preventing a gell up
- Thread starter dawggone
- Start date
I have not been in a big truck in almost 10 years. But I have lived in Minnesota all my life and have operated trucks based out of here for 20 years. Ya you betcha! So my knowledge is a bit dated.
Using a fuel additive is a must. I am most familiar with PowerService fuel additive. It is readily found at most truckstops. Fleets I drove for would buy it in 55 gallon drums and it was added at every fueling, even when using blended fuel.
Fuel more often. Don't let your tanks get low. Fueling more often lessens the effects of contaminated fuel. And you don't have to worry about running out of fuel.
There are a variety of fuel heaters available. These include electric and coolant based. Some heat the fuel in the tank, others in-line and some heat the fuel filter. Do some on-line research to see what is available and what would meet your particular needs and price range.
Always carry spare fuel filter(s) and one gallon of fuel to refill new filters. Carry a filter wrench and fuel additives at all times. A leather belt will work to remove a filter in an emergency. I know because I violated the carry a filter wrench rule. I also violated the carry one gallon of fuel rule and had to punch a hole in my Stanley cup cover and insert a coat hang wire to dip fuel from my tanks. Live and learn!
Another tip is change fuel filters often. Don't push them to the limits. And buy quality filters. The "catch 22" (thank you Joseph Heller) with quality filters is the smaller (micron) size of the particles they filter, the greater susceptibility to plugging due to waxing. Technically diesel fuel waxes not gels due to parifins in its makeup.
And last but certainly not least: Be prepared for a breakdown. Warm clothes, sleeping bags and extra food are esential.
Have a safe winter!
Using a fuel additive is a must. I am most familiar with PowerService fuel additive. It is readily found at most truckstops. Fleets I drove for would buy it in 55 gallon drums and it was added at every fueling, even when using blended fuel.
Fuel more often. Don't let your tanks get low. Fueling more often lessens the effects of contaminated fuel. And you don't have to worry about running out of fuel.
There are a variety of fuel heaters available. These include electric and coolant based. Some heat the fuel in the tank, others in-line and some heat the fuel filter. Do some on-line research to see what is available and what would meet your particular needs and price range.
Always carry spare fuel filter(s) and one gallon of fuel to refill new filters. Carry a filter wrench and fuel additives at all times. A leather belt will work to remove a filter in an emergency. I know because I violated the carry a filter wrench rule. I also violated the carry one gallon of fuel rule and had to punch a hole in my Stanley cup cover and insert a coat hang wire to dip fuel from my tanks. Live and learn!
Another tip is change fuel filters often. Don't push them to the limits. And buy quality filters. The "catch 22" (thank you Joseph Heller) with quality filters is the smaller (micron) size of the particles they filter, the greater susceptibility to plugging due to waxing. Technically diesel fuel waxes not gels due to parifins in its makeup.
And last but certainly not least: Be prepared for a breakdown. Warm clothes, sleeping bags and extra food are esential.
Have a safe winter!
Last winter I used Power Service. It was the best buy. This winter Howe's is a better buy so I'm using it. If you keep the proper amount of additive in your tanks and keep your tanks pretty full all the time you should be ok unless it's WAY below zero for a long time. Good luck.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Streakn1
Veteran Expediter
Great topic! We just had our 1st gell up and it was no fun. As the others have advised Brand name additives help and extra fuel filters and a filter wrench are a must. We've used and carried both for years yet we never had a gell up in this truck. On 11/30/06 while attempting to cross Vail Pass in Colorado the nightmare began. With tanks full of fuel and treated with anti-gel we along with several other trucks gelled and shut down on the side of I-70. Temps of -12 to -17 and a headwind proved to much for tank heaters and additives to handle. This in part can be attributed to the new blend low sulphur bio diesel fuel.
It took some work, priming and cranking and lots of ether (another must carry) and changing the water/fuel separator filter to get it started. The reason we gelled was when the engine temp dropped and stayed below what is required to open the thermostat, there was no flow of hot coolant going to the tank heaters. So we had to get the engine temp back above 185 degrees and keep it there. Thats where a winter front is a must. If you dont have one as was our case, anything that will block 50-90% of the airflow through the radiator will work. We used a mover's pad (all we had) sandwiched between the radiator and grill. We ran the engine at high idle long enough to thaw the fuel in the tanks so we could continue to our destination. Had we needed a tow or mechanic the bill would have easily been $1000-$2500.
With the new diesel blend this winter they are finding that the freeze-point can be as high as 10 degrees. A good rule of thumb is whatever temp your engine runs during the summer, that is what you want to keep it at in the winter. you also need to dump the bowl on the water/fuel separator more often during the winter months. Happy winter driving and avoid the gell! Hope this helps.
It took some work, priming and cranking and lots of ether (another must carry) and changing the water/fuel separator filter to get it started. The reason we gelled was when the engine temp dropped and stayed below what is required to open the thermostat, there was no flow of hot coolant going to the tank heaters. So we had to get the engine temp back above 185 degrees and keep it there. Thats where a winter front is a must. If you dont have one as was our case, anything that will block 50-90% of the airflow through the radiator will work. We used a mover's pad (all we had) sandwiched between the radiator and grill. We ran the engine at high idle long enough to thaw the fuel in the tanks so we could continue to our destination. Had we needed a tow or mechanic the bill would have easily been $1000-$2500.
With the new diesel blend this winter they are finding that the freeze-point can be as high as 10 degrees. A good rule of thumb is whatever temp your engine runs during the summer, that is what you want to keep it at in the winter. you also need to dump the bowl on the water/fuel separator more often during the winter months. Happy winter driving and avoid the gell! Hope this helps.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
I agree with all posts. One warning, Cummins ISC DO NOT FILL THE FUEL FILTER PRIOR, all fuel MUST be filtered. The penalty is replacing those injectors!!!!
Key the ignition and it will fill the filter might take longer to start, or even stall once started but its OK. NEVER FILL THE FILTER BEFORE INSTALLING on a 04 or newer or its gona cost you over $800 per injector. This includes oil changes as well...
Key the ignition and it will fill the filter might take longer to start, or even stall once started but its OK. NEVER FILL THE FILTER BEFORE INSTALLING on a 04 or newer or its gona cost you over $800 per injector. This includes oil changes as well...