I've got two CAT 2mic fuel filters in my toolbox. Last year I had a gelling problem when it was below zero. I think it was a fuel related problem but I think I'd like to add a bit of insurance to the reliability of my truck. I'm thinking about getting a 750watt electric heater and installing it in my toolbox. I'll run the 110v cord out of the box along the frame to the front of the truck by the block heater plug. They I'll just plug both of them in and let my timer do the rest. The heater will have a t-stat so it doesn't get too toasty inside.
I'd like to know what you think of this idea, if it's crazy or if you think it won't help at all. Or if you have a better idea, I'm all for hearing about it.
Thanks.

 

this time of year in the northeast and midwest-diesel fuel is winterized. i always add anti-gel and never have had a problem with gelling in 10 years of owning a diesel! do you use anti-gel?

 

using additive and having the filters in your toolbox, you shouldn't have a problem. Most people (like me) have the 2 micron filters installed down on the frame rail exposed directly to the outside air and can get packed/covered with snow/ice.

 

As soon as you start pumping cold fuel thru it, the heat will be gone! Unless you put in a 12v-120v converter and keep the heater running. I put mine in the engine compartment to help with that issue. I don't have twin 2 mics though, can't say that there'd be enough room under the hoo without a lot of extra plumbing to the passenger side. Mine is mounted on the intake horn, between the engine and master cyl.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the factory filter has a fuel heater...

Does anyone make an aftermarket 2 micron filter with 12v fuel heater?

 

on one hand i would think that would get pretty cold. but being packed with ice/snow it will only get to 32*.. the ice will insulate it. it's probably not as cold as you think it is.. it's pretty likely his filters get colder in the tool box

 

When they are packed with snow, yes it would insulate it and keep it around 32. However, when not covered with snow on cold nights with a strong wind, it will get pretty darn cold. I would think in this scenario, the tool box would be better off, since it wouldn't be affected by the wind chill factor...

 

Metal isn't affected by wind chill. Only live tissue is affected. The filters got so cold last year my hand almost froze to one of them. I do run anti-gel stuff, usually power service. I also thought about running some type of 12v heater but I think it'll be easier to run a convertor/invertor I have (800w, 12v to 110v) to run the heater while driving also...
The way I have my fuel system set up, the Walbro pumps to both 2mic Cat's in the toolbox then to an Aeromotive bypass regulator in the engine compartment. That feeds into the stock fuel filter/heater. The bypass runs back to the tank. I could turn the key on and have my fuel circulate and filter itself for quite awhile before starting my truck. Should take some of the chill out of it.....?

 

It looks like Stanadyne has filters you can add heaters to. Check on page #4.

http://www.allstatesdiesel.com.au/PD...0Catalogue.pdf

 

We've got 7 semi's all running the same cat 2 micron filters and this isn't a problem. If your having a gelling issue it's the fuel, not cold filters. If the fuel is properly treated it won't gel.

 

If you run the proper amount of power service (white bottle), you won't ever have to worry about gelling.

 

I would look into dealing with the cause of the problem which is the fuel gelling. If you only run a 110V setup, once you unplug and drive away, you will still have the same problem and you will have made it away from home before gelling. You are correct that the problem tends to be that the gelled fuel can't make it through the filters but I would recommend trying to treat the fuel first, then look at doing something else. If you want to heat your fuel system, you should look into what the guys running vegetable oil systems are doing.

 

I do use and did use power service when this happened. Truck didn't die on me at the time BUT I had zero fuel pressure (normal is 20psi). I was about 80 miles from home at 2am and -5 degrees so I didn't want to take a chance getting stranded on a lonesome highway with my better half. And I don't want it to happen again. I talked to the Speedway where I get my fuel and at that time there was some mixup and I don't think they were pumping winterized fuel.

 

I had a gelling problem one time last year. I also was using power service at the time (the proper amount per the bottle). It was around 10 degrees when I started it up (was colder during the night and windy, truck sits outside). It started with 14.5 psi of fuel pressure (normally 16), let it warm up for a min or two. Got on the highway and could watch the gauge drop slowly. I made it 1/2 mile and it was at 8 psi, so I turned around and went back home. It was at 3 psi when I shut it off.

I was already late for work so I tried to jump in our other car and both doors where froze stuck shut (got alot of freezing rain the day before). I worked on it for 1/2 hour before I gave up and called in to work, said I couldn't make it.

Had fun riding the snowmobile that day though

 

I too had gelling problems last winter using Power Service and Howes. I found out that ULSD gels much easier than LSD, and the mix ratio on the bottle wasn't cutting it. I ended up tripling the dosage ratio before my fuel-pressure gauge was steady.

By the way, last year (prior to finding the triple-dose solution) I had gelling just as I was leaving for a 20-hour trip. My fuel pressure gauge was bouncing from zero all the way up to 17psi and all points in-between. The truck still seemed to be running OK, but I debated whether to keep going or go back home. I decided to keep going, and after an hour or so my FP gauge became steady as a rock at 21psi (normal) for the rest of the trip. I think the heater in the OEM filter canister was eventually able to heat up the fuel enough to stop the gelling.