Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) fuel gelling?

[Beach]

I went to start my truck this morning, it's -4deg. and it started very hard but did start. It was running a little rough but smoothing out. I went in to get ready, when it turned quiet. My truck died! I went back out and tried to start it, which it did, but no fuel pressure. I could hear the fass pump running, but it died again. Is the fuel gelled, and is there no fuel pressure due to the fuel filter being waxed over now? I need some suggestion's. Thank's for any help. This truck has never gelled in the 3 year's I've had it.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

911. Literally. Go to Wal Mart, Rural King, TSC or an auto parts store and buy some Power Service 911 in the red bottle. Take the fuel filter off and dump some 911 in. Pour the rest in the tank. Hopefully it will start. If you have a new filter on hand that would be wise. Make sure to add the Power Service white bottle to every tank of fuel for the winter at least.

If you plug the block heater in before going to get the 911 it will help in starting.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[monkeyman]

It was 10 below here last night. My Espar would not even start!
My truck is now plugged in and I am going out. I add Red 911 so lets see if it works!
Rick

 

[AllianceDiesel]

it was -10 here last night too and I have power service in it and my truck did not want to start, luckely I grabbed a 3/4 wrench from work and had my buddy try starting the truck while I bled the injectors, it eventually started, I doubled the power service this morning and Im gonna go top the tank with #1, before I go to work tonight.

 

[jkalchik]

My 99 started this morning at -4 degrees F. A little rough, but it did start. I will need to replace the batteries next fall, though. It started better a year ago at -20.

 

[Beach]

I had to run in to work this morning, using my brother's car(sucked) and I grabbed power service(white bottle), it's what we had at work, and on the way home a new fuel filter. I plugged it in. How much power service should I put in with the filter? I'm guessing a splash since that stuff is so potent. Thank's for the help guy's. I think I'm going to get some 911 for next time just so I have it.

 

[GaryOwen]

PS 911 says to mix 50/50 in the filter. That's what I would do. Not sure if the PS White Bottle will work if it is already gelled, but might as well give it a try. Good luck!

 

[6naline01]

fuel gelling

At what temp. is fuel gelling a problem? TIA

 

[jkalchik]

Depends on the fuel. The local truck truck stop gets fuel mixed for 10 degrees F. Another station in town gets a mix for down to -20 F.

 

[BeefDoc]

I've had my truck gelled up 2 times in the past 5yrs, both times occurred after I installed my FASS (just the pump). One time it took 2-3 quarts of 911 and 6 fuel filters (5 F), the other time 1 quart of 911 and 2 filters(-20 F). My truck sits outside all of the time (plugged in), and both times the truck started fine but died within 2-3 minutes. Once it died, I replaced the filter, dumped some 911 in the filter housing, bumped the ignition to cycle the fuel pump, and used something to hold the valve core open on the schrader valve on the VP44 (a smaller allen wrench works well) until all of the air is out and a good stream of fuel is flowing. The truck will always start after that, then I wait and see how long it runs. If it dies again, repeat procedure until truck runs and has power.



Both times this happened, there was 1/4 inch of honey like crap on each pleat of the filter. It was most likely from some bad soy diesel. The crap did not dissolve or dissappear after warmed to room temp. The truck would have never run without replacing these filters.



I run powerservice (white bottle) year round, twice the recommended dose in the winter, regardless of fuel blend. I had it in both times the truck gelled on me too. I talked to their tech people both times, and they treated me very well. They figured I got into too much soy diesel or one hell of a lot of water.



I always keep 2-3 fuel filters in my truck with at least a quart of 911 and the equipment needed to replace said filter. You never know when your are going to get into some crap fuel. Same reason nearly every semi truck on the road has 2 extra fuel filters in it somewhere.



FWIW

Matt

 

[Beach]

Thank's for more good info! I tried all day with no luck in getting it to run. It would fire up after cranking it for a while only to sputter and die after 30 second's with no reading on the fuel pressure guage. I'm going to load it up tomorrow after work and take it to my buddie's shop to warm up. I just filled it up friday and I wonder if I got some bad fuel. I filled up at a BP close to my house, which I just started doing this summer. I usually fill up at the shell where alot of semi's run through, which I think is better because those station's move more fuel due to more truck use. Hopefully I didn't screw up my injection pump cranking on it with no fuel pressure. I've been down that road 1 to many time's! Thank's again!

 

[PC12Driver]

Both times this happened, there was 1/4 inch of honey like crap on each pleat of the filter. It was most likely from some bad soy diesel. The crap did not dissolve or dissappear after warmed to room temp. The truck would have never run without replacing these filters.

Once the paraffin (a wax additive in all diesel) separates out of the diesel fuel, it doesn't go back. That's why just warming the truck and fuel up won't get it going. You'll need something like Power Service Diesel 911 to break the wax up so it will pass through the filter again, and probably a filter change or two. The stuff you found will come from any diesel, not just soy based.

 

[JLEONARD]

At what temp. is fuel gelling a problem?

Last winter I saw a chart somewhere that showed what the anti-gel point was supposedly mixed to based on the region the fuel was going to.

That said you are probably seeing colder than normal temps for this early in the winter??? perhaps.

I onle experienced a problem a couple of times in my diesel years, and they were always early in the winter when the temps were unusually cold. Later in the winter when the temps were colder I didn't have a problem.

It's my theory anyway based on what I read and experienced.



Of course when you're dead on the road what the hell good is theory:-laf:-laf

 

[MKreiberg]

A trick I learned when mine did it... blow (compressed air) backwards through the line (if you pull a line)... if it's cold enough, it could be gelled in the tank/pickup

 

[JKinney]

A trick I learned when mine did it... blow (compressed air) backwards through the line (if you pull a line)... if it's cold enough, it could be gelled in the tank/pickup

You can easily blow the module apart in the tank..... been there done that :{

 

[Beach]

I got mine running after letting it warm up in my buddies garage with his furnace blowing on it for 2 1/2 hr's. I also put a different kind of fuel additive a buddy gave me, into the filter housing, which was half empty. The motor had a 1/4 inch of frost on it while it was (thawing). I'm glad it wasn't anything serious. I have plenty of additive in this tank now, trust me!:-laf. Thank's guy's!

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Hey, good for you Beach!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Godspeed,
Trent