Frozen, Gelled fuel

[mike69440]

Once gelled, does the diesel stay gelled?

I had problems with our RTV900, additive and heat and finally a warm 50F day got it running again, but the same is not true for my Komatsu excavator. I used it 2 weeks ago to buy the family dog as it had enough omph to break thru the frozen grond easier than my L39 BH. Batteries good & cranks, but will not fire when tried when 40-50 Def F outside 2 days ago. Added Howes anto gell, but did not try to start it during last weeks cold snap (-8F) This is the first time in 6 years it did not fire when cranked. I have not repalced the filter, only 500 hours on it. I hope changing the filter and filling with treated fuel does the trick.
I was suprozed the L39 and B7200 started right up.

 

[rockshaft]

I had a major gelling problem earlier this winter, even with triple treated PowerService (white bottle). I think I must have had a bad bottle of PS, because I switched to another brand and the problem is gone (after lots of frustration, change of filter, and ample use of hair-dryer). Now I'm using FPPF Polar Power.

 

[Don87]

]Once gelled, does the diesel stay gelled[/B]?

I had problems with our RTV900, additive and heat and finally a warm 50F day got it running again, but the same is not true for my Komatsu excavator. I used it 2 weeks ago to buy the family dog as it had enough omph to break thru the frozen grond easier than my L39 BH. Batteries good & cranks, but will not fire when tried when 40-50 Def F outside 2 days ago. Added Howes anto gell, but did not try to start it during last weeks cold snap (-8F) This is the first time in 6 years it did not fire when cranked. I have not repalced the filter, only 500 hours on it. I hope changing the filter and filling with treated fuel does the trick.
I was suprozed the L39 and B7200 started right up.

No, it will be ok once it gets warm enough. Even though the air temp got to 50, if the sun wasn't on the fuel supply areas it will remain gelled. You can add 'diesel 911' to the fuel filter, and the tank. it should get it running. The more biodiesel in the fuel, the quicker it will gel also. the cloud point for biodiesel is somewhere around 40 degrees, much lower and it begins gelling up.

 

[Don87]

I had a major gelling problem earlier this winter, even with triple treated PowerService (white bottle). I think I must have had a bad bottle of PS, because I switched to another brand and the problem is gone (after lots of frustration, change of filter, and ample use of hair-dryer). Now I'm using FPPF Polar Power.

View attachment 300802

That's what my filter looked like after getting fuel at one of the local places. Surprised me because he puts that same fuel in his concrete trucks.

 

[rockshaft]

That's what my filter looked like after getting fuel at one of the local places. Surprised me because he puts that same fuel in his concrete trucks.

Yeah, this was supposedly fresh winterblend from my local station, and we have more than avg diesel usage up here.

 

[Don87]

Yeah, this was supposedly fresh winterblend from my local station, and we have more than avg diesel usage up here.

I replaced my filter, but I wouldn't have needed to. I had it in my pocket, and my body heat thawed it out before I got to my dealer.........13 miles away.

 

[rockshaft]

I replaced my filter, but I wouldn't have needed to. I had it in my pocket, and my body heat thawed it out before I got to my dealer.........13 miles away.

Similar story for me. Changed filter in below zero conditions- pia, then new one was frozen same next morning.

 

[Don87]

Similar story for me. Changed filter in below zero conditions- pia, then new one was frozen same next morning.

.ouch

 

[rockshaft]

At that point i realized the triple dose of powerservice wasn't working for me :-(

 

[creekbend]

I had the fuel gel up on my 5203 Deere two days ago, it was down in the single digits though. Started it and it ran for a couple minutes, sputtered and died. Tried adding some de-icer/anti-gel additive but it didn't do anything, I think it is plugged up in the petcock at the bottom of the tank as no fuel is reaching the filter. It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow so I'll see if it will start then.

After that incident I went and got some Power Service fuel additive which prevents gelling and added it to my B3200 along with a full tank of fresh fuel. Started yesterday in single digit temps and ran fine.

