Loss of power/Stalling in the cold

   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold #21  
Fuel injection pumps may not like alcohol.

Alcohol is also hydrophilic, meaning it takes on water after it sits. So you might end up with more water in your tank!

That is why ethanol based fuels don't play well in humid environments. Along with rubbers that aren't designed for alcohol.

Also, as a side note:

If temperatures are above 30°F., add Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost (silver bottle) to clean injectors, boost power, lubricate pumps and injectors and restore lost power and fuel economy.

If temperatures are below 30°F., add Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost (white bottle) for winter operability. It prevents fuel gelling and protects against fuel-filter icing.
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold
  • Thread Starter
#22  
Why the heck would a company sell a product called diesel dry obviously for Diesel engines if it could possibly hurt a diesel engine?
I dont get it.
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold #23  
What outside air temperature are you getting this stalling ? There's been a lot of good advice posted. My opinion is that (if your problem only occurs with air temps below around 12 or 14 degrees) that you are having fuel gelling in the lines. To heck with the filter. I know you said you use a lot of anti-gel and dryer -- I agree with the other guy, stop using dryer which is just alcohol and causes other problems. In spite of using a lot of anti-gel if you are running in very cold (down near zero) air temp your fuel lines and the tank are all in a deep freeze.

Here's a sure test for you: Run 50/50 kerosene and diesel fuel (in other words half #1 and half#2) and run it long enough that you are sure the whole tank and all the lines have nothing else in them. If the problem is gone then you had gel. If that does not remove the problem then you have some other sort of issue.

By the way, I had a VW diesel once which ran for 150 miles just fine until I went into higher elevation mountains. The air temp went below 10 degrees. The car shuddered and eventually stalled. Gel. Same thing starting in northern VT when below zero. Engine heater was great. Started right up and 1/4 mile later stalled. Those long lines from tank to engine were out there in subzero temps and of course the fuel gelled. Syphoned out some fuel, replaced it with kerosene to roughly 50/50, ran fine the rest of the day & the trip.
Newer automotive diesels have heat in/along the fuel lines.
 
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   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold
  • Thread Starter
#25  
What outside air temperature are you getting this stalling ? There's been a lot of good advice posted. My opinion is that (if your problem only occurs with air temps below around 12 or 14 degrees) that you are having fuel gelling in the lines. To heck with the filter. I know you said you use a lot of anti-gel and dryer -- I agree with the other guy, stop using dryer which is just alcohol and causes other problems. In spite of using a lot of anti-gel if you are running in very cold (down near zero) air temp your fuel lines and the tank are all in a deep freeze.

Here's a sure test for you: Run 50/50 kerosene and diesel fuel (in other words half #1 and half#2) and run it long enough that you are sure the whole tank and all the lines have nothing else in them. If the problem is gone then you had gel. If that does not remove the problem then you have some other sort of issue.

By the way, I had a VW diesel once which ran for 150 miles just fine until I went into higher elevation mountains. The air temp went below 10 degrees. The car shuddered and eventually stalled. Gel. Same thing starting in northern VT when below zero. Engine heater was great. Started right up and 1/4 mile later stalled. Those long lines from tank to engine were out there in subzero temps and of course the fuel gelled. Syphoned out some fuel, replaced it with kerosene to roughly 50/50, ran fine the rest of the day & the trip.
Newer automotive diesels have heat in/along the fuel lines.

For sure it is always in the frigid temps...has not been above 10 degrees for weeks here in NH. I have moved the BX into the garage and purchased a kerosene heater to take the icy edge off before use. I also have the block heater which is great!
Used it for a few hours the othe day with no issue. The temps were in the teens and we moved firewood. I want to try the 50/50 kero/diesel mix but I am having a hard time finding someone that pumps it. I am not going to use the expensive kerosene from Tractor Supply I bought for the heater...
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold #26  
Kerosene heaters are a lot less popular now than they were a few years back but about half of our gas stations here in southern MD have a smaller kerosene pump off to the side (intending it for heaters, etc. and not for vehicles.) You'll only need 3 gallons or so to try the test. I know that heavy equipment operators with the dozers, excavators, etc. in northern New England routinely burn 50/50 kerosene and diesel fuel in very cold weather. There have to be sources not too far away.

My guess is that when you operated in the teens in the last few days you were just above the (not very precise) threshold where gel happens.
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold #27  

Do you add this filter assembly? If so where in the lines? First out of the tank, last to engine? Also Messicks shows it in stock for about $25. Also to change the filter on this unit, do you have to pitch off the fuels lines on either side? Thanks for the response and suggestion. Don't have problems, just wondering about avoiding them. Jon
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold #28  
I agree with the call for a MUCH better filter.

I do NOT use the Kubota fuel filters. The paper element just seizes up in cold temps with an eye dropper of water in the tank. Lucky as cold as it has been, I have not had but a couple 2" snows, and I'll just run over them!

I did start using the Amsoil anti-gel this year and thankfully have not had a reason to see if it works as good as the power service. Amsoil says it works better - surprise, surprise. Full report soon I expect.

I have run a pretty good bunch of equipment in my life and always found the Kerosene cure to work very well. I'm lucky that we have several stations nearby with Kerosene pumps that are fairly inexpensive.

Good luck, that is one frustrating thing to have a reasonably new piece of equipment that just sputters at you!

George
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold
  • Thread Starter
#29  
I found a station nearby that carries off road diesel and kerosene (yay!)
I was going to get a 5 gallon can of straight kerosene but the lady said they mix their off road 50/50 and its a buck cheaper per gallon...I forgot to ask what the mix was (assume it is half dyed diesel and half kerosene) but Im not sure. Ill ask when go to fill my can.
What is everyones opinion on the pre-mixed off road vs the straight kero?
 
   / Loss of power/Stalling in the cold #30  
What station price per gal, could be 50 d1, 50 d2
 

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