Fuel Heating for Jelling Fuel oil

[Dr Dirt]

Hey, I am a brand new member! I also recently moved from a coastal area to a higher and much colder area and for the first time since I owned my 2005 New Holland 24 HP small compact tractor I have a major jelling problem. I just spent about an hour with a heat gun trying to warm the fuel from the filter ro the injector pump and fuel lines to no avail. The bleed screw on the pump is dry. The only question is " does NH have a fuel heating add on"? A block heater probably would not provide enough BTUs to warm the fuel lines. If there is a fuel tank heater that would work. Maybe one of the members has solved this issue. Thanks! Dan

 

[tessiers]

product called diesel 911. Its a fuel additive. Red can will "thaw" gelled lines and filters, white can keeps fuel from gelling in the first place. I keep a couple of each on hand at all times. If you buy your fuel in the winter time it should be already treated, at least here in Maine it is. If you buy it in the summer and try to use it in the winter, it gets you every time. I do it at least once a year.

 

[JJZ 109]

I always add some 911 and some algaecide to the tank in the Bobcat before winter arrives because it mostly sits in a cold steel building until called upon for snow removal. Same for my 7.3 Ford bucket truck because it's out of service all winter and sits outside. I go out once a month, plug it in for an hour or two and it's taken off every time. I've always used Power Service year round in both, though I've been changing over to Howe's after several recommendations here.
Some guys swear by the stuff and other guys will tell you that they never put a thing except diesel in their tank. All I know is that I've had no problems and no freeze ups, so I'll stick with my routine.

 

[Dr Dirt]

Thanks for the replies! I already have 911 in the fuel! I am wondering if there might be a vacuum in the fuel tank? I noticed a small line running out of the top of the fuel filter housing. Right now it is blowing wildly with a Noreaster so I will wait till the wind dies down a little. We just got 36'' of snow with drifts over six feet! The engine ran for about 10 minutes and starved for fuel.

 

[Dr Dirt]

Thanks Todd! I cannot get the fuel to flow out of the bleed screw in the timing pump. Maybe there is a vacuum issue with the fuel cap or other vent that may be blocked. I am going to take a clean rag and an air gun and lightly pressurize the tank to see if any fuel flows. But I am going to wait for this storm to slow down a bit!!!

 

[JJZ 109]

Thanks Todd! I cannot get the fuel to flow out of the bleed screw in the timing pump. Maybe there is a vacuum issue with the fuel cap or other vent that may be blocked. I am going to take a clean rag and an air gun and lightly pressurize the tank to see if any fuel flows. But I am going to wait for this storm to slow down a bit!!!

I'm wondering if any of the guys in the New Holland forum would have any info for you? I'm kind of leaning toward a blocked vent someplace like you. Will it stay running with the fuel cap removed? Not really a diesel mechanic other than the basic maintenance stuff, just throwing some ideas out there.

 

[Dr Dirt]

Hi Todd, I didn't try it with a loosened cap. yet. I am going to "brave the elements" in a few and try again. If I can get the fuel just to flow into the pump it should fire up.

 

[Don87]

If the filter gelled up, you will need some of the 911 in there, or remove it and put it in a warm place for a while. Or replace it if you have a spare.

 

[Dr Dirt]

If the filter gelled up, you will need some of the 911 in there, or remove it and put it in a warm place for a while. Or replace it if you have a spare.

I do have a spare filter and I should just R&R ,,,, just a few questions on 911, is too much a bad thing? The fuel tank on this compact tractor is just about 6 gallons.

 

[RFB]

Only use enough to get the tractor running and keep running. It has alcohol to absorb water into solution, but it does not have any lubricity to speak of.

Power Service White Bottle adds lubricity and lowers the pour point. If you can siphon (try 1" clear vinyl hose) the tank to get most of the gelled out, then put fresh warm (room temp) diesel with a double dose of PS White bottle in the fresh fuel, and a single serving of Power Service 911 Red Bottle. R&R to a clean filter, and put fresh fuel in it with 911 added to it. Build a tarp tent around that part of the tractor and blow dryer/heat gun/salamander heat the fuel system.