Guys a bit of advice for a new diesel truck owner. I don't drive this thing much, but now that the weather has gotten really cold (North Dakota) I've had a problem. I think it's a fuel gelling problem, but how about some words of wisdom from people who have diesel truck experience. I got this truck in late in November. I made a trip to Kansas City and back, about 850 miles both ways, no issues at all. I love this truck, an 08 F250 6.4 PSD. I got fuel at a no name station in rural ND about 3am and finished my trip home with about 3/4 of a tank remaining. Three days later I take off to go to work after letting the truck idle a few minutes. I picked up a few supplies to take to work and headed out of town.

About a mile down the road The truck ran rough for a couple of seconds and died, and wouldn't restart, It was -25 F. I hoofed it 1/2 mile to a convenience store, got a bottle of diesel fuel additive, not sure of the brand and put it in the tank, tried to restart and it started. I returned to the store and topped off the fuel tank with what the attendant told me was P 40 fuel. I had no problem after that till this morning. Saturday I was down to about 1/2 of the tank with the additive, so again I topped it off with the P 40 fuel. All is good till this morning, and the temp is -27. The truck starts like a champ, I drive to work, no prob. After a few hours at work I'm done at this facility, and think I ought to take the truck out on the road, get it hot and drive it that way for a bit, since I have been doing short trips. About a mile from town, same thing, looses power and dies. after about 30 m in I restart it, drive the mile back to town, and it dies again. I go and get a bottle of 911, put it in the tank, , it starts. Now the check engine light is on

This truck now has 3022 miles on it. Its going to the dealer tomorrow. Any ideas??? I'm still leaning towards fuel gelling problems, and maybe now plugged up fuel filters. What is a good fuel additive for cold. I'm not sure anyone in town has plain #1 fuel available, and the P 40 SHOULD be ok, but my experience with diesel trucks has sucked so far.

Help

 

I'm NOT a diesel expert, but I live in MN and haven't had any gelling problems regardless of where I have gotten my fuel. May be dumb luck or that I used Howes fuel additive in every tank.

Here's a report that may be beneficial in your selecting an additive:

http://www.johnfjensen.com/Diesel_fu...itive_test.pdf

Based on this report, Howes doesn't rate the highest in the scarring tests (HFRR), but it's in the ball park. Also, it's readily available and reasonably priced.

Again, I'm no expert and only as dumb as the internet makes me. LOL

 

use the motorcraft stuff in the owners manual is my advice. I have started mine in -1 so far and have been running #2 diesel so far.

Couple of places in Kansas fuel was coming out of the pump mightly slow but truck ran just fine.

 

I use Power Service Diesel Kleen in the white bottle for winter time and grey bottle for warmer months. Here is a link to a good study done on additives:

http://www.johnfjensen.com/Diesel_fu...itive_test.pdf

This has been posted a few times before and it's good reading. I use the Diesel Kleen because it's easy to find and works well for me. Good luck.

 

sleepsafe,

I wonder if you are having some regen problems? What job # is your truck? Have you had the flashes done if it is an earlier build #?

Just a guess.

 

It's a job #3, no reflashes done since I've had it, only a bit over 3k miles.

 

I do not think any flashes are needed for a job # 3.

I wonder if it is just a fluke DPF problem?

Maybe some really bad fuel. You still haven't gone through the whole tank yet have you?

Keep us posted as to what the dealer comes up with. Good luck!

 

My wife's truck is a job 3. Had it in for a vibration, which they did fix by replacing all the tires. They also flashed the computer. When we pick it up, I'll try to get the reflash number...

 

I live just North of Winnipeg you should know where that is SLEEPSAFE and it is colder here. I never use addative in the winter just use winter fuel never have a problem. Once filled up in the fall before they switched to winter fuel and did not use the truck to burn the fuel before it got real cold it was a little slower starting and ran a bit rough until it warmed up after that it was fine. Had the same problem with my Kubota deisel mower/snowblower filled up with summer then did not cut anymore grass as soon as I got into heavy snow it would die had to limp into the warm shop with it a couple of times to warm up the fuel in the tank so that could well be the problem.

 

Most Diesel fuel refineries switch to a winter grade of Diesel fuel in the late fall period to prevent gelling. If a retail outlet has slow diesel sales and the temperature falls in a unexpected cold snap, you will end up with gelling if he has summer grade diesel fuel in the underground storage tank.

In my previous 6.9 L PSD, I had gelling problems big time with a sudden cold snap and fuel from a corner store fuel outlet. My truck and daughter's Diesel Rabbit suffered until we got rid of the non winterized diesel fuel.

The check engine light will now help as you have thrown one or more PCM codes. Your Ford service department should now be able to find the cause. I would get rid of the remaining diesel fuel in the tank and stick with the truck stop outlets for your fuel. Ford anti-gel for the ULSD engines works well for me.

 

Have you tried draining some fuel from the water separator under the truck on the frame rail? If you got some bad fuel (water in it) it may be freezing/gelling up at the separator. There would be enough fuel past the separator to probably get you down the road a mile or so. Its located inside the drivers side frame rail by the front driveshaft (assuming you have 4x4). Place a 5/16 rubber hose on the nipple, turn the little yellow lever and water/fuel should drain out. If you get a lot of water you may want to replace the filters. I think they recommend doing this procedure about once a month but that all depends on how often you use the truck.

 

Truck went to the dealers today. Interestingly the check engine light was off this morning. They did find waxing in the fuel filters, so the changed them. The only code was for an engine lean episode, which the SM thought could have been from the filter issue. There was a reflash needed for the PCM. Haven't driven it yet, but it's 25 degrees warmer than it was when I had the problem. Got some fuel treatment from the dealer that I'll use from now on.

 

Sleepsafe,

Did they tell you what the flash was or what it was for? I have a F350 Job # 3 and would like to have some more info if you have it. Thanks!!

Glad they got you back running well again.

 

It is the re-instated customer satisfaction program that was stopped back in Oct.

Updates the PCM to show "cleaning exhaust filter" continously in the display and a slight change in shifting patterns in the tranny.

Mine is being done now.

 

Senix,

My truck displays "cleaning exhaust filter" when it starts regen does that mean I have the flash?

Did your dealer reccommend the flash for your truck?

I do not have any problems now so I am a little worried about messing with the PCM.

You know the saying " if it ain't broke don't fix it".