Gelled fuel

[MarkB_MI]

It was 0F yesterday morning at our place. I had plugged in the block heater on my Chevy Duramax the night before and it started right up. I headed into town and made it about five miles when my truck lost power. I managed to pull into a parking lot and called my wife. We went to the auto parts store and picked up some Power Service 911. I poured about half a bottle into the fuel tank, but that had no effect. We went back to the house where I picked up my ratchet and 36 mm socket to pull the fuel filter. I dumped some 911 into the fuel filter housing and it seemed to run OK. I drove back home; it quit on me three times but by the time I got home it was OK. The truck ran fine the rest of the day.

I remember that when I fueled up the day before, the pump at my favorite Shell station was running slow. I should have known to dump some treatment into the fuel, or maybe fuel up at a different station. I wasn't the only with bad fuel yesterday: AutoZone was sold out of diesel treatment, they told me I was the fourth guy to come in with gelled fuel that morning. This is the first time I've had fuel gelling since I bought the truck new in 2019. I assumed the filter has a heater, but now I'm not so sure.

In the future, once the temperature gets below 10F I'll dump in some treatment.

 

[TerryfromSWIowa]

I use treatment if it looks like 20 or lower. Fuel treat is also a lubricant for fuel pumps and adds cetane. Also helps clean injectors.

 

[Part Time Pete]

I treat my fuel with Howes year round and try not to run my old 2000 power stroke when it get's real cold, but I assumed the newer trucks had fuel line and filter heaters. Back in the day my 6.9 had a spin on filter, so I put a wrap around heater on that

 

[Geo-TH,In]

It was 0F yesterday morning at our place. I had plugged in the block heater on my Chevy Duramax the night before and it started right up. I headed into town and made it about five miles when my truck lost power. I managed to pull into a parking lot and called my wife. We went to the auto parts store and picked up some Power Service 911. I poured about half a bottle into the fuel tank, but that had no effect. We went back to the house where I picked up my ratchet and 36 mm socket to pull the fuel filter. I dumped some 911 into the fuel filter housing and it seemed to run OK. I drove back home; it quit on me three times but by the time I got home it was OK. The truck ran fine the rest of the day.

I remember that when I fueled up the day before, the pump at my favorite Shell station was running slow. I should have known to dump some treatment into the fuel, or maybe fuel up at a different station. I wasn't the only with bad fuel yesterday: AutoZone was sold out of diesel treatment, they told me I was the fourth guy to come in with gelled fuel that morning. This is the first time I've had fuel gelling since I bought the truck new in 2019. I assumed the filter has a heater, but now I'm not so sure.

In the future, once the temperature gets below 10F I'll dump in some treatment.

Mark,
Why are you not in the Sunshine state?
Oh, it's cold there too.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

It was 0F yesterday morning at our place. I had plugged in the block heater on my Chevy Duramax the night before and it started right up. I headed into town and made it about five miles when my truck lost power. I managed to pull into a parking lot and called my wife. We went to the auto parts store and picked up some Power Service 911. I poured about half a bottle into the fuel tank, but that had no effect. We went back to the house where I picked up my ratchet and 36 mm socket to pull the fuel filter. I dumped some 911 into the fuel filter housing and it seemed to run OK. I drove back home; it quit on me three times but by the time I got home it was OK. The truck ran fine the rest of the day.

I remember that when I fueled up the day before, the pump at my favorite Shell station was running slow. I should have known to dump some treatment into the fuel, or maybe fuel up at a different station. I wasn't the only with bad fuel yesterday: AutoZone was sold out of diesel treatment, they told me I was the fourth guy to come in with gelled fuel that morning. This is the first time I've had fuel gelling since I bought the truck new in 2019. I assumed the filter has a heater, but now I'm not so sure.

In the future, once the temperature gets below 10F I'll dump in some treatment.

My 1990 Navistar dump/grain truck is the only on road diesel vehicle I have. It is a southern, cheap truck with no amenities. But one thing it has, which was not original, is a water separator/fuel heater. I think it should be a requirement. And of all things, why would a fuel heater have been added to a truck which came from the Del/Mar/Va area? This is the only machine I have which doesn't get fueled up at home. I buy fuel at a reputable fuel dealer. Truck sets under cover, and the block heater is plugged in when the outside temperature drops below 32. Never have any trouble with it.

