Oil & Fuel Fuel System Heater ????

[Mark_in_NH]

As many of us have discovered this winter, the cold weather can make it quite difficult to start our diesel engines.
The thing thats seems to make the differance for me is to get the fuel system (componants) warm enough so that the fuel will properly ignite. I know that we have the glow plugs to at least "in part", perform this task. But in the extreme cold that the North East has recently experienced the glow plugs just aren't enough.
Is there such a device as an Auxiliary heater for the fuel system ? Something similar to block heater or some kind of an "inline " device?
Now that I know that I have to warm the Be Jesus !! out of my tractor to get it started in this extreme cold. I have taken to setting my 65,000 BTU salamander on a upside down garbage can, aimed in at the engine to get things warmed up enough. And thats with the block heater having had plenty of hours to help warm things up. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
For the few times ( I hope ) a year that I will need to go to this effort, maybe I sould just stick too the salamander. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Any Thoughts ??

 

[Egon]

The block heater should be enough to get it started. The extreme cold you mention is not that extreme in other places.

Just for interest; the diesel in my truck has a fuel preheater that works off the battery. At colder temperatures it will be activated during the start cycle.

Egon

 

[OhioTC18]

Now this is just an idea.....but it may prove to be of some benefit or start someone else thinking along another line.

How about wrapping the fuel lines/filter with a self-regulating heat tape for water lines?? Some of them can be cut to length, put the ends on it and plug it in. Could be zip tied to the fuel lines and at least keep them a little warmer.

Like I said......just an idea /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The extreme cold you mention is not that extreme in other places. )</font>

Good point. But still, my block heater does warm things up, but apparently (for me ) not enough /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Like I said......just an idea )</font>

And a good one at that, well worth further thought and discussion

 

[RalphVa]

Sounds like you need to warm up your fuel filter. I'd think a light bulb, particularly one in a trouble light type reflector, placed/wired next to the fuel filter would do the trick. This, combined with a block heater (on the cooling system water) should start your diesel. I've started an old Benz with about 160-180k miles on it with a heater hose heater at -22 in Vermont. Then it stalled a couple times on me down the road a bit when the fuel gelled in the fuel filter. Kept going after sitting a minute or so after the second stalling, as the fuel filter is right on the engine block on Benzes, where it ought to be (not on the firewall where some silly other makes put them).

The other trick that Vermonters have used is to put 1/3 to 1/2 kerosene in the diesel to keep it from gelling.

Ralph

 

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue"> Is there such a device as an Auxiliary heater for the fuel system ? </font>

Yes, it's called a heated pole barn. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Actually all kidding aside if you are having cold weather starting problems your cheapest fix will be the block heater. Put it on a timer, plug it in and forgetaboutit. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[44trxfun]

Well out of paranoia last week prior to our really cold weather at the suggestion of TBN members I started using PowerService. I got a trickle charger. During the really cold weather, I went out every 3-4 hours and started the MF GC2300--let it run for 10-15 minutes (hey I was desperate in case I really did need it to clear snow). I hooked up the charger and used a 100-watt trouble light beneath the oil pan to hold it for the next interval. It always started, but my sleep took a beating!

Tomorrow, the dealer's picking up my tractor, installing a block heater and bringing it back tomorrow afternoon. They're not charging for pickup & delivery! I'm hoping this is the end of sleepless nights...

Good luck to you!

 

[snowbound]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know that we have the glow plugs to at least "in part", perform this task. But in the extreme cold that the North East has recently experienced the glow plugs just aren't enough.)</font>

We have the same model tractor; (TC-35D). It's not as cold here as it is there, but I've started mine at -10F with not problem. I have no block heater or anything else - just the stock glow plugs.

Since you have a block heater, I would expect that your engine was warmer than mine was at -10F when I started mine.

So I agree that it is probably the fuel. My dealer suggested that if I had any problems to add a gallon of kerosene to the tank. I haven't had any problems but since you're having them maybe you should try it.

 

[snowbound]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( your cheapest fix will be the block heater.)</font>

Really cheap I'll grant you because he already has one and still has trouble starting.

