Archived Fuel GELLED--Need advice!

[mikepvg]

Had a cold snap here... . down to minus 25degF. Fuel is gelled. Truck started but will not remain running.

Besides waiting for the temps to rise what can I do to get it going?



Thanks!

Mike

 

[JKinney]

Add power service additive

 

[biggieou]

Change fuel filter

 

[B.G. Smith]

Might find something of interest here. bg http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/FAQ/diesel_fuel.htm

 

[mikepvg]

Added Power Service--double dose even.....



Got a heat gun on the fuel filter & waiting... ... ...

 

[JoshPeters]

There are anti-gel additives out there. Some that are labeled 911. Dump in the proper ammount and follow the bottle. I've never had one gell on me, but I stopped for a trucker in Wisc that had it happen. We went to a truck stop got the additive, dumped it in and BS'ed for about 30 min... . He went out and fired it up.



The Fuel Filter change is a very very good bet as well.



Josh

 

[MMiller]

Change the fuel filter, and pour some of the Power Service, 911, Howe's Lubricant in the filter. I know, breaking the rules, but it needs to run. Pour a bunch of additive in the tank. Be patient, and then try and start it. If you need to put a torpedo heater near the front of the truck, put cardboard along the sides of the truck to hold the heat in and let it heat the underside of the truck.



If all this fails, hook a chain to it and drag it somewhere warm. Then add some #1 fuel to the tank and try starting it after a few hours. -25*F is cold!!! I would definatly make sure the fuel is blended or even run straight #1 in those temps.



Michael

 

[Woodenhead]

I run Howes in every tank, have seen plenty of -25 and colder before and never had a problem with gelling in my truck but have had problems with some equipment (no additive). How full is the tank? How about getting a few cans of fuel inside to heat it up (near the heater in the shop if possible) mix in some Howes, pull the filter and fill with some of the fresh fuel, dump the rest in the tank and try again. Warming the filter and pump couldn't hurt either. Can you get a 500W halogen under the hood without melting anything? Not sure what it looks like under the hood of those fancy new trucks.



Just some ideas,

Mike

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I think as soon as I got that baby started, I'd keep driving till I got somewhere that was conducive to human life! LOL!

 

[BKeence]

I have put a metal bucket with a few charcoal brickettes under the oil pan, the heat will radiate up around the engine. Keep the hood closed. I wouldn't adivise this if the engine is extra oily but it sure works. Brickettes usually last about an hour so more may need to be added.



Edit: adding -

I use a bucket because the wind doesn't serve havoc on the heat rising and it is important not to get the charcoal to deep in the bucket. If it is deep it will flame up, if it is only a layer thick there will be no flame ups.



Good luck... .





Brian

 

[bmoeller]

Had a tractor gell up last winter. Went and got 2 bottles of Power Service 911. Poured one into the tank.



For the other, I shut the fuel tank valve. Disconnected the fitting for the inlet side of the lift pump and attached a short rubber hose. Pumped the hand primer to push about half the bottle of additive thru the fuel filters. Primed the system and started it up. Ran rough for a several minutes, and couldn't go above idle speed. After a bit, it smoothed out and was OK.

 

[mikepvg]

Well... . Changed the filter... probably not a good idea since it won't prime now ! Old filter didn't even look dirty after 25k miles.



BTW, used a heat gun to warm the filter area & when I pulled the old filter, the fuel was very warm. Definately no wax crystals in there! Therefore the fuel has caused a clog somewhere else but I have no way to heat the entire truck fuel system.



I will have to wait until it warms up outside or tow it somewhere warm.



Can not even get to a store to try some PowerService 911 until tomorrow!



Bitter cold temps again tonight so this sucks!

 

[SDrake]

I experienced this a few years ago. Heating all day with a torpedo heater, with a taupaulin tent around the truck would not get it going. The engine was warm, the fuel in the filter was warm, stuck a thermometer in it, just to besure my hands weren't fooling me. It was toasty under the hood. Someone told me about parifin coating up the filter. Changed the filter and on the road again. I always use antigel now when it gets cold. BTW I cut the filter apart to see if I could see anything. It looked as good as new but would not flow fuel. Learn how to not have this fun but once, I say.



