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 The Rose of Rodeo...
Posts: 2560
  
Location: Where we still run to look when the siren goes by. | I have Howe's added to my diesel but tried driving it out and it acted like it was gelling up. I read on the bottle Howe's is good up to -20* and with windchill it's -48* here. I always put more that what it says in the tank and have never had a problem.. I added more Howe's and let it run for 15 min longer and it started running fine. Made it to town and bought some 911.. just wondering if I should put some of that in or if it should be good? |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
 
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Don't push it....don't drive until you get some DE-gel put in there. Dump in a cup or two. |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Rodeo Rose - 2014-01-05 2:53 PM
I have Howe's added to my diesel but tried driving it out and it acted like it was gelling up. I read on the bottle Howe's is good up to -20* and with windchill it's -48* here. I always put more that what it says in the tank and have never had a problem.. I added more Howe's and let it run for 15 min longer and it started running fine. Made it to town and bought some 911.. just wondering if I should put some of that in or if it should be good?
If you haven't changed your fuel filter(s) lately and the filters are semi plugged, your likely to have more issues as the wax can deposit more easily and gum up your fuel delivery system.
You can add extra Howe's without endangering your injectors. I just asked hubby and he shrugged his shoulders as far as adding the 911 in addition to the Howes. Without knowing what is in the 911 , don't know if it's safe to add to the mix. As long as it is running fine now, I would be tempted to leave well enough alone. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | 911 is safe. I've used it for years. It's saved my ass when things started to gel. Make sure it's the stuff that de-gels.
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The Rose of Rodeo...
Posts: 2560
Location: Where we still run to look when the siren goes by. | Only the gas stations are open today and they don't have much besides the Howes, PS, and 911. I'm gonna try bringing it up right next to the house out of the wind and hope that it stays warmer there.. Darn cold :( |
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The Rose of Rodeo...
Posts: 2560
Location: Where we still run to look when the siren goes by. | HotbearLVR - 2014-01-05 2:14 PM 911 is safe. I've used it for years. It's saved my ass when things started to gel. Make sure it's the stuff that de-gels.
Did you add it just to the tank or the filters too? I just had my filiter replaced last oil change and I've put on about 2k since then.. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | If your pickup is still warm, add it right to the tank and let it run for 15 minutes. Do you plug it in? Just curious.....that won't prevent gelling. Also, I use #1 diesel, rather than a winter blend during these bitter cold snaps. If you can top it off with #1 diesel, that would be a good idea. Ask DD2012. He knows his stuff. The 911 should get rid of existing gel if it hasn't gone too far. |
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Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: So. MN, to close to IA | It OK to add the 911, but if the engine is running ok now I would not add it. If you start gelling again, add the 911 while the engine is still running. Let it run for about 15 minutes and it should smooth out. Hopefully you are running blended fuel. There have been a lot of problems with biodiesel this year and that is cause. You should be running a 60-40 blend in this weather. |
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| How do I know it is starting to gel - starting to run rough? Once it starts that, how quick does it take to stop running? I've never had to worry about gelling before. I topped off my tank, not quite 1/2 with a 50/50 blend (with what I don't know). Do I take the chance of driving to work tomorrow or just work from home? I'm in SW Iowa and this is the furthest north I've been plus the coldest winter since I've had diesel. |
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  Golden Heart
Posts: 5662
Location: SD | I second what HotbearLVR said about #1 diesel. It's a good thing. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 288
| Not to steal the thread..but my Dad died a couple of weeks ago and his diesel truck has been sitting in the garage. We stop over there daily to fill the pellet stove. Should i start it up and let it run or drive it around the block a bit..or is it ok just sitting in these cold temps? |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | MO gal - 2014-01-05 3:54 PM How do I know it is starting to gel - starting to run rough? Once it starts that, how quick does it take to stop running? I've never had to worry about gelling before. I topped off my tank, not quite 1/2 with a 50/50 blend (with what I don't know). Do I take the chance of driving to work tomorrow or just work from home? I'm in SW Iowa and this is the furthest north I've been plus the coldest winter since I've had diesel.
