Diesel operation problem at low temps

[Gordon Maney]

My truck started fine this morning, plugged in, at –24 degrees F. It idled fine, but then as I took off down the street it, it ran well, was accelerating, and then it dropped out and would not to over about 10 mph. I limped around the block a few times to see if it would come out of it and it did not.

I have been putting in what, according to the directions on the bottle, would be more than enough fuel conditioner.

I got some of the diesel 911, put it in, and then it was fine. I ran it 70 mph on the highway with no trouble. Then, after work today, it did it again, but not quite as bad. I added nothing, and the truck just came out of it. That makes no sense to me, as it has plenty of anti-gel now.

The fuel filter was replaced not too long ago. I have never, in the 125,000 miles I have driven it, had any issue with fuel quality or filters, so I don't think it is that.

[iranch]

fuel gelling

I'm no expert, but I've been using diesels in the winter for 45 years and can tell you that you never know for sure if you are safe or not.

Wind direction, underhood temps, ect. all play a role. The one thing I have noticed is that the fuel quality this winter is really bad. I don't know if the dropping prices are causing less care being taken in the transport and storage or if it starts at the refinery.

If it were me I would get a new filter on the truck, the old on will never be the same. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge on the truck, your lift pump could be getting weak also, wouldn't hurt to know for sure.

Cheer up, we are almost to the turn around date when the average temp starts going up. It's supposed to be 20 degrees tomorrow, only 50 warmer than the -29.8 I showed this morning.

Dennis

[712edf]

-24 DEGREES F...Gordon the truck was mad at you for driving her in such conditions...Seriously I think it is something with the fuel itself. I'm not up on the anti-gel stuff or if they might separate/settle/lose effectiveness....Back in the day the only solution was to let 'er run 24/7 in those temperatures.Not sure how things go today.

[Ron in Indiana]

I'd be looking at the fuel pressure and the lift pump as you have the anti gel covered. I thought the same thing and when I put the Edge programmer on I was shocked to see my pressure so low. With the new Air Dog pump and filter I have a constant fuel pressure of at least 15 lbs. As you know we seem to have similar problems crop up at the same time with our 01's. I still wouldn't trade right now.

[Tom Petroff]

While I agree with Ron about checking fuel pressure and running a gauge to keep it monitored,
I'm not so sure about your Anti-gel being safe.
When it's this cold I've never believed you can over treat.
I always double the dose when this cold,and now that were forced to use bio-diesel blend I even add more.
In my opinion,the 10% blend sticker on the pump is bogus. These oil company's are adding as much as they can get away with to save money on Crude oil purchases.
The complaints of the quality of fuel this year are running ramped on various Internet,truck and equipment sites.
Were dealing with Extreme temperatures here.
It's possible you have a weak lift pump,I remember you having a issue before,but can't remember if they replaced your lift pump then,or gave it a clean bill of health. Don't have time now to search the thread.
So check the pressure as soon as you can,but in the mean time pour the Power Service to it.

Back in Feb.96 I left for Gomaco in Ida Grove IA. in my 6BTA powered Chevy.
It was -12 here and never got above 0 the whole trip.
When I arrived there it was -26 and stayed there a whole week I was there, never shut my truck off the entire time I was there. When I returned home I had gone through 7 gals. of Power Service.
I wasn't taking any chances,lol.
TGP

[Gordon Maney]

Your comments about blending and fuel conditioner are interesting. I have wondered if I could put in too much. And, I had not considered possible unscrupulous motives to not properly blend. I'm naive.

I was out until about 1 AM moving snow with my tractor when it slowed down and would not pull. I had moved my truck in the stall where the tractor had previously located. I went to move the truck and had no steering. Apparently we were below the flow point of the steering fluid. I struggle to believe that, but have no other explanation.

Do you ever use the Diesel 911 product they make?

[Ron in Indiana]

My power steering pump moans when it gets really cold also. I haven't tried it this morning where it's -18. Stay inside and drink hot chocolate.

[Gordon Maney]

I have no thermometer here, but according to the news sources in some places it got close to -30 degrees.

Yes, the sound level of the steering hydraulics is always a measure of cold.

I am guessing the fluid would not flow into the pump.

[Tom Petroff]

911 is used to recover from a no start condition after fuel has gelled.
It can also be used full time.
I use the standard PS Diesel supplement(white) bottle.
However they also make an "Artic Express" for full time use in colder climates.
TGP

[Gordon Maney]

I have had the truck since 2001. For years, the mix I used was 1/4 of the bottle per fill, with most fills occurring when the gauge was at about 1/8 to 1/4 tank. Then I had some trouble last winter and started putting in 1/2 bottle per fill.

A week before all of this disaster I put in an entire bottle at a fill. Yesterday I put in an entire bottle of the 911 as an attempt to solve the won't run at road speed problem. It ran well after that, and then did it for a mile or so when started later in the day, and then ran strong again.

So, I am uncertain as to what aggressive mix I will use. I am now thinking that an entire bottle at fill would be good.

What is your thought?

[Tom Petroff]

I run one bottle per tankful. When they start talking single diggits I add one more.
When it's below 0 I start thinking of another half,or more.
I may be overkill,but I have never had a problem,since I learned my lesson in the 70's,with one gelling up.
I know this product isn't cheap,but I like the piece of mind with plenty in the system.
Surely someone else from the northern climates has a opinion
Lets hear from you?
TGP

[Gordon Maney]

I run one bottle per tankful. When they start talking single diggits I add one more.
When it's below 0 I start thinking of another half,or more.
I may be overkill,but I have never had a problem,since I learned my lesson in the 70's,with one gelling up.
I know this product isn't cheap,but I like the piece of mind with plenty in the system.
Surely someone else from the northern climates has a opinion
Lets hear from you?
TGP

Thank you for the perspective on that. At nearly $8 per bottle it is not cheap, but a no start, or a failure on the way, is not cheap, either.

[Gordon Maney]

Tom, I am assuming you are meaning a pickup truck sized fuel tank?

[Tom Petroff]

Tom, I am assuming you are meaning a pickup truck sized fuel tank?

Yes mostly, MY daily driver has a 40 gal tank,
But, I do mostly the same for my K30 with 20 gal tank when out plowing all night.
I may back it off a little.
$8.00 a bottle?
I use 32oz bottles. We also buy it by the 55gal drum and refill the bottles.
TGP

[Gordon Maney]

Yes mostly, MY daily driver has a 40 gal tank,
But, I do mostly the same for my K30 with 20 gal tank when out plowing all night.
I may back it off a little.
$8.00 a bottle?
I use 32oz bottles. We also buy it by the 55gal drum and refill the bottles.
TGP

I am in the house. The bottles are outside. :-)

It is the size you see most commonly in convenience stores.