 

[Jim.ME]

It was 0F yesterday morning at our place. I had plugged in the block heater on my Chevy Duramax the night before and it started right up. I headed into town and made it about five miles when my truck lost power. I managed to pull into a parking lot and called my wife. We went to the auto parts store and picked up some Power Service 911. I poured about half a bottle into the fuel tank, but that had no effect. We went back to the house where I picked up my ratchet and 36 mm socket to pull the fuel filter. I dumped some 911 into the fuel filter housing and it seemed to run OK. I drove back home; it quit on me three times but by the time I got home it was OK. The truck ran fine the rest of the day.

I remember that when I fueled up the day before, the pump at my favorite Shell station was running slow. I should have known to dump some treatment into the fuel, or maybe fuel up at a different station. I wasn't the only with bad fuel yesterday: AutoZone was sold out of diesel treatment, they told me I was the fourth guy to come in with gelled fuel that morning. This is the first time I've had fuel gelling since I bought the truck new in 2019. I assumed the filter has a heater, but now I'm not so sure.

In the future, once the temperature gets below 10F I'll dump in some treatment.

If the station tanks are underground the fuel will be the temperature of the earth, not the air. If the pump was working slow it would have gotten warmer fuel and run normally. It could be the fuel setting in any pumps above ground could have had some jelled fuel (or ice crystals) in them restricting pump output.

Do you know if the fuel you bought is winter blend?

If you are going to treat your fuel waiting until the temps are 10 degrees or less is too late. Fuel can start gelling around 32 degrees, depending on the fuel blend. If you don't want to run a conditioner (Howes, Power Service white bottle, etc.) year-round, at least start using it as the directions say every time you fill up, if the temps are going to be 32 degrees or less at any point. Then give an added dose if lower temps are predicted.

 

[will-max dairy]

It was 0F yesterday morning at our place. I had plugged in the block heater on my Chevy Duramax the night before and it started right up. I headed into town and made it about five miles when my truck lost power. I managed to pull into a parking lot and called my wife. We went to the auto parts store and picked up some Power Service 911. I poured about half a bottle into the fuel tank, but that had no effect. We went back to the house where I picked up my ratchet and 36 mm socket to pull the fuel filter. I dumped some 911 into the fuel filter housing and it seemed to run OK. I drove back home; it quit on me three times but by the time I got home it was OK. The truck ran fine the rest of the day.

I remember that when I fueled up the day before, the pump at my favorite Shell station was running slow. I should have known to dump some treatment into the fuel, or maybe fuel up at a different station. I wasn't the only with bad fuel yesterday: AutoZone was sold out of diesel treatment, they told me I was the fourth guy to come in with gelled fuel that morning. This is the first time I've had fuel gelling since I bought the truck new in 2019. I assumed the filter has a heater, but now I'm not so sure.

In the future, once the temperature gets below 10F I'll dump in some treatment.

I run cetane boost/fuel conditioner from Oct 1st to April 1st (roughly...)

We should be able to trust winter mix diesel here in the northern states... but the consequences of failure... that you just put yourself through are a royal PITA.

 

[jhwis]

I use treatment if it looks like 20 or lower. Fuel treat is also a lubricant for fuel pumps and adds cetane. Also helps clean injectors.

I'm surprised it gelled at 0 degrees if it was #1. Maybe you had some water from the bottom of the pump. When in doubt put in power service.

 

[showcrop]

Many people need to have their own personal experience before they will believe. Sitting in the cold cab of a non-running truck for 45 minutes at ten degrees waiting for the tow made a few of my drivers believe in taking the time to add the treatment.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Mark,
Why are you not in the Sunshine state?
Oh, it's cold there too.

Why are you not in the Sunshine state?

We're heading down there in about a week; hopefully it will be thawed out by then. My BIL is freezing in Daytona. He rents out his condo and lives in his travel trailer during the winter. He hates to buy propane!

Have you started on the Dock Project?

 

[MarkB_MI]

If the station tanks are underground the fuel will be the temperature of the earth, not the air. If the pump was working slow it would have gotten warmer fuel and run normally. It could be the fuel setting in any pumps above ground could have had some jelled fuel (or ice crystals) in them restricting pump output.

Do you know if the fuel you bought is winter blend?

If you are going to treat your fuel waiting until the temps are 10 degrees or less is too late. Fuel can start gelling around 32 degrees, depending on the fuel blend. If you don't want to run a conditioner (Howes, Power Service white bottle, etc.) year-round, at least start using it as the directions say every time you fill up, if the temps are going to be 32 degrees or less at any point. Then give an added dose if lower temps are predicted.

If the station tanks are underground the fuel will be the temperature of the earth, not the air.

Good point. The slow pump might have been unrelated to my truck quitting.

