ULSD clogging filters at 0-10 degrees

[jayhaitch]

2 days ago it took 3 tries to start my GC2310. I keep a Battery Minder charger/desulfator on it since this cold snap (-34C tonight), but it has no block heater and petroleum 10w30, still factory fill (13 hrs so far). Black smoke was being exhausted, but the battery just off the charger ran out of power before the engine would fire. I recharged the battery, tried again, no luck. The third time I had a 35,000 btu propane radiant heater a safe distance from the engine: started grudgingly, thick black smoke, then OK. I park in an unheated garage, so it was about -20-25C in there. I use the high ratio dose of Power Service (32oz per 50 gal, or 5ml/litre). Since I saw black smoke, am I safe to assume it was not gelled fuel, but too cold/thick oil and a new tight engine?

 

[cp1969]

Gelled fuel usually does not manifest itself in an inability to start...the engine starts, but then dies after a short time.

Too cold/thick oil.

 

[IH250]

You should get a block heater put on your tractor ASAP.Trying to start it and draining the battery 3 times is too much.Install the freeze plug type it works the best for the temps you are dealing with or you are gonna kill your tractor/battery/starter

 

[NIXON]

You should get a block heater put on your tractor ASAP.

I understand the benefits of a block heater . But would it really stop fuel from gelling in the filter(s) , or elsewhere ? My take on it is no it won't .
I think that additives , or the proper fuel for the temps encountered are the only way to prevent gelling . JMHO, John

 

[jayhaitch]

Thanks guys. That's what I thought: thick oil, high compression, smallish cold battery. Yup, a block heater will ordered ASAP. Amsoil synthetic at the 50 hr service too.

 

[BTDT]

Ora et labora.

What's that say???

 

[davemhughes]

I run a healthy dose of Howes diesel treatment and MMO in all my diesel engines and so far all fire up and run. One thing I always do every year on my stuff is change the fuel filters and oil filters just before it turns really cold and then again in the spring.

 

[Iowachild]

Ora et labora.

What's that say???

Pray and Work!

 

[ejb17]

Recently our fleet where I work had their fuel tested by an outside lab and the fuel was supplied by the refinery where Iowachild works. It was treated with Summit by Well-Worth of Buffalo NY. It was ULSD by the way. This is what they found. Cetane=47,CFPP=-19,Pour point=-34,Cloud point=-15. We have had no problems at all and we haul out of that refinery and it was -2 this morning not including the wind chill 5 miles North of Warren PA. There are some additives that can harm the effects when you over treat so be careful. Sounds like the schools got caught.

 

[BTDT]

Pray and Work!

Thanks, and I agree.