This morning it was 19 degrees. When I started the truck up, the fp gauge only went to 5, then bounced around a little never getting above 10. I turned it off and took the jeep to work. I started it up when I got home, temp was probably 68. FP went to 10, then came up to 15 where it usually sets. My question is: at what temp does diesel gel? Could that have been what caused the irratic readings? Yesterday i had normal readings.

 

What was your idle like??? usually unstable idle is a good indication of gelled fuel....

Generally speaking, #2 diesel (I assume you guys down in Texas always run #2) will begin to gel at around 0 F....

Do you use any antigel or additives???

Do you have an isolator for FP??? Could be that causing the problem or some diesel that gelled within the guage itself...

 

at 19 degrees the electronics are most likely not stable. most electronic equipment spec's at around 40 degrees. just a guess

 

Mine did same thing last couple of weeks. Seems like the cold
agravates a bad lift pump. Yesterday had no fuel pressure on start up, made an appointment with dealer this morning. Of course I had normal fuel pressure today! But failed the volume test only pumped 30 oz.s of fuel so they replaced it under the engine waranty. Also got the cold hi idle flash, they manged to charge me $80 between the reflash, shop supplies/disposal
and the Govener! Still cheaper then getting a pump myself.
Just hope they enabled the high idle.

 

My fp gauge doesn't have an isolator. The idle was alright, a little rough at start for a few sec., but it's always done that when it's below freezing. I don't use any antigel (usually not below 32 here). One of my possible ideas was that maybe some fuel might have gelled in the line or gauge because it would be more likely to gel than a tank full for fuel. My lift pump has been stable since I put the gauges in 5 months ago. It's always idled at 15, and WOT at 10.

 

You guys in Texas probably never switch from #2....I think you've probably solved the problem....likely a partial blockage in the line or guage due to fuel gelling....

 

[quote author=Dr. Evil link=board=4;threadid=23911;start=0#msg225546 date=1071719737]
You guys in Texas probably never switch from #2....I think you've probably solved the problem....likely a partial blockage in the line or guage due to fuel gelling....
[/quote]

I myself wonder about that.

The big rigs surely don't stay in Texas.
Rig fills up in Texas, then drives north.
I'm sure with the range of those dual 100 gallon tanks, he could hit Idaho before refulling. (?)
Nice and cold in Idaho, easy to gell up and be stuck on the side of the road.

I wouldn't be surprised if they had winter blend down there.

I could be wrong of course, just thinking out loud.


phox

 

That never occurred to me....good point phox...

 

When the grid heaters kick in, the resulting voltage drop will sometimes cause my fuel pressure to drop 3-4 psi.

Mechanical Isspro gauge.

 

FWIW.

I have also seen the drop due to the grid heaters that shovelhead points out.

My grid heaters seem to cycle on and off - about 15 sec on and 2 or 3 off.

But I do see the 2-3 psi (ISSPRO mechanical) drop when they are on.

Good luck

George

 

I deal with this every morning now. I started running 50/50 #1 and #2 with some PS and that seems to help. The biggest help was letting the truck warm up some before taking off in the am. Start the truck, let it idle for a bit, crack the e-brake and go get ready for work. When I come out FP is at 15 lbs from the 10-12 or worse when it first started. I feel that Rod's lfuel lines would help this alot. Shovelhead is right about the gridheaters.

Ben

 

ya...but your in Northern Minnisota and Eric is down in the great state (er... Republic) of Texas....

 

19 degrees is 19 degrees. Doesn't matter where you are at.

Ben

 

Not in texas...

 

Talked to the guys where I get my diesel, and it was #2. They said that they always have #2. I also asked about trucks that would run up to colder climates, and they said that they will either use anti-gel, or fill up again when they get to where it's really cold. Thanks for the help.