Do you know if the fuel you bought is winter blend?

Well, it should have been. It's a small station, but they sell more diesel than anybody else due to their low price.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Many people need to have their own personal experience before they will believe. Sitting in the cold cab of a non-running truck for 45 minutes at ten degrees waiting for the tow made a few of my drivers believe in taking the time to add the treatment.

Sitting in the cold cab of a non-running truck for 45 minutes at ten degrees waiting for the tow made a few of my drivers believe in taking the time to add the treatment.

After crawling in the snow under my truck to pull the fuel filter and getting drenched with diesel fuel, I'm now a believer, too.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

We're heading down there in about a week; hopefully it will be thawed out by then. My BIL is freezing in Daytona. He rents out his condo and lives in his travel trailer during the winter. He hates to buy propane!

Have you started on the Dock Project?

Planning on going fishing in the AM and working on the Dock in the PM.
In a week, Florida's temps will be in the 70 and 50 at night, then If all the stars line up be heading south.
Feb 12 will be a full moon. Some say crappie spawn during a full moon and the crappie fishing is the best if you can find where they are spawning.

I ordered chest high waders, Hope the water temp isn't too cold. Going to use 3 inch SS deck screws and CCA lumber.
Got a bag of tools already packed up.

My worst day fishing in the winter beats my best day pushing snow in Indiana.

 

[cjunrau]

It was 0F yesterday morning at our place. I had plugged in the block heater on my Chevy Duramax the night before and it started right up. I headed into town and made it about five miles when my truck lost power. I managed to pull into a parking lot and called my wife. We went to the auto parts store and picked up some Power Service 911. I poured about half a bottle into the fuel tank, but that had no effect. We went back to the house where I picked up my ratchet and 36 mm socket to pull the fuel filter. I dumped some 911 into the fuel filter housing and it seemed to run OK. I drove back home; it quit on me three times but by the time I got home it was OK. The truck ran fine the rest of the day.

I remember that when I fueled up the day before, the pump at my favorite Shell station was running slow. I should have known to dump some treatment into the fuel, or maybe fuel up at a different station. I wasn't the only with bad fuel yesterday: AutoZone was sold out of diesel treatment, they told me I was the fourth guy to come in with gelled fuel that morning. This is the first time I've had fuel gelling since I bought the truck new in 2019. I assumed the filter has a heater, but now I'm not so sure.

In the future, once the temperature gets below 10F I'll dump in some treatment.

sounds like the fuel station was pumping poor fuel and should be responsible for the 911 treatments. Around here if the temp drops and the stations have not got the correct fuel blend they will pay all costs because of them. If they get water in the tank they even payed for repairs to vehicles affected.

 

[hoosier.hz]

I am thinking that the 911 allowed you to get home, and that it would not run fine after that until the additive had completely circulated. That seems to maker everything else to add up, to me anyway.

I could be all wet.

 

[JOCCO]

sounds like the fuel station was pumping poor fuel and should be responsible for the 911 treatments. Around here if the temp drops and the stations have not got the correct fuel blend they will pay all costs because of them. If they get water in the tank they even payed for repairs to vehicles affected.

good luck on that around me (it's never their fault) Kind of like a bad battery (oh your charging system must be faulty, or starter is weak)!

 

[SkipperII]

good luck on that around me (it's never their fault) Kind of like a bad battery (oh your charging system must be faulty, or starter is weak)!

Actually, the station never puts in the additive. It is usually blended at the refinery supply point, or by the bulk distributor, as they fill their trucks.. The distributor we used at the power company, began adding treatment to our deliveries in late October, to make sure we were covered.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Many people need to have their own personal experience before they will believe. Sitting in the cold cab of a non-running truck for 45 minutes at ten degrees waiting for the tow made a few of my drivers believe in taking the time to add the treatment.

As it is with many things in life, including eating Tide Pods.

 

[DoubleO7]

I ordered chest high waders, Hope the water temp isn't too cold. Going to use 3 inch SS deck screws and CCA lumber.
Got a bag of tools already packed up.

Don't forget you insulated undies and insulated coveralls. That cold water will get ya even if in the waders!

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Don't forget you insulated undies and insulated coveralls. That cold water will get ya even if in the waders!

I'm well aware of the side effects of Old men cold syndrome, male shrinkage.
Hard to get the horse out of the barn door. I put a halter on my horse to pull him out the door. Prevents accidents.
I ordered bigger waders.
I don't plan to do all the work at once and have someone on the deck to help getting tools and supplies.