mixed Kerosene with #2 and I dont think that hurts,, but PS has always been the solution for me.



BTW don't let anybody tell you windchill is only for humans. Not true, on the farm we always parked so the engine was protected.

 

[GOT-Torque]

They use 1% gasoline added to the diesel. They found this info out of a caterpillar owners manual or service manual? They felt that if CAT recommended it, then it must be ok. Obviously, there are differences in fuel delivery systems which needs to be considered.



I added a 32 oz. container of Power service 911 to my tank this afternoon (high of 10 today) and let it mix for a few hours and then started it up to let it warm up and flow the additive through the filters. It started with about 11 psi and over 10 to 15 minutes of idling, it came up to about 14. I took it for a drive to get the engine up to temp and after 10 minutes or so, pressure was back to 16. 5 psi. Didn't drop hardly at all when accelerating so it must of worked. I guess I will keep a jug of this with me in case off another problem. I wasn't sure if I was going to have to change all my fuel filters or not...



My real question is why did it gel? I had added atleast 16 oz of regular power service to this tank (which was filled from a local truck stop). Should I just be adding an entire 32 oz container at each fill?

 

[steved]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176737





This might be worth the read...



steved

 

[jkalchik]

jkalchik, do you park your truck inside?



Mine sits outside in the wind. Windchill last night was around -30 degrees. Also, I had to bust quite a bit of drifts to get to work the day before, and I noticed my entire FASS system is insulated with snow/ice right now. This can't be helping things...

Outside, nose up close to the garage door.



I'd park it inside, but the tall cap is a couple of inches too tall for the garage door.

 

[GaryOwen]

I started to gel also with PS at -5 deg F. Used 16 oz/25 gal, which should be double dose. Was close to station that had diesel, so pulled in and filled up. Figured since tanks were in ground, would bring temp of fuel up some. Worked okay and was able to continue on while outside temps warmed up.



Also had gelling problem earlier with Stanadyne PF at normal dose at 5 deg F.



Gary

 

[David_VT]

hmm, something new to worry about...



After spending the last month in Oman (92F), I came home friday to VT to find my 99 buried in snow and fully cold soaked after a month of sub freezing weather.



I was pleased to see it start on the first try, hi idle then 3 cyl idle. I run 5% bio (my first winter with it).



The truck has never been in a garage since I bought it. Now at 150k.



Yesterday we saw about 3ft of snow in northern vermont. Now we will see the cold... .



Hopefully my bio choice will offset the ULSD impact????



Stay warm... .

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I run straight #2 all year with powerservice additive in the winter. I've never had trouble before (even to -20 degrees), but now the diesel at the pump is ULSD. (

If you are buying it from the pump there is a very good chance the fuel is a kerosene mix already. Around me everything coming from the pump is at least 40% kerosene. You'd have to check with the local terminals to know for sure.

 

[steved]

If you are buying it from the pump there is a very good chance the fuel is a kerosene mix already. Around me everything coming from the pump is at least 40% kerosene. You'd have to check with the local terminals to know for sure.

There is a supposed shortage of ULS Kero... you might be only getting ULSD with an OTC additive in it... that's what is going on here...



steved

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

Well since this stuff has come out my truck runs worse, stumbles and the lift pump screams when the temps drop. I have never had gelling before and somehow I feel that I am too becoming the victim of it. I run Power Service and can't tell a difference. Truck is parked inside at night and when I pull out of the garage its fine, but once I get down the road thats when the problems starts. I guess the government knows best. Maybe after enough failures we can send a bill to the EPA.



Gary

 

[cojhl2]

I always thought Winter blend was #2 mixed with #1. Is there not a #1 in the ULSD world? Seems like I read something about that,, but my brain is full.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

They have around me, the current fuel is blended to 40% kero

 

[steved]

And as I said, there is a supposed shortage of #1 ULSD (which is ULS kero). You can't sell fuel as ULSD with #1 LSD blended with #2 ULSD...



I have asked at several stations around here and not one has LSD... they all have un-winterized #2 ULSD, all they are adding is an OTC additive.



On a side note, it was 5*F this AM and I had no trouble... the fuel I am getting now seems to be a lot better... the FASS even sounded normal!



steved

 

[dregs]

if thats what you have been doing you have been playing spin the cylinder on the hand gun. Not plugging the truck in at -10 or even -20 you are flat out crazy, with a second gen truck double cycling the grid heaters also those times, that's just hard on your cummins. you are so lucky to ever get to work if that s your norm. Just flat crazy.