What does diesel gelling look like?

[123rday]

To add to the idea of hair dryer, Diesel Service 911 (red bottle) is supposed to work if you already have gelling. Pour some in your tank and some in your fuel filter as per instructions.

 

[EdC]

Ragkar
Here is what jelled fuel looks like on a fuel filter. Glad I keep a spare filter around. Removed the fuel bowl, dumped the ice out of the bottom of the bowl, put the new filter in and put a sizeable dose of Diesel 911 in the tank.

After everything was put back together the tractor started right up, then stalled as soon as I tried to increase revs. Started up again and, other than running about 200 rpm lower than normal it has been fine. Over the course of a couple of hours of running rpms returned to normal.

 

[ragkar]

But for Diesel Service 911 (red bottle) to work, fuel must be flowing.

So gelling looks like mostly white with some red/brown color caking a lot like jell-o. The folds of the paper filter won't be visible. Red bottle Diesel Service will clear it up if the fuel is flowing. Use white bottle Diesel Service to avoid the problem.

Paraffin precipitation looks like white frost on the interior glass surface of the bowl. It can be avoided by using #1 diesel (winter blend) or adding Diesel service white bottle.
"The Cloud Point is the temperature at which paraffin, which is naturally present in #2 diesel fuel, begins to form cloudy wax crystals. When the fuel temperature reaches the cloud point, these wax crystals flowing with the fuel coat the filter element and quickly reduce the fuel flow, starving the engine. Typical cloud point temperatures range from: -18F (-28C) to +20F (-7C), but may occasionally be as high as +40F (4.4C). #1 diesel fuel (or kerosene) contains very little paraffin, and therefore has cloud and pour points near -40F (-40C)."

Water freezing will probably not be visible if it occurs in the lines or on the screens. Water condensation can be avoided by keeping the tank full of diesel.

The lucky-fix is to turn off the engine for a couple minutes and hope the engine heat will melt your problem.

 

[Egon]

Ragkar
Here is what jelled fuel looks like on a fuel filter

Ragkar; could you take another picture next July and post it?:thumbsup::laughing:

 

[20 20]

So you add water to your fuel? Willingly?? That's what comprises the remaining 10% or 30%, you know.

You can make fun all you want but using the isopropyl alcohol has saved me more then once. Years back when I was driving tractor trailer I had a diesel truck start to freeze up, I was in the middle of nowhere in the middle of night. If it weren't for the alcohol trick I'd of been stranded and possibly froze to death. I have also used it when in a bind before without ANY issue's only success! Just a few days back I mentioned the idea to someone that was having hard running issues with there diesel. Within a few minutes after adding a small amount of alcohol the machine ran fine, again no issue's. I clearly ponited out this will help if in a bind, there are better additives that should be used as a preventitive measure. I have bulk diesel and during the winter I use a diesel additive and a mix of kero. I only mentioned the use of alcohol to be used in a pinch, I'd rather be able to drive my machine then have it towed or left behind

 

[LBrown59]

In my little John Deere 2320 I do the following. It has always worked for me, maybe I'm just lucky.
1) The tractor is stored in an unheated metal pole barn,
2) Turn on the block heater for about 30 minutes when the temperature is below or close to 10F.
1*3) Buy 4 gallons of fuel at a time. This gives me the correct commercial blend for the season.
4) Add Power Service diesel fuel supplement. White container in the winter and the silver for the summer.
Good luck!

1*I don't get many days below 14 degrees so I get by with winter or summer fuel all year round.
I buy 55 gallon of off road winter or summer blend depending on what season it is when i buy fuel and use it all year round.
I quit the folly of trying to match the fuel with the season.

 

[Don87]

1*I don't get many days below 14 degrees so I get by with winter or summer fuel all year round.
I buy 55 gallon of off road winter or summer blend depending on what season it is when i buy fuel and use it all year round.
I quit the folly of trying to match the fuel with the season.

Wish I could say that, Mine was gelling this morning. And I had the correct amount of Power Service in it.(going to 'double dose' from now on)

I just applied heat(with an electric oil filled heater), and covered my baby with a blanket..........1 hour later she came to life.:thumbsup:

 

[LBrown59]

Wish I could say that,
1*Mine was gelling this morning.
And I had the correct amount of Power Service in it.
2*(going to 'double dose' from now on)

1*What was your temerature at the time.?
2*I use a full Qt. of PS in each 55 gallon drum of fuel .

Yesterday I plowed snow with summer fuel in the BX .
It was around 26degrees.
Tractor ran fine.

 

[Don87]

1*What was your temerature at the time.?
2*I use a full Qt. of PS in each 55 gallon drum of fuel .

Yesterday I plowed snow with summer fuel in the BX .
It was around 26degrees.
Tractor ran fine.

Temp was 5 below, I'm using fuel from a 5 gallon jug, with Power Service added. 2 ounces to 5 gallons.

I'm going to start doubling the power service, to see if that helps.

EDIT: I see that you are doubling the dose also.

 

[Bill 55]

If you think your fuel is gelled shine a light into the tank the first sign is little snowflake like rascals floating around. If it has progressed to a more serious stage you will have globs of snotty stuff floating around. the best approach at this time is to steal your wife's broom and appropraite some kerosene or #1 diesel (same thing) . Take the wifey's broom and stir the disgusting mess around until it starts to break up. You will hear people tell you to use gasoline, powersteering fluid, and all other sorts of stuff. The problem with these is they do not have the lubricational properties it takes to keep the pump, and Injector plungers from galling. It does not take a lot of # 1 to do the job. I have used 15 gallons of # 1 in the gallon tanks of a semi to het it running after I had replaced the fuel filter. That is vital before you do anything replace that filter. All gelling is is the parifin seperating out of the fuel and those wax crystals will NOT go through the filter and you are dead in the water.