Gelled Fuel?

[GreatWhitehunter]

The cold temps finally arrived here in CT. So stupid me decides this is a good time to leave my 3320 out of the garage. It's been outside for about 3 days with low's of around 2 degree's F. I tried to start it today and the battery was dead. I then jumped it and she fired up fine. I let her warm up at high idle for a few min and went to work. About ten min later she starts sputtering and loosing power. I'm pretty sure it's gelled fuel and I've added PS Diesel 911 to the tank. I have another canister fuel filter on hand. But the tractor is stuck in the center of my driveway. Should I replace the fuel filter and try to start it? Or tow it out of the way and wait till the temps come up over the next few days?

I guess I'm fortunate because I've never run into gelled fuel in about 10 years of owning diesel engines.

Matt

 

[Gizmo2]

Don't feel bad I went 20 some years with no issues then in 2009 this...http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/135897-diesel-water-plus-cold-weather.html

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

After looking at JDparts site it appears that the seperater has a filter element also. Should I try to replace that also? I don't have one of those. If I remove the sep bowl and fill it with 50/50 911 and diesel would that work?

Matt

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Don't feel bad I went 20 some years with no issues then in 2009 this...http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/135897-diesel-water-plus-cold-weather.html

My issues sure sound like yours. Did you just clean off the sep filter and replace the canister filter or replace both?

Matt

 

[raasd]

Pull the fuel filter off and fill it with 50/50 No. 1 diesel and PS 911. It should fire up. I would then top off the tank with No.1 diesel as well. You should be fine. I had the same thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago and it worked fine. No need to change the filters unless they are due.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Pull the fuel filter off and fill it with 50/50 No. 1 diesel and PS 911. It should fire up. I would then top off the tank with No.1 diesel as well. You should be fine. I had the same thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago and it worked fine. No need to change the filters unless they are due.

Which filter? I only have #2 on hand but it's a winter blend. What was in the tank was some summer and some winter. I think that's where the issue started.

 

[Gizmo2]

My issues sure sound like yours. Did you just clean off the sep filter and replace the canister filter or replace both?

Matt

Neither. I like you had no spares. Had to clean twice. Never changed the filter until spring.
I now use Power Service Products. You may want to read this...Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economyPower Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boos
Especially the section "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) Fuel"

 

[pogobill]

I got caught in the arctic one winter and my fuel gelled. All I could get at the time was kerosene. Thinned the fuel out fine and allowed me to burn off the summer fuel and make room for winter fuel.

 

[raasd]

Which filter? I only have #2 on hand but it's a winter blend. What was in the tank was some summer and some winter. I think that's where the issue started.

The canister filter, or you could do both. I would get some #1 when you run back into town. Its one of those better to have it in there and not need it that not have it and get gelled kind of moments.

 

[AKfish]

Matt,

Any chance you could drag the tractor (backwards) into the garage? You'll still have to pull the main fuel filter and dilute the heavier fuel with either PS or No. 1 diesel before driving the tractor back outside (unless it's warmed up above 20F).

I reused my fuel filter after warming it up and diluting the #2 diesel with 911.

The water separator can just be emptied out and put back on.

AKfish