Archived Fuel GELLED--Need advice!

[biggieou]

Could the PS freeze on its own though?? Is there maybe something in it that needs to mix w/the fuel to keep it from freezing? Like radiator coolant will freeze on its own w/out water.

 

[MMiller]

I've never tried to freeze the PS, but it kinda shook me up when that trucker pulled that bottle out. It was a VERY, VERY cold Iowa day when he did that.



Michael

 

[RAJohnson]

Here is a question I asked and no one has responded concerning Stanadyne additive. And how it was like goooo when I opened it.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145979

 

[TowPro]

Isn't there a sock on the fuel pickup in the tank? Kind of a find mesh filter? As diesel starts to gel, it looks like cobwebs in the fuel, which could be clogging up this mesh.



VW had a problem with a check valve in the fuel sending unit that was to small and clogging up with these wax crystals.

 

[cojhl2]

We go thru the same education over and over dont we!?



When it gets cold,, #2 will gel!!! You should be buying fuel from a source that winterizes the fuel by mixing it with #1.



Every fuel fillup should also receive a shot of Power Service. . Without fail!!!



Every fall should find a new fuel filter in the system.



A fuel filter should never "look dirty", if it does you must have pretty dirty fuel. Id get another source.



Never use Heat or those other alcohol additives. I cant remember why but I know you should not.



If your diesel stops running,, and wont restart bite the bullet and get the frostbite out of it. Get it to a warm garage or like some others have said use a salamander to get the rig warmed up.



If you can get the engine to idle,, quickabunny find some Power Service and get it in the tank. It cannot do any good unless it can circulate thru the system.



Sometimes it is not a gel problem but a slug of water (ice) in a low spot feeding the engine.



There is no excuse for this problem,, these engines run in the Arctic all the time!!!



There are other additives but I am a Power Service user and have had absolutely no problems with it.



This problem is easily avoided with prep for winter,, having said that Ive been bitten also along those cold gravel Iowa roads taking the kids to BB practice at 0600,, gits scarey dont it!!!

 

[TW1]

Move to southern Arizona!

 

[keimmmo]

Well, those of you who know me know I sometimes have some less than traditional answers for problems... but they usually work. Now, I would not recommend this for everyday use, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it in an emergency!



If the truck is still running but starting to lose power, a little regular gasoline in the tank will help get it going normally again... and to a place where you can deal CORRECTLY with the problem.



Winter blends do not exist down here in Mexico... and anti-gell aditives are not common. Mexican truckers carry a can of gasoline with them when they will be operating in cold conditions. At the first sign of problems, they stop right where they are and add the gasoline. So, if the right additive for the job is not available and a little gasoline is, it can save a lot of grief!



When the Mexican truckers are in cold enough conditions that they KNOW they will have problems, they commonly mix up to 10% gasoline with the diesel. This used to be common practice in the States as well before the good additives became common.



The "flames" I will get from this will probably be enough to warm up the planet and eliminate fuel gelling altogether!!!



Steve Keim

 

[cojhl2]

Ah yes Steve,, Id forgotten about that. . It always scared me so I never did it but i know many who did.



Also kerosene can be used. We used to have this readily avail when kerosene stoves were in common use. I dont know if it is still avail or not.

 

[keimmmo]

I figure that not every gas station will have diesel fuel treatment. Very few have kerosene. But, they ALL sell gasoline!!! If at home, most people have a can of gasoline for the mower, snow blower, etc. It would be one of the easiest things to grab in an emergency!



Again, I wouldn't recommend it for regular use, but knowing it can and does work sure could save some major grief in a true emergency!



Steve Keim

 

[dmagenau]

When the Mexican truckers are in cold enough conditions that they KNOW they will have problems, they commonly mix up to 10% gasoline with the diesel. This used to be common practice in the States as well before the good additives became common.



Steve Keim

My uncle used gasoline as the last straw when additives or blends were not available. I'm sure it's not recommended, but it works it a pinch. I always blend my fuel depending upon the temperature, usually 70/30 below -20 i use 50/50. She only tried to gel on me once. I poured some PS 911 in as soon as i noticed and she came out of it.

 

[SDrake]

I ran a Mercedes 240D for several years. Bought it used and was spared all the usual drama of reading the owners manual, fooling around with the dealer during the warranty period, going through all the don't do this or that or your will void your warranty stuff. Found a service manual and took care of whatever broke which was not very much. Shortly after buying it I became aware of fuel gelling problem overhearing a conversation and gasoline was the preventative. I drove the car about 150K miles, in addition to the 245K on it when I bought it, --- five winters, puting 10% gasoline in at every fill up starting in november until march or april. Ignorance was bliss. Car ran great right up to the day it threw a timing chain.



I was starting down that road with my Cummins until I was warned not to. I am convinced about the importance of cetane rating so I have no argument about using gasoline as a practice but if I get caught somewhere and I know temps are going to drop and the only thing I have readily available is gasoline, I would not hesitate to put it in the tank with some fuel cetane booster at the first opportunity.