Cold no start. Frozen fuel?

[Pixguy]

Hi. GC 2410, I haven't used my tractor in a month. Stored outdoors now for the first winter, temps in 20°'s. Battery is on trickle charge and I turned block warmer on an hour ago.
She started up fine but died in 30seconds. Hmm, seems like fuel issue. Look under at fuel filter, full. Shut off fuel line and drop fuel filter and it's full of what seems clean diesel. Replaced and tried to start. She wants to but sputters out before turning over. Fuel is overflowing a full tank when key is on, never saw that before. Took off filter canister and it's empty and left off. Try starting it, hear the pump gurgling but nothing is coming out of lines at the filter.

Frozen? I placed a heater under it and seeing if lines had water and frozen.

Ideas?
Back out to shovel.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I have heard Diesel has paraffin in it and subject to issues in cold weather. Maybe you could use a hair dryer and heat the fuel lines/tank and get it working.

 

[Harry in Ky]

"Fuel is overflowing a full tank"? What does that tell you? It tells me that the fuel pump is pulling fuel out of the filter but supply from the tank is blocked. The filter empties out and nothing is coming from the tank to supply it.

 

[Dmacleo]

gelled/frozen.
diesel 911 will help along with the heat you are doing.
fuel come out of a pony tank?

edit:added /frozen to clarify. in the end wording does not matter, fuel line is blocked.

 

[oldnslo]

Is this pure diesel or bio. At 20 degrees pure diesel shouldn’t gell and since filter wasn’t gelled doubt that is the problem. Like Harry states sounds like an issue with line from tank to filter.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve had my fuel gel several years ago and that’s what is sounds like. I personally like to add kerosene when it gets cold. When mine gelled it was zero or colder out though.

 

[ruffdog]

Diesel fuel gels when temperatures fall below 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit or -12 degrees Celcius. If engine complications occur at temperatures above 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit or -12 to -9 degrees Celcius, the issue is likely due to ice rather than gel. However, gelling can occur at temperatures as high as 20 degrees Fahrenheit if the engine runs on low-quality fuel.

 

[Pixguy]

Thanks. I'm trying the heater but may put a heat gun on aswell

 

[Dmacleo]

Thanks. I'm trying the heater but may put a heat gun on aswell

serious, diesel 911. not a lot needed.

Diesel 911 - Diesel Fuel Additive

Diesel 911 is a winter emergency use product that restores the flow of diesel fuel to an engine caused by gelled fuel or frozen fuel filters.

powerservice.com

 

[Pixguy]

Ok I was able resolve with heat gun and everything is back to normal.

It looks like the tractor will spend the next two weeks in my garage til we head south. Now I have to break the news to my pickup.

Thanks to all.

 

[Dmacleo]

then you had bad fuel.
and I reiterate.
Diesel 911.
toss a few ounces in.

 

[ray66v]

As Dmacleo said, Diesel 911.

If you live where it's gets real cold, you want a bottle on hand.

Finding a better supplier for fuel, is helpful too. If you can find a good supplier, your fuel will already be treated, and you won't need the 911.

Gas station fuel is usually sketchy. Try finding out where the farmers near you get their fuel. And, ask about "premium" diesel. It's not higher octane, it's a premium product.

In the meant time, a tarp over it, with an electric heater inside may bail you out.

 

[Dmacleo]

I deal with pony tank fuel every single day of the year, which is why I asked if pony tank used earlier.
have 911 on hand year round, much cheaper than driving 20 miles 1 way to grab high turnover fuel. plus those high turnover are ALL on road so taxed.
6 miles one way (actually 2 stores 6 miles 1 way) are offroad pony tanks. few oz 911 every few gallons from December to march and I have never gelled\frozen. and my units all stored outside in Maine.

 

[DJ54]

Most diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally to prevent gelling. If you filled your tank up in late Summer, fuel may not been adjusted for winter fuel. Neighbor found that out the first winter he had his new Kubota. He did the right thing by keeping the tank full, but did not know about winter/summer blends, or additives to prevent gelling.

I advised like these guys said, add 911, and use a heat gun to warm up fuel line to pump. No problems since.

 

[Dmacleo]

yeah the seasonal thing REALLY matters when pony tanks used.
a general store owner may fill that 750 gallon pony tank 5 times a year in rural areas.
but at least you got diesel to use
you just have to know HOW to use it.

edit: also...spare filters on hand ALWAYS help...just saying. I have 3 spares on hand now after servicing few weeks ago. many tractors surrounding me use the same bowl filter.

 

[JWR]

I’ve had my fuel gel several years ago and that’s what is sounds like. I personally like to add kerosene when it gets cold. When mine gelled it was zero or colder out though.

It sounds that way ... except that diesel fuel will not gel at 20 degrees. More like 10 or 11 degrees. I too would use a mix of kerosene and diesel, #1 with #2 , as all serious heavy equipment operators do in cold climates. "Frozen" does not happen but gelling can happen...just not at 20 degrees. Some websites claim fuel gels at about 17 degrees but not in my experience. That MIGHT be because filling station fuel is completely unpredictable in "middle latitude" areas where it is sometimes cold enough to warrant mixing or additives. Cannot depend on whether the stations/suppliers have treated the fuel or not. MAYBE mine gelled at 10 deg because it was lightly "conditioned" by the fuel suppliers? A 50/50 mix of #1 and #2 will not gel until 10 below zero F or worse. So I see in post #10 above that you got it going with heat. Either it was colder than you thought (by a bunch) or else you had water somewhere in the line that freezes at a much higher temperature. Seems unlikely that you had enough water in there to stop flow when frozen. That would have given you other serious "won't work" issues with a diesel. Puzzling. Any post mortem comments?

 

[JWR]

Oh geeze! Just re-read you original description. I would bet that it was much colder than "the 20's" during the several hours before you tried to start it. That would cause the gelling to occur in your more open places like fuel lines and filters. Then after it warmed back up into the 20's it had not been "warm enough long enough" to turn the gel back to 100% free flowing liquid. Also explains how your heating up the flow path "fixed the problem."

 

[Pixguy]

Ok, to add to this.
It was in the teens a few of the past nights and mid days in the 20's.
I did start to buy diesel at a new place when I also get off road gas but it's not a pony tank but I will not buy there any longer and grab some 911.

 

[RayIN]

then you had bad fuel.
and I reiterate.
Diesel 911.
toss a few ounces in.

I agree with using 9-1-1, but;
Not "a few ounces". The label requires 1 bottle per 20G to work as engineered.
The first step is to remove filter, empty, then refill with 9-1-1. Then dose fuel tank as directed and wait for specified time before starting.

 

[hosspuller]

9-1-1 is for gelled fuel. One takes a hit on lubricity with the stuff. It's better to be prepared before the cold weather hits. I've used Howes Diesel Treatment to prevent gelling and absorb any moisture for years. A single bottle every Fall gets me through the Winter. Label says will treat 320 gallons. Your usage may require more.