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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

gelled fuel?

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tyler in sd

12-09-2005 05:53:58




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Hello there,

I have a diesel pickup that has been sitting with dead batteries for a few days in zero degree weather. Now, there was plenty of antigel in it, but could it still be gelled, because when i put the new batteries in, it would just crank over; it tried to fire once, but it wouldn't again, even though i tried for a little bit. If it is gelled, where would it be (filter, lines, tank?) and how would i go about un-gelling it?

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Leland

12-10-2005 10:43:16




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
you could soak a rag in gas and hold it over intake pipe this may help it fire and try cycling your glow plugs about 10 times this is the only way my work truck would start when near 0 outside .



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Kelly Campbell

12-09-2005 17:29:13




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
Check out this link...look at the bottom for the idea with the tent



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Rich Iowa

12-09-2005 16:17:09




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
The truck I was driving at work today gelled up on me while I was on the interstate. Our mechanic brought out some anti-gel and a small propane torch. He poured the anti-gel in and pointed the torch at the fuel filter, after a couple minutes we got the truck running again. This was an International 4900, no pickup. I was lucky I was only 20 min. from our yard. I know they have additives in the fuel and the trucks are plugged in at night and running during the day, sometimes it just happens.

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Don Wadge

12-09-2005 16:16:59




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
Try pouring a good amount (2-4qts) of boiling hot water over the pump and do the same with the filter. Don't dump the water over it, just pour it so as to heat the pump and filter. I've started many a diesel this way when they were borderline to starting and sometimes when they weren't even firing a bit. Works good too, to pour boiling water over the carburetor of a gasoline tractor engine (updraft carburetor). Used to have a Farmall A the we used for choring when I was a kid. We did not run it daily so it was not kept plugged in. After about -10F it would often fire once and take it away from the starter and you could never get it to take off. My dad used to get a kettle of hot water, pour it over the carburetor and away it would go.

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Bill(Wis)

12-09-2005 13:55:55




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
A friend of mine commanded a company of Panzer tanks on the eastern front. He said they kept their engines running from November through March. Just added fuel and oil. P.S. His wife was in the German Army as well. Their daughter graduated from West Point. I'll bet she can do some serious butt kicking.



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Mel in SW Iowa

12-09-2005 13:54:15




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
Tim...OK,
My '93 1st gen Dodge CTD work truck with 270k on it started at -13 last year (barely), not plugged in. I'm not real sure it will start at -13 again. It turned over 3 times before it fired. The next day at -10, not plugged in, I started out from Des Moines on I-80, got up to 65 and it started loosing power. I eased up on it and got into the eastbound rest area, let it idle for about 30 minutes, and drove on without any more trouble.
I am certain that I have been lucky twice now, just hope it keeps up

But at 15 degrees--? Start the cold weather season with a fresh fuel filter, adjust your valves, and it should start if you have faith.
Good Luck,
Mel

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NEsota

12-09-2005 11:28:42




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
A best friend has been laughing for years about the prox. -30F morning that I took my V6 Olds diesel out to try to make some money, jumping other vehicles. A few miles from home it gelled. So back home, I picked up a hand held propane burner and gasoline vehicle. The propane would not light because it was too cold to turn to gas. After warming the propane with the car heater I had some flammable gas. Fuel tank had been topped off with #1. When flames were applied to the filter, pump and lines, my diesel was going again Maybe I should say “don’t try this at home“.

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JT

12-09-2005 08:41:52




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
Get some PowerServe911 and try that. Is the block heater plugged in?. My 2000 Ford started, slowly, not plugged in at 0 to -5, the '89 Ford turned over, would not fire a lick, plugged it last night, was -2 this morning, turned over 3-4 times, fired right up. I guess it just needed it's electric blanket plugged in. The jug of PS911 says will help get gelled fuel flowing, I don't buy it, but it is worth a try if you think it is gelled up. Normally to get flowing again will require heat to the fuel system.