My truck gelled while I was driving a warm truck. Was about 20 miles from home, -10 deg, when she started losing power. I went slower and slower for 2 or 3 miles and then died a slow death on the side of the road. That scenario may have something do do with the permanent sealing of the filter.

 

[MMiller]

When it gets cold like this, there are usually 3 things in the cab of the truck all the time. A spare fuel filter, a bottle of additive, and any tools needed to change the fuel filter. I know your not supposed to, but if the truck jells I fill the filter with additive when I change them. Usually the fuel system will jell in the fuel line along the frame, or anyplace the fuel flow is restricted. I change my fuel fitlers often, and ALWAYS before winter starts. I know it won't probably work on a new cummins, but I have had to crack the fuel lines loose to get fuel squirting and then tighten them up to get the truck running again.



Michael

 

[tmacc]

Mike, had the same problem yesterday. However, compared to you, we had a heat wave here at 2* below. I'm proceeding w/ some of the suggestions mentioned above. Does anyone know if gas line antifreeze will work w/ diesel?

 

[Msilbernagel]

Mike had the same problem yesterday. However, compared to you, we had a heat wave here at 2* below. I'm proceeding w/ some of the suggestions mentioned above. Does anyone know if gas line antifreeze will work w/ diesel?

I'd avoid it like the plague unless it is labelled as Ok for diesel - it's methanol, mostly.



It's hydroscopic (attracts water). I don't know how well it mixes with diesel... plus it's likely to increase octane (decrease cetane).



I read today about E-diesel, which uses up to 15% alcohol, but they also use additives to keep it all mixed up and working correctly. Cummins recommends against E Diesel- it lowers the flash point (dangerous) and causes problems with the pumps, such as the VP44 (cummins article on E Diesel )



FYI - Mark

 

[tmacc]

Well, got 'er started this afternoon. I changed the FF and dumped some Howe's in the FF housing. Dumped maybe a 3rd of a 1/2 gal of Howe's directly in the tank. Added some Howe's to a 5 gal can of fuel and brought it in the house to warm up and then dumped it in the tank. Bumped the engine to see if I was getting any FP. :O Got 1/2 to 1-1/2 PSI Carp!!!!! Some fairly colorful language later, I said to heck with it and hit the starter. It finally started and ran rough as heck. Still no FP reading. Then it died. Oh, carp!! I got it to run and idle in a fairly normal manner and then the FP went up to 16-17. Joy in Mudville at last!! Went and filled it up and added more Howe's. What a pain in the tookass. I couldn't find any PS 911, so Howe's was my only choice. It seems to work and I'll continue to us it for the rest of the winter. Good luck to the rest of the poor b*stards out there w/ the same problem.

 

[Woodenhead]

Glad it worked out for ya. I think most name brand fuel stations have winter additives in their fuel but adding something extra (like Howes) and you should never have to go through this again. I just give it a short free pour in the tank at each fillup, I once tried finding a way to measure as per the cans directions but it turned out to make more of a mess than anything.



Mike

 

[tmacc]

Yea, I'm w/ you on the "mess" thing. I use to carry a couple of 8 oz bottles filled w/ PS centane boost and throw it in a each fill up. Man, 8 oz of additive can make a big mess in the back of your truck when they burst.

 

[MMiller]

For a long time I quit using Power service after I watched a truck driver friend of mine pull a bottle out from the comparment on his truck and it was frozen like a brick!!! We have been using Howe's for a long time. Once we had a tractor that had straight #2 in it, the temp got to about -30, and a truck driver called wanting a load of grain, was on his way. I looked in the fuel tank and a screwdriver would stand up in the fuel. Poured a bottle of Howe's in it, plugged in the block heater. 1/2 hour later the tractor started and ran like a champ the rest of the day. I know Howe's works. I know that Power service works too, it was a little chilling though seeing that PS bottle frozen solid.



Michael