Don't screw around and wait for it to start running rough. Put some additive in before you have "symptoms" of gelling. Remember: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"
Another thing is I wouldn't necessarily TRUST that a given gas station has a "blend" that is what they claim. Either use #1 or a so-called blend with additive that YOU put in. Once it starts to run a little rough, throw in some DE-gel that will liquify any gelled fuel. Turn it off, plug it in, and start it back up in a half hour. That stuff will turn the gel back into liquid. Once you re-start, let it run for a good 15 minutes. Shut er down and plug it in and forget about it.
I've been stalled a couple times....completely stalled, barely idling, at 6-7 am on a remote road in weather just like this, and I was saved because I had some de-gel. I dumped in a half bottle and waited. It worked. Like a dumbass, I wasn't dressed very warm, and that road is seldom travelled at that hour. I was in trouble. This happened twice to me. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | My husband is in Dickinson ND and said they are having major problems with gelling up there today due to the temps |
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Expert
Posts: 1956
Location: Ky | Rodeo Rose - 2014-01-05 2:53 PM I have Howe's added to my diesel but tried driving it out and it acted like it was gelling up. I read on the bottle Howe's is good up to -20* and with windchill it's -48* here. I always put more that what it says in the tank and have never had a problem.. I added more Howe's and let it run for 15 min longer and it started running fine. Made it to town and bought some 911.. just wondering if I should put some of that in or if it should be good?
Wind chill has nothing to do with the ambient temperature. |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | I've had a mechanic tell me to put a little bit of gas in the tank to keep from gelling also.  |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Lovin Life - 2014-01-06 9:24 AM I've had a mechanic tell me to put a little bit of gas in the tank to keep from gelling also.
I'm not so sure that's a good idea. You'd better make sure. Why not juyst play it safe and use additive? |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | HotbearLVR - 2014-01-05 3:36 PM If you can top it off with #1 diesel, that would be a good idea.
I was also going to suggest mixing in some #1 diesel. That what my dad has to do to keep the tractors running in this extreme cold weather to feed the cows and horses. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| BRRRRR... I don't think I am tough enough to stand that kind of cold. We're really cold and it's 11 degrees with a 0 degree wind child. I can't imagine that kind of cold. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
| Lovin Life - 2014-01-06 9:24 AM
I've had a mechanic tell me to put a little bit of gas in the tank to keep from gelling also.
Older ones were fine with a little gasoline in there.
I would not suggest for late model Diesels.
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Ahhh...I totally didn't think about my diesel gelling up....
Not to steal the thread....it is plugged in....and currently -1 , but with the wind chill it is -24 out.
Would anyone recommend I have the husband pick up an additive on his way home from work?
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| The only additive I've ever used is Power Service (white jug this time of year) as all the diesel mechanics and searching I've done say if you are going to use one, it's the best. I run the stuff year round (grey jug in the summer) as it keeps your injectors clean as well. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
| brlraceaddict - 2014-01-06 10:24 AM
The only additive I've ever used is Power Service (white jug this time of year) as all the diesel mechanics and searching I've done say if you are going to use one, it's the best. I run the stuff year round (grey jug in the summer) as it keeps your injectors clean as well.
And it makes the PS people wealthy
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | magic gunsmoke - 2014-01-06 10:17 AM Ahhh...I totally didn't think about my diesel gelling up....
Not to steal the thread....it is plugged in....and currently -1 , but with the wind chill it is -24 out.
Would anyone recommend I have the husband pick up an additive on his way home from work?
If you're running straight with no additive your going to be in trouble if you don't add something |
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IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| CYA Ranch - 2014-01-06 12:32 PM magic gunsmoke - 2014-01-06 10:17 AM Ahhh...I totally didn't think about my diesel gelling up....
Not to steal the thread....it is plugged in....and currently -1 , but with the wind chill it is -24 out.
Would anyone recommend I have the husband pick up an additive on his way home from work?
If you're running straight with no additive your going to be in trouble if you don't add something
Thanks! I will tell the husband to pick something up....
We don't plan on driving it....we only drive it when we haul and it is too cold to ride.
So is an additive still needed once the temperatures warm up? Owning a diesel in temps. like this is all new to me.
Heck-I have never experienced temps. like this in my life. I grew up in Washington near Seattle and we had very moderate weather year round. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Unless you are sure you are running #1 diesel, don't agonize!! Just do it. I don't care if it's Howe's, or whatever. Plug your trucks in. |
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IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Well guys thanks for the heads up! Sent my husband a text to pick some additive up.