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workhorse

12-09-2005 07:49:00




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
I had a bottle of napa anti-gell in my drill truck that never got added to the fuel. a couple days ago, when it was -25 grabbed it to pour in the fuel tank and it was gelled so bad it wouldn't run out of the bottle. Does it have to be mixed with fuel to work?



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Allan in NE

12-09-2005 08:00:43




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to workhorse, 12-09-2005 07:49:00  
Darnit Leonard,

Learn something new every day. I thought you well-driller types just got to take the winter months off. :>)

Allan



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workhorse

12-09-2005 10:23:06




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to Allan in NE, 12-09-2005 08:00:43  
would be nice if it worked that way. seems that this cold spell has caused people to have hard water



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Bob

12-09-2005 07:57:16




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to workhorse, 12-09-2005 07:49:00  
Well, it gets COLD here, and I have yet to see ANY anti-gell be of any use on a fuel system that is already gelled up, and it's 20 or 30 below.

If a guy is gonna buy a diesel in this cold NORTH, there should be an IQ test required that you're smart enough to have winter fuel in it BEFORE the bitter cold hits.

A couple of times, the local gas stations haven't got their winter blend in in time, and even the local school buses have gelled up. That should be CRIMINAL since there's no excuse for it. It is a matter of life and death out here. Run a trusted winter blend, or straight #1 when it's bitter cold.

I (stupidly) had an Olds 88 diesel gell up with the family along in the early 80's, and have never let it happen since.

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Jay (ND)

12-09-2005 09:20:55




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to Bob, 12-09-2005 07:57:16  
Bravo Bob!



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caseyc

12-09-2005 06:54:41




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
as others have said, that truck needs to be plugged in. if you took the proper precautions with the fuel chances are good it"s not gelled, it"s just that darn cold the truck won"t start. every morning this week has been -20 or better in my yard. my tractor and truck both are plugged in, i wouldn"t even try to start them with out it!

casey in SD



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Allan in NE

12-09-2005 06:19:59




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
Tyler,

Drag 'er in a heated shop and leave it set for 10 to 12 hours. Only way to do it without pullin' your hair out.

Allan



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Tim...Ok

12-09-2005 06:04:10




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
My Cummins won't start below 15 or so unless it's plugged in.. might just try heating it up a little if thats an option..



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Bill(Wis)

12-09-2005 06:03:08




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
If you can get a tarp over it and point a torpedo heater into where it will do the most good you should be able to heat the whole truck up including the fuel tank, lines, engine, etc. Of course if the truck is sitting outside in 40 mph winds that is easier said than done. Don't you just love this "global warming"?



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Jay (ND)

12-09-2005 05:58:39




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to tyler in sd, 12-09-2005 05:53:58  
Replace your filters - fill them with preferably #1 fuel. If not available half #2 and half antigel. The single best thing you can do to recover is to heat the vehicle up for a day. No matter what you do you need to replace your filters.



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Harley

12-09-2005 07:06:00




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to Jay (ND), 12-09-2005 05:58:39  
About 1976 I was coming across Indiana and froze up one night, and the next morning the truckstop said it would be three days before they could get to me. I called a little mom and pop place, he brought up a couple of cement blocks, set a half of a water heater cut lenghtwise on them, filled them with charcoal brickets, wrapped the truck with a tarp to keep the wind off, watched it closely, and in about 4 hours she fired. That oil in the pan gets about like tar and the thing just won't turn over fast enough to fire. Plus it's like us old guys. You get us warm on the bottom and we'll warm up all the way. Good Luck, Harley

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Charles McNelly III

12-09-2005 13:24:46




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 Re: gelled fuel? in reply to Harley, 12-09-2005 07:06:00  
And I complain about 20 degree weather down here in South Texas. I don"t see how anybody gets anything done up north. If it gets below 50 or so, my hands freeze right up. I take it ya"ll don"t have much of a growing season. Ya"ll boys must have large Families, extra time and all. :)
Stay warm and keep the motor runnin".



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