Bump.

3 posts this AM about gelled trucks. Come on guys. These diesels ain't gassers, they need to be fed properly.

 

Well, mine gelled last night also... I did everything I could and it still gelled. Me and the wife and my dog were at a superbowl gathering, and started the truck up at about 11pm w/ temps of -2. Rough start. Fuel pressure 20psi. Drove about 4 miles before I noticed my pressure went to ZERO... Thankfully we didn't get on the highway yet... went back to my brother in laws house, truck still running fine but couldn't take the chance on the highway with these temps... Left it in his heated garage over night... back to 20psi and made it home this morning. I don't know what to do as I used the required 911 and always use the anti-gell PS.....???
btw- it was -12 this morning....

 

Yup Geico, I sure am sorry. I was lazy, didn't think it was too cold now my truck is parked and I am praying my wife's car doesn't gel up so we can take it to buy some anti gel for hers and mine No where in walking distance that sells anti gel so I'm crossing my fingers

 

Just because you use the anti-gel conditioner if it gets cold enough your fuel will still gel, if you are not using a winter blend fuel. Some service stations don't put the winter blend in their fuel and just adding any anti-gel doesn't cut it in extreme weather. I purchase my fuel at a Sinclair truck stop which blends 30-70 mix and I still add a anti gel. No problems at -35*. Other D/F vehicles and equiptment gelling up all over the place buying from Chevron and others which in my area don't blend their d/f ???? Even guys putting in anti-gel are still having problems......been there done that.

 

Even with winter blend and a double shot of stanadyn, I've gelled at -45*. It Happens we drive Diesels. A tip for those of you who don't run in the really cold weather. When It is cold let the truck completely warm up to operating temp before you hit the road. That way the fuel returning to the tank has a chance to warm up and help warm the cold fuel in the tank.

 

ofcmarc,

My 2003 won't even budge the temp gauge in this super cold. I never had trouble, not once, and that was down to -21F, not plugged in, outside overnight, for a few years on the same truck. Now for two days in a row it's plugged up tight. Now it will idle for 5 minutes and die so there is no chance to even get it warmed up even a little.

Andy

 

Just don't switch to a different place to buy your fuel as my second cousin bought some from Hy Vee and had his VW gel up on him while he was driving near Ames the other night. I know our fuel should be 70/30 mix with #1 and it should not gel but some times they do screw up. This is why I always carry a bottle of PS Red 911 in my truck just in case. Just to be safe I mix 10 oz PS and 16 oz 2 cycle oil to every 30 gallons of fuel.

 

My buddys truck gelled up this morning, was about -2, it didn't shut off but wouldn't hold and idle and was barly running, brought it inside, filled the fuel filter back up and it was good, put some additive in it. He learned.

 

My temp gauge dosen't like to move either in the cold. I block the radiator and even remove the cooling fan during winter months which helps alot.

If you are running for a few minutes then dying, you might have an ice blockage. Hopefully not. Fuel typically gells first in the filter(s) so they would be the first thing to swap. Swaping filters in the cold really sucks though. I usually will get a torpedo heater from a buddy to heat the engine compartment to make life more bearable(or even thaw the truck enough to get it running and into a shop for a filter change). Remember that fuel cold enough to gell will frostbite exposed flesh almost imediatly if you spill it on yourself

I've toyed with the idea of clamping on a 75W tranny pan heater to thaw filters in the cold but havent tried it yet. A heat gun would probl;y thaw the filter enough to get going or maybe the wife's hairdryer in a pinch.

BTW, I don't worry to much about gelling until -40* or colder. Winter blend fuel and a dd of stanadyne PF in every tank!

 

I just swapped out my filter. It was very much gelled up! I am going to take photos of them for my own amusement. The truck is running at high idle now. It could be possible that I got a bad batch of fuel. I've bought my fuel 90% from the same place each time, including this batch. I also ran the pump a few times with the drain open and the filter out so I could see what was going on. Talk about SLOW. It took I bet 10 seconds to completely fill that can w/o a filter in it. The color of the fuel is yellow greenish, like it has water in it. It is possible that the pump is doing all that but I have exactly 1/2 tank of fuel. I poured in 5 times too much power service (grey bottle) just because I couldn't find any 911 around. Everyone around here seems to be having trouble and they all say the same thing... Never had this problem before this winter.

I'm going to head out to take a spin and see what happens. Hopefully all is well and I can get something to eat!

Andy

 

Andy, the grey (silver) bottle Power Service doesn't have any anti-gel properties, it's for the summer.
You better pick up some in the white bottle.

 

I don't see how you folks put up with that crud. When it hit 21* friday night in dallas I was all sorts of cold even when wrapped up in bed. Sure was nice to see 65* today. Had the windows down and the radio up. Even rolled my sleeves up walking across campus.

 

I figured that out a little while ago... Nothing else available in ANY of the stores in town. I did go bombing up and down the interstate and everything is fine and it's -2F. I will have to just keep an eye peeled for the stuff with the antigel.

Andy

 

Hey Andy did you try farm and fleet or the flying J on Ryan road otherwise I know Huckstorf Diesel has stuff.Or Cummins Power on Ryan also.I might have some if you are completely outa luck. But I won't be around until Wed. morning. Let me know if you need help.I live close to the airport.

 

I work in downtown Milwaukee but live in Delavan so my drive is up I-43 the whole way. I'll have to stop in East Troy to get something maybe. There is a farm and fleet in Janesville that is 25 minutes away and there's a diesel shop over there as well. I should have driven over that way. I'll regret not doing so when I try to get home tomorrow night I'm sure.

Andy