Luckily his family is in the car parts business (KOI Auto Parts)...and can stop and pick some up easily on his way home from work. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| Found out too late to do anything about it, that new diesel trucks come with block heaters, but no cord to plug them in with. Truck started but wouldn't stay running. I'm assuming the fuel has gelled. Will 911 de-gel it so it will run? Then when I re-fuel, put in Howe's? Working on getting the cord installed, but can't get the truck there if it's not running. |
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 Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | LoudAppy - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM Found out too late to do anything about it, that new diesel trucks come with block heaters, but no cord to plug them in with. Truck started but wouldn't stay running. I'm assuming the fuel has gelled. Will 911 de-gel it so it will run? Then when I re-fuel, put in Howe's? Working on getting the cord installed, but can't get the truck there if it's not running. Ram? My dad has a '13 Ram and was having issues with it staying running in the cold. It would start and run for a minute or so then shut off. He called around and not a single dealer knew how to help him at all! They said he would have to bring it in to have them look at it. He finally talked to a NAPA guy and he said it is probably the rear fuel filter. There is a fuel filter back by the tank. Sure enough that was the problem! Heated it up and drained the water out of the fuel filter and it was fine.
Edited by Just Bring It 2014-01-06 1:46 PM
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| HotbearLVR - 2014-01-06 10:01 AM
Lovin Life - 2014-01-06 9:24 AM I've had a mechanic tell me to put a little bit of gas in the tank to keep from gelling also.
Used to be that you could throw a little kerosene into the tank. These days, with all of the fancy electronics and EPA crap, I wouldn't risk it.
Also remember that when you are fueling, put your additive in FIRST and it will mix in better when you put the diesel in. Otherwise, in the cold it may just puddle in the top of the tank and do little good in the fuel lines and filters where things most likely plug up.
It used to be that in theses kinds of extreme temps, I would pull a sock over the fuel filter for a little extra protection and sometimes put cardboard in front of the radiator to help keep heat in the engine compartment.
We don't have too many issues with blended fuel, just make sure that we don't come up from the South with a tank full of southern fuel this time of year unless it is heavily treated. Most issues from blended fuel are more likely from water in the fuel.
Hubby has been an OTR driver for over 40 years and I got my CDL back when they called them a Chauffeur's license. You definitely need to be prepare when driving a diesel.
Everybody stay safe....and warm! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| Yes! That's exactly what it's doing! It's supposed to start warming up tomorrow. I'm hoping that's good enough to do the trick.
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Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | LoudAppy - 2014-01-06 3:58 PM Yes! That's exactly what it's doing! It's supposed to start warming up tomorrow. I'm hoping that's good enough to do the trick.
I believe it is fairly easy to drain the water out. There is a drain valve that once you heat it up should drain the water out just fine. If you have a heater you can stick under there for awhile that should work then just go out and let the water out with that drain valve.
My dad is pretty frustrated with Ram right now. His truck now also blows a fuse for the clearance lights every time he washes it. One dealership that looked it over told him that he will just have to keep replacing the fuse when it does it. WHAT?!? It is a mechanical issue and the truck is under warranty...figure it out and fix it! Oh and his truck's iPod connection rarely works now and they can't figure that out either. It will play the iPod just fine for awhile and then all of a sudden will say "Connect Device" because it just stops reading the iPod. That on top of him calling probably 6 different dealerships when his truck wouldn't start and not a single one could help him out! It wasn't until he talked to a NAPA parts man did he know what was going on. He didn't even know the newer trucks have another fuel filter in the back. He would love to take it do a different mechanic that actually cares and KNOWS how to figure problems out without needing a darn computer hooked up telling him what to look for but his truck is about 6 months old and under warranty. I know my husband and I never take our vehicles to the dealership anymore. They don't know jack and they are the ones that should be trained in each years/models issues and know how to fix them. Instead they charge you an arm and a leg to fix something that actually doesn't even have anything to do with your problem because that is what the computer codes supposedly read. Been there, done that, multiple times. Never again! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| Just Bring It - 2014-01-06 4:19 PM LoudAppy - 2014-01-06 3:58 PM Yes! That's exactly what it's doing! It's supposed to start warming up tomorrow. I'm hoping that's good enough to do the trick.
I believe it is fairly easy to drain the water out. There is a drain valve that once you heat it up should drain the water out just fine. If you have a heater you can stick under there for awhile that should work then just go out and let the water out with that drain valve.