 

[rambler]

You just need the right additives in your fuel, anti-gel or enough mix of #1, or even straight #1, to make it flow. Your problem is NOT that the fuel is too cold to ignite, the pump pressurizes it quite enough to make it warm. Your problem is the fuel is too thick to get from the tank through the filter to the pump - no flow. Once your tractor runs for a while, diesels recurculate fuel so your fuel should slightly warm as it flows around.

Any kind of heater around a fuel tank makes me kinda nervious. Here in Minnesota on my farm & the one's around me, we frequently operate at ten below F, as cold as 20-30 below a few times. In northern MN & farms in Canada it's common to operate at 20-40 below F. There should be no need to heat your fuel if you have planned properly & have strong enough additives/ #1 fuel.

This is like anti-freeze in your cooling system. You can't wait until it freezes up to deal with it - plan ahead, get the fuel right. No need to fool around with extra heaters or fuel temeratute.

Just the block heater for the engine. In a shed really helps. Winter oil. clean fuel filter, & #1/ additives to keep it flowing at your temp.

--->Paul

 

[Mark_in_NH]

The fuel I use is directly from the Irving pump so I know it has some winter additive in it plus I have added some of my own. The tractor does sit for several days at a time un-used and un-run.
Maybe, as has been mentioned, I need to thin the fuel further by cutting it with kerosene.

 

[johnday]

Mark, I've been running diesels for many years, and only twice I've had a problem in frigid temps. Once because I expected 5 yearold batterys to work like work like new ones, and more recently when I got a load of nonwinterized fuel in one of the trucks. Since then I make sure that I add an antigel fuel treatment everytime I refuel in the winter regardless of temp at the time. I'm in Michigan, and you'd be surprised of the temp swings we can get.
Between using a block heater and treated fuel you really shouldn't be having any big problems. By the way, go to a truck stop like T/A or the like and get the fuel additive, it will be a whole cheaper than at a gas/fuel station.
Finally, NEVER put anything but the correct fuel in your tank, and NEVER use ether. We all hear how the big truck drivers supposedly mix a few gallons of gasoline or kerosene in thier tanks, but just talk to one of them at the local truckstop and you'll find thats just another urban legend, at least with the modern diesels. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Lazy]

Hi
When it’s too cold for the tractor to start then its too cold for me to be outside. So for its never happened they always start I guess it don't get that cold here in Missoureee

Charlie

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Once or if, a gelled fuel is warmed sufficiantly. Do the wax crystals brake back down so they will pass through the filter etc. ?
I am also wondering what harm, if any, this apparent gelling problem may have done to my filter. As in maybe some clogging and premature failure.
When I started the tractor this morning to take off the trash masher and re-install the plow. I noticed that the fuel level was near 3/8, so I dumped in approx. 12oz. of a NAPA additive and then poured in a fresh 5 gls. of fresh diesel.
The tractor was run (I think) long enough to have worked some of the now "well treated tank of diesel" into the filter and fuel system. The tractor ran like a champ all day.
I guess only time and more cold weather will tell if any problem has been cured.

 

[tawilson]

You said the fuel level was near 3/8. I fill my tank up after running to prevent condensation. I wonder if you may have some water in your tank or fuel lines and that's what you've got to thaw up before it will run. My 2120 has started in -20F so far with just a block heater.

 

[RalphVa]

Wax becomes oil once it melts. I doubt its gelling on the filter will affect the filter. The pump doing the pumping to the filter is likely a low pressure one that pumps into a high pressure one that sends fuel to the injectors. The low pressure pump likely won't be able to put up enough pressure to collapse the filter.

Ralph

 

[Hambone]

I have worked on lots of diesel trucks that have jelled. First thing is change fuel filter. It doesn't take much to clog one up. It is much easier to prevent than it is to cure a diesel that is jelled up.
They do have fuel heaters on trucks that run off coolant hoses from the engine. Of course they don't do anything if you can't get it started.

 

[rmonio]

After having troubles not starting when we got hit by the cold snap, I've now focused on keeping my block and hydraulic heaters plugged in on those really cold nights when I think I'm going to need the tractor in the morning. I'm also dumping a can of SeaFoam in with #1 fuel so I prevent any gelling... all of this seems to do the trick really well for me.

I take it that the folks out East don't like the cold? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Take care and stay warm out there!

-Bob