Bad Fuel???????????
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Bad Fuel???????????
It seems every year when the weather first turns cold I have performance issues with my 2007 6.0. Back in October I started running double doses of Howes anti-gell. Done this for the next three tanks and then took it in and had the oil changed and the fuel filters changed. As usual it seems first cold spell where the temps dropped into the high single digits and low teens the truck started to have performance problems. No power when trying to pass. Pedal to the floor and topped out at 55-60 MPH. Losing speed and RPM on long up hills. As long as I did not push the engine it would run as fast as I wanted as long as I eased into the throttle. Stomp down on it and nothing. Took it to the dealer and he checked it out. Tech was driving it with a laptop hooked up and it was running fine and then the fuel pressure dropped to almost zero and then recovered. Further testing revealed nothing amiss. They have told me that they think I must have gotten some bad fuel. What is bad fuel anyway? Buy my fuel from BP stations that sell a lot of fuel so wonder how likley that is. Any thoughts? Are they just telling me we do not know what happened so it must be bad fuel?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: SC
Bad Fuel? Water,sludge,rust.... what are they telling You it may be? Sounds as if You might want to pull your EGR valve as well as changing your fuel filters. Clean the EGR valve and change fuel filters, check or replace Air Filter as well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Clever trick just before outside temperatures get to freezing:
a) drain the tank near empty and keep it there while your dealer(s) switch to winter fuel blend.
b) drain water from the water separator.
c) if needed, fuel filter change.
d) fill up tank only after your dealer confirm it is winter diesel
e) then add double dose of antigel etc.
-------------------
You have another issue.... i.e. EGR or Turbo.
Try an Italian Tuneup.
a) drain the tank near empty and keep it there while your dealer(s) switch to winter fuel blend.
b) drain water from the water separator.
c) if needed, fuel filter change.
d) fill up tank only after your dealer confirm it is winter diesel
e) then add double dose of antigel etc.
-------------------
You have another issue.... i.e. EGR or Turbo.
Try an Italian Tuneup.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: MISSOURI
It seems every year when the weather first turns cold I have performance issues with my 2007 6.0. Back in October I started running double doses of Howes anti-gell. Done this for the next three tanks and then took it in and had the oil changed and the fuel filters changed. As usual it seems first cold spell where the temps dropped into the high single digits and low teens the truck started to have performance problems. No power when trying to pass. Pedal to the floor and topped out at 55-60 MPH. Losing speed and RPM on long up hills. As long as I did not push the engine it would run as fast as I wanted as long as I eased into the throttle. Stomp down on it and nothing. Took it to the dealer and he checked it out. Tech was driving it with a laptop hooked up and it was running fine and then the fuel pressure dropped to almost zero and then recovered. Further testing revealed nothing amiss. They have told me that they think I must have gotten some bad fuel. What is bad fuel anyway? Buy my fuel from BP stations that sell a lot of fuel so wonder how likley that is. Any thoughts? Are they just telling me we do not know what happened so it must be bad fuel?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 763
From: Houston, Texas
I started running Howes a few weeks ago and have recently stopped becuase it really brings my truck down. Even with my DP-Tuner I noticed my fuel economy suffering and my engine sounding sick. I ran the tank empty and filled up with straight diesel and my truck was it's normal self again. My fuel economy and power have since improved also.
Try running the tank down like I did and using straight diesel from the pump. Only fill it up to quarter tank and see how it drives, if performance improves, it was the Howes, if not, it has to be something else.
Try the Powerservice Diesel Kleen white bottle Anti-gel. It's readily available at wal-mart and most parts stores.
I'm hitting easy street
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
Likes: 27
From: Central Oregon
Call the supplier of the fuel where you normally buy your fuel. Ask what they have their fuel treated to. Then watch the weather, colder, add anti-gel.
For peace of mind, add anti-gel of your choice all winter, no need to double dose. The Pilot TS I fuel at is currently 0f. If I'm going to Central Oregon, I add anti-gel, cause it can get below -10f pretty quickly. When in Central Oregon, I try to fuel at the Pilot in Chemult, Oregon, Theirs is treated to -25f.
Happy New Year!
For peace of mind, add anti-gel of your choice all winter, no need to double dose. The Pilot TS I fuel at is currently 0f. If I'm going to Central Oregon, I add anti-gel, cause it can get below -10f pretty quickly. When in Central Oregon, I try to fuel at the Pilot in Chemult, Oregon, Theirs is treated to -25f.
Happy New Year!
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: MISSOURI
I have used Howe's and Powerstroke, some like one over the other but it is personal perferance.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
It sure sounds like the fuel filters need changing. Example: I changed our fuel filters just before leaving on vacation. Went around 1K miles lost power while towing. Had the filters changed and had mega power. So i got some not clean fuel from a truckstop somewhere.
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