Fuel gelled?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Fuel gelled?
Yesterday the truck ran fine. Last night about 9PM I saw the outside temp drop to about -6. Then later to about -12. Twice I started it, let it run for about 15 minutes then shut it down. Both times no issue. (And yes, it does have the high idle feature to prevent fuel stacking)
So this morning, I start it up...let it run for about 10 minutes then head out. About 2 miles down the road, I start losing power and the engine starts chugging. The damn thing couldn't even get out of its own way. Complete loss of power. Barely even make it up a hill. HAd to pull it down to 2nd gear just to get to the top.
So I crippled through a U-turn and about 1 mile back towards the house before I pulled over and called for a tow.
I was going to put fuel additive in last night when I topped off the tank but forgot so I figured I would do it in the morning. Too late!
No CEL, No smoke. If I let it sit for about 30 minutes, it will start just fine and idle fine and even start to move like normal but then a few seconds later, it starts with a slight chugging. If I give it any throttle, the chugging is more noticeable. Under load even worse.
I am thinking fuel gelling since I haven't used any additive at all yet and last night was the first time it got below 25 all year... and a fast drop too.
Thoughts?
So this morning, I start it up...let it run for about 10 minutes then head out. About 2 miles down the road, I start losing power and the engine starts chugging. The damn thing couldn't even get out of its own way. Complete loss of power. Barely even make it up a hill. HAd to pull it down to 2nd gear just to get to the top.
So I crippled through a U-turn and about 1 mile back towards the house before I pulled over and called for a tow.
I was going to put fuel additive in last night when I topped off the tank but forgot so I figured I would do it in the morning. Too late!
No CEL, No smoke. If I let it sit for about 30 minutes, it will start just fine and idle fine and even start to move like normal but then a few seconds later, it starts with a slight chugging. If I give it any throttle, the chugging is more noticeable. Under load even worse.
I am thinking fuel gelling since I haven't used any additive at all yet and last night was the first time it got below 25 all year... and a fast drop too.
Thoughts?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
I had a half tank of fuel in it so while I was waiting for the tow truck I put in some the Diesel Kleen additive but that was just too little too late.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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Likes: 4
When fuel gels, water demulsifies out of the fuel and will accumulate in your filter. Diesel Kleen's 911 product will emulsify relatively large amounts of water back into your fuel so it will pass through your system.
If the shop charges you for the time the truck sits in the garage warming, the bill could be steep. It will take a while to get everything warm.
If the shop charges you for the time the truck sits in the garage warming, the bill could be steep. It will take a while to get everything warm.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
All they will HAVE to do is park it in the warm shop for a couple hours, change the filter and pour some additive in the tank so it won't gel again. If they charge a couple hundred I would ask for extra lubrication, some spooning time and a box of chocolate for the road...
The reason it ran for a few minutes is because there was fuel in the filter. The gelled go-juice was most likely in the 3/8" steel fuel line between the tank and pump or pump and engine. This smaller volume of fuel combined with thermal conductivity of the steel lines is more likely to thicken up. The added mass of the engine, larger quantity of fuel and slightly less exposed location of the filter can keep it from gelling there for longer.
I'd be tempted to remove the suction line from the pump and push a little air back to the tank and up to the open filter to expedite or eliminate the 'warming time'...
Good luck and keep us posted!
The reason it ran for a few minutes is because there was fuel in the filter. The gelled go-juice was most likely in the 3/8" steel fuel line between the tank and pump or pump and engine. This smaller volume of fuel combined with thermal conductivity of the steel lines is more likely to thicken up. The added mass of the engine, larger quantity of fuel and slightly less exposed location of the filter can keep it from gelling there for longer.
I'd be tempted to remove the suction line from the pump and push a little air back to the tank and up to the open filter to expedite or eliminate the 'warming time'...
Good luck and keep us posted!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
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From: Wheatland, Mo
OK...I MAY have exaggerated a bit. This shop is actually the only one i will take my truck to around here. They are very honest and do great work. My wife's car had a slight oil leak she wanted them to fix. Instead, they recommended she switch oil brands and if it didn't work, then they would look at her car. Hasn't leaked since. They could have easily hosed her for something that wasn't needed. So I trust they will be honest about this and only charge when they actually have hands on.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Well as it turns out... Nasty air filter, (I had forgotten that I needed to change that), fuel filter ... Add a wick and call it a candle.
They topped off my tank, added some addititive that they use for the fuel gelling and fed clean warm fuel through the lines to make sure nothing was clogged in there. Total bill is $158. Not bad. Could of been worse.
Truck is running fine so I am picking it up on my way home.
AND... they got to it right away. It was dropped off this morning at opening time and it is already done.
They topped off my tank, added some addititive that they use for the fuel gelling and fed clean warm fuel through the lines to make sure nothing was clogged in there. Total bill is $158. Not bad. Could of been worse.
Truck is running fine so I am picking it up on my way home.
AND... they got to it right away. It was dropped off this morning at opening time and it is already done.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
That's not bad at all. Diesel is $3.80/gal here so just 10gals is almost $40, a $35 fuel filter, $15 air filter and a couple hours labor and they got to it right away - I think that is very fair. Glad ya got it workin' again!!!!!! 
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Service like that is why I always send people to them. I have never been dissastified with their work.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: N.GA Mountains
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 238
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From: Central Mississippi
Thanks for your input.
Steve
PS I found out about the problem from Bob at Guzzle's Orings. Told him my symptons and he told me exactly what the problem was. And he was right. Yes I did have a metal tank.
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