My dad is pretty frustrated with Ram right now. His truck now also blows a fuse for the clearance lights every time he washes it. One dealership that looked it over told him that he will just have to keep replacing the fuse when it does it. WHAT?!? It is a mechanical issue and the truck is under warranty...figure it out and fix it! Oh and his truck's iPod connection rarely works now and they can't figure that out either. It will play the iPod just fine for awhile and then all of a sudden will say "Connect Device" because it just stops reading the iPod. That on top of him calling probably 6 different dealerships when his truck wouldn't start and not a single one could help him out! It wasn't until he talked to a NAPA parts man did he know what was going on. He didn't even know the newer trucks have another fuel filter in the back. He would love to take it do a different mechanic that actually cares and KNOWS how to figure problems out without needing a darn computer hooked up telling him what to look for but his truck is about 6 months old and under warranty. I know my husband and I never take our vehicles to the dealership anymore. They don't know jack and they are the ones that should be trained in each years/models issues and know how to fix them. Instead they charge you an arm and a leg to fix something that actually doesn't even have anything to do with your problem because that is what the computer codes supposedly read. Been there, done that, multiple times. Never again!
My truck has a recall on the radio. He might want to check into that with the dealership. They had to order a CD to run on the computer for it, so I haven't gotten it done yet.
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | brlraceaddict - 2014-01-06 11:24 AM The only additive I've ever used is Power Service (white jug this time of year) as all the diesel mechanics and searching I've done say if you are going to use one, it's the best. I run the stuff year round (grey jug in the summer) as it keeps your injectors clean as well.
We use this as well, year round. |
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Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | LoudAppy - 2014-01-06 5:09 PM Just Bring It - 2014-01-06 4:19 PM LoudAppy - 2014-01-06 3:58 PM Yes! That's exactly what it's doing! It's supposed to start warming up tomorrow. I'm hoping that's good enough to do the trick.
I believe it is fairly easy to drain the water out. There is a drain valve that once you heat it up should drain the water out just fine. If you have a heater you can stick under there for awhile that should work then just go out and let the water out with that drain valve.
My dad is pretty frustrated with Ram right now. His truck now also blows a fuse for the clearance lights every time he washes it. One dealership that looked it over told him that he will just have to keep replacing the fuse when it does it. WHAT?!? It is a mechanical issue and the truck is under warranty...figure it out and fix it! Oh and his truck's iPod connection rarely works now and they can't figure that out either. It will play the iPod just fine for awhile and then all of a sudden will say "Connect Device" because it just stops reading the iPod. That on top of him calling probably 6 different dealerships when his truck wouldn't start and not a single one could help him out! It wasn't until he talked to a NAPA parts man did he know what was going on. He didn't even know the newer trucks have another fuel filter in the back. He would love to take it do a different mechanic that actually cares and KNOWS how to figure problems out without needing a darn computer hooked up telling him what to look for but his truck is about 6 months old and under warranty. I know my husband and I never take our vehicles to the dealership anymore. They don't know jack and they are the ones that should be trained in each years/models issues and know how to fix them. Instead they charge you an arm and a leg to fix something that actually doesn't even have anything to do with your problem because that is what the computer codes supposedly read. Been there, done that, multiple times. Never again!
I will have him check into that. His is a Longhorn Laramie if that makes a difference or not? I'm not sure if it is the radio or the iPod connection or somewhere in between...lol. He loves that thing but its the little things like that that are just frustrating. His old truck was a '95 Dodge with over 500k on it and he was the one and only owner. This was his first new vehicle purchase since 1995! He figured he might as well go big since he will probably have it for another 20 years (if the new ones can even last that long). |
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Expert
Posts: 1690
| Apparently the newer trucks don't come with plugins? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| barrelhaybroker - 2014-01-06 6:11 PM Apparently the newer trucks don't come with plugins?
No they do not. Pretty stupid, right?
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 The Original Cyber Bartender
Location: Washington | For those that can't plug them in due to no plug, never forget the good ole fashion why. Put a trouble light/light bulb under your hood. Usually will help. |
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Member
Posts: 26
| Number 1 and plug it in. That is all we have done when we had -50 below weather for the last few days. Our pickups and trucks have started right up. I know some people who mix 1 and 2. Or just run straight 1. |
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Gelling diesel..