Yesterday morning it was 17 degrees out. Cummins wouldn't go, didn't crank over fast enough to light it off. Tried it a couple of time, got out the extension cord, plugged in the jacket water heater and then got the battery charger on it too. Batteries were new Aug '07. Went back in and had a cup of coffee and then another one. Came out and she fired right up, about 20 minutes of extra heat and some more fire in the batteries.
On the way home last night stopped at Gasland and filled it with fuel, took 30.40 gallons and wasn't thinking and filled with the bio fuel blend. Pulled her up close to the house where the fat extension cord reached easy and plugged the truck side in. Had to get up early, real early. Alarm went off at 0230 and the first thing, well really the second, was to plug the other end of the extension cord in. Showered and had breakfast, dressed, went out and she fired right up. Drove to the job, about 30 miles and got (2) Cat 3516's up and running. I want everyone to know that standing in the enclosure with them running with temperatures of 16 degrees was a chilling experience. Customer had them on line and running by 0700 so headed for the shop, got on the entrance ramp and she didn't have the usual power, co-worker following called and told me I was smoking bad. Started to really loose power but go tit back to the shop. Dropped the fuel filter and it was waxed real bad. Popped it out, in with a fresh new one, filled it with clean fuel and fired her up. Ran about 10 seconds and quit, would not restart or even try. Pulled the plugs on top of the fuel filter and started the electric lift pump. No Joy! Nothing, nada, zip. Sounded like it was trying to do something but nothing. Blew some air into the tank and ran the pump, still nothing. Get a new lift pump tomorrow morning and see what we get then. No idea on how many miles on that pump but it looks old so won't hurt for a new one.
Called the fuel supplier, they said I'm the only one with a problem of waxed filters. I think BS but they seem pretty nice about it, they even called me back to be sure I wasn't stuck on the side of the road, offered to send out a wrecker. Didn't offer to pay for it but did seem concerned. I'll drop the waxed filter off to them when I get it running so they can take a look, see if they can prevent this from happening to someone else.

 

I think you scared the " crap" out of all of us !!! Anytime during your story I was waiting to see mentioning your VP44 went bad, you were stranded, paying huge bills for towing etc......
It was almost like these scary movies when you know something it's going to happen, then after a while... BAM !!!!!!!! IT HAPPENS !!!!!

You just had a waxed filter....
What the heck ????


Seriously though, we appreciate you letting us know to pay attention when we fuel up.
I went on a trip to NC from MN, on the way back I fueled in OH and added a whole bottle of Howes, knowing I was going back home and temps were dropping a lot up north, I was concerned by fuel purchased south. We see many semi drivers getting gelled up here in the north. Last year I helped a Canadian with a brand new Mercedes, it took 2 hours to get it going, the sound of the motor was just like if you add a cup of bolts into the turbo inlet

 

What was the B number for that mix you bought. I find my biodiesel mixed 50/50 with dino diesel will be good down to 10 F without jelling.

 

It was B85. 85% diesel and 15% bio.

Set the waxed filter in the bed. It warmed into the 30's,wax was still there. Fuel supplier came and got it today, will see what they have to say next week. If its anything interesting, I'll post it here. Yesterday they started out sayig I should garage my truck, ran up the BS flag on him right away.

Slipped in a new lift pump this afternoon, she started and ran. Made me happy. Must have been a sight, fat old man laying on top the engine to get to the lift pump. Looked easier going that way than dropping the starter to get to it. New lift pump was $175.00 from NAPA, think I get a discount of some kind.

 

Aren't those numbers reversed? Isn't B85 85% bio and 15% dino? I know that E85 (ethanol) is 85% ethanol and 15% regular gasoline.

 

B85 is 85% bio 15% diesel

 

Yup B85. Hey I get things backwards all the time so this ain't a first.

Stopped at NAPA on the way home from the doctor and got a new lift pump. Boy Howdy did they find a good place to put it, can't hardly see it, much less get tools to it. Wouldn't be bad if that master cylinder and anti lock brake lines weren't in the way. Took me about 20 minutes and it was back to running again.

Took the old pump apart, couldn't find anything out of the ordinary/broke, bent,missing. Oh well, its in the dumpster now. $200.00 for the new one.

 

Glad it's running but for future, if you remove the filter housing there is plenty of room to change an engine mounted LP, 2 or 3 bolts is all.

 

My friend's '02 lift pump looked great when I took it apart, but it would not pump any fluid when re-assembled. I had another look at it and was still baffled. When I shook the pump, it sounded like an empty paint can with the check ball rattling around. Stock LPs are crap regardless of the price.