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

 

[Red Horse]

Your fuel has hit the cloud point (point at which wax crystals form) Additives typicaly don't work ONCE THE FUEL HAS HIT THE CLOUD POINT. The best thing to do is add No.1 (kero) if you can find it. As you did get it running, I would assume you were pulling wax and eventually you clogged the fuel filter. I would try changing the filter.

Again, best bet is kero-at least 30%. Also where do you tuypically buy your diesel? Do they claim its a winter blend?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I went back out and changed the fuel filter, I filled it with 50% 911 and 50%#2 clean usld. I then pulled the sep filter and the fuel in it looked fine. The filter in it looks strange to me in that the filter membrane looks like it's wax. I've never changed or pulled it before so I'm not 100% sure what is should look like. In any event I filled that with 50/50 911 & #2. I had to enlist the help of my wife and Duramax to tow it out of the way. Since I had no way to lift the loader I used the bucket hooks and chained them to my pintle hitch.
I then asked my wife to drive the truck slowly forward.

It was a cheek pinching experiance to say the least but I got it moved and didn't break anything. I've got the battery on the charger so I'll have to wait till tomorrow to see if the 911 and filter change worked. I think I'm going to change the sep filter anyways since I figure it's due. I never knew there was a filter in there so I guess I need to re-read my manual.

This has been one of those days where I asked myself over and over WTF:mur: was I thinking. I'll report back when I get an answer.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

If you can avoid dumping de-icers in then I suggest you do so. Best is to get it to a warm location and then add a couple gallons of #1 diesel to the tank and run a bit to purge/blend it. K1 also OK.

I run additives year round from FPPF and never cut my fuel. My fuel barrel is outside and almost always pumps. If it hits -20f it may not go, but that is only for a short time and then things warm up again.

FPPF meltdown will also reliquify gelled/waxedfuels, but again best is to treat the fuel before this happens.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

My tank was almost full and no kero near by. I think I'm going to pickup 1 gallon of K1 tomorrow and add to the tank as soon as there's room. I just hope I can get it running again soon. I'm betting with the mild weather we've been having they haven't been making true winter blends. I've not had any issues with my truck(knock on wood). But I'm pretty sure I had half a tank of summer fuel when I added the last batch.

Matt

 

[sunnyside360]

I've got the battery on the charger so I'll have to wait till tomorrow to see if the 911 and filter change worked. I think I'm going to change the sep filter anyways since I figure it's due. I never knew there was a filter in there so I guess I need to re-read my manual.

This has been one of those days where I asked myself over and over WTF:mur: was I thinking. I'll report back when I get an answer.

I'd be awfully surprised if the engine doesn't start tomorrow and run well. Besides doing what you have done, the temperatures in the Northeast will be a fair bit higher. I haven't had any issues since using Power Service over 30 yrs ago after having a similar experience. I use it year around in all four of my diesel engines.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I used to use PS in my truck but read some negative stuff about it and looked for an alternative product. I never found anything else forsale locally. But today the first store I went to had Howe's by the gallon. And ironically it's the closeest place to my house. I usually avoid going there though as the counter guys are tool bags.

I guess I can just buy that there and deal with the counter guys.I'm hoping it fires right up tomorrow. Reflecting, I kind of glad this happen today rather when I really need it(like a snow storm). Atleast I'll be prepared next time.

Do you guy's think if the fuel pump went out it would've thrown a code? I'm thinking it would.

Matt

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I used to use PS in my truck.

Do you guy's think if the fuel pump went out it would've thrown a code? I'm thinking it would.

The only place I'll pour Power Service is in my drain oil bin. This is one of those brands that I won't use like Fram, Sylvania, Victor etc. unless there is no choice. FPPF Total Power is my first choice. Stanadyne Performance Formula second. Primrose is also good.

As for setting a code, the 3000-20's are about as anlog as you can get. The electronics are for hydro control etc and not engine control.

 

[sunnyside360]

The only place I'll pour Power Service is in my drain oil bin. This is one of those brands that I won't use...........

Could you elaborate, eg, science and/or experience with PS?

 

[greg_g]

This is one of those brands that I won't use like Fram, Sylvania, Victor etc.

Yeah, but unfortunately the availability of anything around here - of anything other than PS or Howes - is pretty poor.

So I use PS in both my on-road and off-road diesels out of availability, not out of choice. But I understand how/why heavy equipment operators and long haul guys want the best. My tractors on the other hand only put on maybe 100 or so hours a year each, and my vehicles seldom see 1000 miles a month. Plus, the single gelling occasion I mentioned above during an unanticipated early cold snap - to fuel that was probably wet in the first place. It was so early in the season, I hadn't yet switched from the silver jug PS to the white winter jug.

All I'm trying to say is that - for the reasons that I need it - PS works just fine.

//greg//

 

[sunnyside360]

Do you guy's think if the fuel pump went out it would've thrown a code? I'm thinking it would.

Matt

The error code table in the Owners Manual doesn't show any codes for the fuel pump.