Went to crank the truck up this morning, and it's currently 7 degrees outside. Forgot to put anti-gel in the tank on the last refill

 

Did it start?

 

Sorry to hear about this Curtis, It seems to be running quite common this winter.

 

Wow, again??? Where are you buying fuel?

 

Curtis- -16*F this AM when I went to start my truck at a quarter to 6. My truck had been sitting since Thursday about 6:00PM. I was not plugged in, no anti-gel or other fuel additives in this tank. I had to cycle the GP's several times (probably 8) but it did finally fire and run. I've been experimenting with running with/without DK which is why I didn't have any in the tank. I think the winter blend fuel is hurting performance more than not having the DK. Oh, I have a big **** steel tank too, and it's almost empty so probably more likely to gel than a stock tank or one with some normal amount of fuel in it. I'm going to pour some DK in when I fuel this evening and prolly check my fuel filter for signs of crud from the cold.
Long story short- I don't think gelled fuel was your problem, GP issues perhaps?

 

Dammit I should get some. It's amazing that my truck has had no problems with the fuel gelling even with the USLD this winter. (Jake goes to look for a huge pile of wood to knock on)

 

- 20 here in MN and while I do plug my truck in, I dont run any anti gell, and my truck gets parked outside (wife and the toys get the garage) I've never had a problem with gelling or hard start. 200k and still runs great on my 99, we'll see how the 01 does next year.

 

I'm not that far from you Curtis if you need a hand with anything.

 

Damn, that sucks Curtis. So far so good for me.

 

I'm 100% positive the fuel gelled. Bought from the same station as before when it gelled last month. I didn't even bother to crank. As soon as I turned the key to the run position, I heard the familiar whine of the fuel pump that's trying to pump gel instead of liquid. I've learned quickly to recognize that sound. Verified that with the fuel pressure gauge that was struggling to move. Pretty much I shut the key off, closed and locked the door, cussed, then climbed into the beater car and took off. At least gasoline didn't gel this morning.

I've purchased fuel from other stations this year and not have it gel up, even in single digit temps. But this one station in particular near my house is where I do most of my fillups, and they are notorious this year for having gelling issues. In the past couple of winters I haven't had any issues from this station, but they must have changed suppliers or changed their winter blend this year. It was completely my fault for not remembering to put anti-gel in the tank after filling up. I guess I was used to the week of 60+ degree weather we were having before this cold front blasted us.

Just like last time, I'll have to let the anti-gel work it's magic, then I'll be back on the road like normal again.

 

Diamond Shamrock on Parker Rd. and Plaza. There's a Valero station (same thing as Diamond Shamrock) that's on the south side of Parker at Stroh Rd that uses the same supplier. They also are having gelling issues. Those are the two stations so far that I know of that have problems.

 

Semi related question- you mentioned a "familiar whine" of a fuel pump trying to pump gel instead of fuel. After one of my attempts at starting this morning, I could hear a hissing sound coming from the fuel pump area (also close to where my CCV dumps out). Any idea what was causing this sound? I heard it after a cranking interval trying to get the truck to start.

 

Thanks, I'm not in that area a lot but just curious. That's a bummer.

 

I have some 911 if you need it, I am super close as well and would be more than happy to help. I actually filled up at a DS last and have not had any issues as of yet, but the one that I filled up at was a industrial station, so they must do something different if its the same supplier. I also used DK, dont know if that will help, mabey.

 

Not sure about your noise. I do have a different fuel pump, and it makes a certain whining noise when it's straining hard. The only time I've ever heard it make that sound is when the fuel has gelled.Thanks Andrew. I've got plenty of stuff just sitting on the counter top in my garage.... staring me in the face.... wondering why I could walk right by it and forget to dump some in the tank.....