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Can someone explain what exactly happens when diesel fuel gels up

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by A Bug, Jan 2, 2019.

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Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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Lepton1 said: ↑

Again, I will reiterate, I have yet to spin off a fuel filter, open it up, and see the strawberry sherbert or caking paraffins of gelling fuel. It's always been ice clogging the filter.

Antigel works to prevent fuel gelling. I have started to use fuel additives that break down water and fuel, to mix the water back into fuel. I will report back later how this winter turns out, so far two instances of water (whether freezing or not) causing me to do a PM or swap out the first fuel filter.

@not4hire if I recall correctly, you have some experience with this issue and I would value your advice on this thread.
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Isn't that wat the separator is for? And I can vouch for my separator filter being caked in wax at -17.

Tb0n3, Jan 2, 2019

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SteveScott Road Train Member

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Glad I just run the I-5 on the west coast in the winter and don't have to deal with this crap.

SteveScott, Jan 2, 2019

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gekko1323 Road Train Member

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Lepton1 said: ↑

Great thread. This is something I deal with frequently every winter. In EVERY case it ISN'T gelling fuel that is the issue, it's water separated from the diesel that hits the first of the two fuel filters, freezes, and clogs the pores of the paper.

As you described, there's a loss of power, you might notice you can't get over 1500 rpm's, then it degrades to 1400 rpm's, etc. If it gets really bad you can't even idle your truck.

I get an oil change and PM every 10K miles, especially in the winter. About a month ago I was closing in on that 10K mile mark when I was running in temperatures down to 10°F. Loss of power, etc. I knew the score and limped it to a truck stop with a shop and had them do a full PM. Right as rain after that.

Last week I experienced the same symptoms, strangely at 40°F. I limped to make my delivery and parked at a truck stop. I changed the fuel filter that receives fuel from the tanks (primary or secondary?) and the problem was solved. After further research I found out that water in your fuel can begin closing up the pores in your paper filter above freezing.

I did that last fuel filter change myself. IMHO every driver should have a GOOD filter wrench (NOT the idiocy of aluminum Road Pro wrenches that bend and become useless the first time you try them), a gallon blend of diesel and Antigel, and spare filters. I have clips to secure a large garbage bag under the old filter before I carefully spin it off.

If you know how, open up the old filter after you get it drained. I would bet good money that what you WON'T see is the filter covered in what looks like strawberry sherbert. THAT would be a fuel gelling problem. I would bet that what you WILL see is a blackened paper filter covered in ice. That's the problem. Ice will prevent fuel flowing through that first filter, starving your engine of fuel, and you will likely also have fault codes like "Low Fuel Rail Pressure" coming at you.

ALWAYS carry a set of replacement fuel filters, a blended gallon of diesel, and a good fuel filter wrench. Search YouTube for videos on how to replace a fuel filter, that's how I learned how to do it.

I have replaced that first fuel filter about 2-3 times a winter between PM's. I am considering getting a high end water separator to reduce that hassle.
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What is the blended gallon of diesel for? Can't you just put the antigel in the tank? Thanks.

gekko1323, Jan 2, 2019

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gekko1323 Road Train Member

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I remember when I worked at Steven's Transport (my first gig), they would require us to put in antigel if it got below 32F. But let me ask this...if the diesel is a pre-treated winter blend like they have in the big chains, is antigel still necessary or advised? Thanks.

gekko1323, Jan 2, 2019

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xsetra Road Train Member

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gekko1323 said: ↑

What is the blended gallon of diesel for? Can't you just put the antigel in the tank? Thanks.
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To put in your new fuel filter.

xsetra, Jan 2, 2019

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xsetra Road Train Member

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gekko1323 said: ↑

I remember when I worked at Steven's Transport (my first gig), they would require us to put in antigel if it got below 32F. But let me ask this...if the diesel is a pre-treated winter blend like they have in the big chains, is antigel still necessary or advised? Thanks.
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Sometimes the blending is not treated for cold enough. Also depends on how much untreated fuel you have in your tanks, when you fuel up.

xsetra, Jan 2, 2019

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Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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Forget throwing your $$$ away on them #### fancy anti gel additives... Go get you a case of Isopropyl Alcohol... It must be 90% or higher... Not the common 70% stuff. 4 ounces will treat 100 gallons... If I'm getting southern fuel I'll double the dosage to 8 ounces for 100 gallons. I have NEVER gelled up since I switched to isopropyl alcohol, but I have gelled up using Howes and other popular products.

And if you are running alot in -15 or colder put 2 baby diapers on that water separator filter... A little duct tape will hold them in place. They will help keep that water in the separator from freezing.

Cattleman84, Jan 2, 2019

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Lepton1 Road Train Member

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Tb0n3 said: ↑

Isn't that wat the separator is for? And I can vouch for my separator filter being caked in wax at -17.
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That blended gallon is to shock treat a situation. I want the first pull into the injectors to be a well treated blend of anti gel and anti water. Once I finish getting a new fuel filter spun on and turn the key to "start" I want to hear a nice, even firing of the pistons in sequence.

I tried one time using normal diesel siphoned out of a fuel tank to top off the new fuel filter. It was about five minutes of "will she or won't she" fire up. I've never had an issue firing up with my blend. It fires up and gets into a nice high idle immediately.

Lepton1, Jan 2, 2019

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snowwy Road Train Member

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xsetra said: ↑

To put in your new fuel filter.
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Bossman puts ATF in the fuel filters.

snowwy, Jan 2, 2019

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Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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snowwy said: ↑

Bossman puts ATF in the fuel filters.
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Not a good idea in these new emmissions engines... Older engines helped lubricate the injectors.

Cattleman84, Jan 2, 2019

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