Honestly, in the very cold I mostly use my old Ford NAA. Starts right up regardless of the temp and warms up quickly, cold weather operation is one thing I still do like about a gas powered tractor.

Anyone else using Power Service diesel additive?

I use it year round. The temperatures have been below 20 degrees several times. Even when I don't use the tractor, I start it once a week. I haven't had any problems. "Knock on Wood".

 

[Don87]

I use it year round. The temperatures have been below 20 degrees several times. Even when I don't use the tractor, I start it once a week. I haven't had any problems. "Knock on Wood".

Lordy..........if I saw 20, I would probably go swimming:laughing: 8 here.

 

[Don87]

At that point i realized the triple dose of powerservice wasn't working for me :-(

I saw at least 1 other post where someone said the power service let them down. So for, the only problem I had was when I didn't add enough(had a freak cold snap come in while I was out trucking), and now I add extra.

 

[Scooby074]

Maybe that was my post?

I cant say 100% that I treated the fuel that gelled with PS. Im probably 75% sure it was treated. That and it should have been "winter" grade when pumped at the station...

Current fuel is PS treated, 100% sure of that.

Honestly right now, i think its my new Racor that's keeping the tractor running and not the PS. There was 1/4" of ice/gell in the bottom of the filter ! And again this is PS "treated" fuel !! After this 5gal can is finished, im going to be going to another additive brand.

 

[kuboman]

The characteristics of biodiesel are different than the old diesel we are all use to. That being the case a lot of the conditioners we used to winterize diesel don't work on the new biodiesel. Best to shop for conditioner meant for bio-crap fuel or try and find a fuel supplier that does not blend in the winter.:2cents:

 

[Don87]

The characteristics of biodiesel are different than the old diesel we are all use to. That being the case a lot of the conditioners we used to winterize diesel don't work on the new biodiesel. Best to shop for conditioner meant for bio-crap fuel or try and find a fuel supplier that does not blend in the winter.:2cents:

I remember reading a news story several years back about a school district that decided to switch to biodiesel, until the day the entire fleet gelled up. The temps weren't all that cold(IIRC), but as you stated, Biodiesel is different.

 

[Red Horse]

For what its worth, "anti gel" additives work by changing the structure of the fuel so as the cloud point gets close (point at which wax starts to form) the molecular structure of the fuel changes-you still have wax, but it looks like small BB's instead of sharp forms that lock up. If the fuel HAS already hit the cloud point, the damage is done.

 

[ericb2400]

Ok, new here but not to new to tractors, how can I tell if the fuel in my b2400 has jelled or not. We are in central ky and had a cold snap the other day it got down to 9. Should I worry or just wait for it to worm up

 

[crazyal]

If your diesel fuel has gelled up then using PS in the white bottle will do no good. They make a red bottle called 911. You pour it into the tank as well as remove the filter and pour it into it.

 

[SPMMD]

If the bottom of the raycor had ice in it, you have 2 problems. The fuel gelling is one, which should well respond to winter antigell/ diesel fuel "heat" provided the gel hasn't clogged the diesel fuel high pressure pump. The Raycor filter bottom which has a thumb wheel drain tap is for the purpose of a fuel / water separator. Ice in the bottom suggests water in your fuel. That bottom is specifically to allow water in the fuel to separate out and should be occasionally drained off! Unfortunately, depending on the mounting location of the raycor, it will either have a tan aluminum bottom cup, or a clear plastic bottom cup. The clear plastic lets you see if water is separating out, but is not for mounting in a closed potentially very hot engine compartment! With the tan aluminum cup you should simply periodically drain into a sight glass to check for water. If its significantly below freezing however, ice freezes in the lowest place (the drain tap), and it won't drain from the separator drain wether you have the aluminum or plastic bowl!!!

 

[Scooby074]

Temp got up well above freezing and the ice liquified. I drained it into a mason jar, which I still have. Ill grab a pic.

I know there has to be a bunch of water in the tank somehow (im pretty careful with my fuel). Im going to dump what's left and start with some fresh. I also got a Racor "Mr. Funnel" to run my new fuel through because I got it at the same place as the current tank that has given problems.