What happens when the fuel gels? It has never happend to me before and it is supposed to be 17 below tomorrow night. I guess I am wondering what to look for and how to fix it I always run ps in the fuel to help prevent it.

 

when fuel gels it turns to sort of a soft wax. sort of the same way a candle is solid at room temp but liquid where its warm enough. it doesn't change the composition of the fuel. when it warms up its diesel again. if its that cold a double dose of ps (i'm guessing you mean "diesel power service"?) should keep things nice and non gelled. I put in 16-20 oz with every tank even in the summer. if it does gel, warm it up. ahhh the fun of compression ignition engines!!

 

Mine's gelled a couple of time living here in Tennessee. When it does gel, replace the fuel filter. That's where most of the gel will be.

 

if your truck is gelling up, you'll know, it'll act like its running out of fuel and sputter then die. I haven't had any luck with Powerservice myself and had it gell on me even with that at about 15 below, I run a mix of #1 and #2 diesel in the winter now.

 

So a guy should have a spare filter with just. In case

 

yeah basically thats what you should do.

if im not mistaken, the fuel can gel when the truck sitting and really cold or can gel when the wind blows through the engine compartment. i believe ive read the intention of the fuel heater is to keep the fuel from gelling when your driving and cold air is blowing on your fuel filter.

 

And a 15mm flare wrench to break loose the fuel lines to make sure your getting fuel to each cylinder. In this case, when you install your new filter, you'll probably have to bleed the lines. I usually do.

It hasn't happened to me since I started using PS, but then it only gets down to the single digits a couple of times a year then goes up in the 20s here. The guys that say that PS doesn't work for them must be in colder climates.

 

I'd actually carry a 17mm...... But you are right on with having the ability to bleed the injectors. I also carry a filter wrench to break the filter loose. Don't usually need one in the summer to change a filter but in the cold your strength ain't quite the same......

 

Typically i get so mad about the time that my fingers get numb that i then turn into Lou Ferrigno then rip the fuel filter right off.

 

11/16s works as well. I run Howes with no trouble but I do triple shot it in the real cold months. November-February. Its always a good Idea to keep a spare filter with you no matter what time of year.

 

Regardless of season or climate, it is important to ALWAYS carry spare fuel-filters and the necessary tools to change them, PLUS a jug of fuel or whatever to pre-fill the filter.

I have ran WHITE JUG Power-Service for years and have never had a gelling issue long-hauling cattle and such all over the North-East and West; I mix 1-ounce/3-gallons like it says to on the jug.

It is also important to start winter with a fresh filter, thus it will not already be about half stopped-up and will mean the difference between a slight stumble and a complete blockage.

Also, keep at least TWO bottles of the red bottle Diesel-911 in the truck.

If you should shut-down due to gelling, fill a fresh filter with the 911 and pour the rest of the two bottles in the tank.

This stuff is an immediate reaction and soon evaporates away, so it will do no good to dump it in until it is actually needed; and, like a spare-tire, it will be of no benefit when you need it if it is sitting on the shelf at Walmart or in the garage.

 

17mm, sorry. Thanks for the correction marc.

 

No worries.

 

Thanks for the info. That is what i was looking for

 

Now don't laugh fellas it does work, I kept a fleet of school busses going years ago this way. The filters were situated where the wind and the engine fan would blow on them and on very cold days the fuel would gel in the filters, I wrapped the filters with disposable diapers and wire tied them on, insulation, worked very well never had one gel in the filters again.