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Old 12-12-2010, 08:00 PM   #1
MAMalody
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Gelled Diesel

You won't believe this. 28 November depart Pasco, WA arrive Bend,OR. Fill up with diesel. Drive to Klamath Falls, OR. Overnight temp goes to 10 degrees. 29 November, prepare to depart klamath Falls, diesel has gelled and engine will not start. (why wasn't the diesel I bought in Bend winterized). Call AAA, can't help. Talked to hotel clerk, can't help. (They told me I should have plugged in my truck.) Stewed for about 1/2 hour. Remembered I had two 2000 Honda generators in my truck. Fired one up, borrowed an extension cord, plugged in truck and on my way in 45 minutes. Made it to CA in time for my grandaughters adoption proceedings. It was docketed for 5 minutes. We entered the court room, bailiff locked door and pulled shades on room. Completed legal procedings then the judge produced a cake that she had baked, plates forks for all of us to have the cake right then. Then she produced a stuffed bear for a present to the newly adopted baby girl. Took an hour in all with the chambers locked and the rest of the docket waiting in the halls. All-in-all a great trip! Merry Christmas!!!
 
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Old 12-12-2010, 10:41 PM   #2
thor
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glad everything went well.merry christmas to the new family.may god bless them and watch over them.

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Old 12-12-2010, 11:31 PM   #3
sfish
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Merry Christmas!!
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Old 12-13-2010, 12:23 AM   #4
Tom S.
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I'm glad things worked out. Make sure in the future when you buy fuel to get it at a station that sells a lot so you lessen the chances of this happening again. We have a small station near the house that I never buy at because although he has diesel, you just don't see that many people buying it.
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Old 12-13-2010, 12:44 AM   #5
PatnRich
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Nice story. Glad everything worked out well.
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Old 12-13-2010, 02:09 AM   #6
nunya
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Get some 911 diesel fuel supplement and carry with you, it really does work! I had to use it at -30, good stuff. Glad all worked out and Happy Holidays with your new grandbaby.
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Old 12-13-2010, 02:22 AM   #7
camper4
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Great story! Glad to hear it all worked out so well.

For the Diesel. I make sure I get diesel from heavily used stations. Little used stations may not get fresh fuel as the climate changes, so you get summer fuel in the late fall. You also get old fuel which can cause a host of issues beyond gel.
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Old 12-13-2010, 03:58 AM   #8
CamillaMichael
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You have certainly received a wonderful Christmas present...a miracle you were on-time to receive her!
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Old 12-13-2010, 04:39 AM   #9
Trailer Trash 2
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Congradulations on the adoption proceedings I'll bet everybody was realy happy.
As for the gelled problem, I think of peanut butter and jelly Ha Ha, Im glad all turned out well other than a ulser or more gray hairs.
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Old 12-13-2010, 06:24 AM   #10
Art-n-Marge
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My prior truck had a plug that dangled down from under the engine, but my current truck I don't see one. I guess they all don't have it.

If there is a plug I thought it kept the oil heated by keeping the engine block warm. Does it also heat the fuel tank or fuel lines, etc., too?

I guess with my truck I'll have to be very careful about stopping a trip in cold weather. What is the temperature when fuel starts to gel. 10 degrees is not that low even in my southern California mind. I guess it's a good thing the gennys were able to start to even warm up the engine. What can one do that does not have an engine block heater.

But now for the good news! Congratulations on the adoption and the well deserved celebration (I'd vote for that judge). Seems all worth, doesn't it. Learned something, then enjoyed something even bigger. Just in time for the Holidays!

Merry Christmas to the newly enlarged family!
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Old 12-13-2010, 09:05 AM   #11
HamRad
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Art,
You may be correct.... That they don't all have a heater. But you do have to look very carefully to find the electrical cord. Mine is all bundled up and tucked away. So much so that the first time or two that I looked I missed it.

My truck is a 2002.

Good luck. Dennis
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Old 12-13-2010, 09:11 AM   #12
mhs4771
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There are numerous products on the market to prevent gelling of fuel. It's added each time you fuel up and the amount used is based on the amount of fuel you're putting in. Do a google search, or better yet ask the head of a school bus garage or a truck fleet. Just about all big rigs that travel in cold climates use something. The block heater may help, if the fuel is gelled near the engine, if its in the fuel line between the tank and fuel filter you would out of luck until the temperature warmed up.
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Old 12-13-2010, 09:25 AM   #13
mlh
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Art I think you have the heater but you may not have the cord. As stupid as it sounds the cord was the option and the heater was standard, I think but not a 100% positive. I'm more sure on the 6.4 than the 6.0 that you have, and like Dennis said the cord might just be hid.
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Old 12-13-2010, 09:56 AM   #14
boylanag
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Congratulations on that beautiful adoption. Life is good! I also have not been able to locate a cord but saw on a diesel forum that all Fords have come with heaters but the cord is the option - go figure! I am taking it to a shop tomorrow to see just how my 2005 6.0 is put together. I ran the battery down today in 7 degree weather trying to start the truck.
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Old 12-13-2010, 10:23 AM   #15
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I live in Massachusetts (till I win the lottery) and gets real cold here, I use Howes and never jelled..and the advice to buy fuel at a station that sells a lot is good advice....

howes linkhttp://www.howeslube.com/
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Old 12-13-2010, 10:28 AM   #16
Bill-N-Donna
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I plugged ours in the other day for this cold weather coming. I haven’t even driven it anywhere yet but I want it to start when I do. It has been neglected a lot lately since I’ve been driving the cruiser back & forth to work. I run a little sea foam in it from time to time. I think it helps keep things cleaned out. Ours is a 2004 and it has a plug but it’s in behind the grill and can be a booger to find at times.
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Old 12-13-2010, 02:42 PM   #17
c214dick
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Art, check your owner's manual. It should show whether it is a std or an option. With my 01 Dodge it was obvious but with my 03 I had to search. Not a Chevy but they all like to make thing more difficult for us.
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Old 12-14-2010, 03:59 AM   #18
richfaa
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Did not know if we had a heater or not as we hve never been in Cold weather with the truck. Never thought about it last night as the temp was 27 degrees this AM. Lucky we did not have to go to work. Went out and looked.We do have one..Lower left hand side looking at the front of the truck. Just like the School buses we drove any 110 cord will plug into it.
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Old 12-14-2010, 04:02 AM   #19
trustymopars
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On my 06 Ram, the plug was an option. I just ordered one off ebay and installed it this weekend. Not too bad. Just had to pull the intake tube to the turbo off to get to it. $85 from the dealer, versus $23 on ebay for brand new.
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Old 12-14-2010, 07:43 AM   #20
bw2
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My 2005 F250 is sitting in the driveway with the gelled fuel. The block heater is standard but the block heater cord is an option for purchase. Called Ford and they said the block heater would not help the gelled fuel. My error is I failed to use the truck enough prior to this really cold snap and my fuel does not have the winter blend. Went and purchased cetane with winter blend. Waiting and hoping for a little warm up to help the fuel to "ungel"? (That a word?) It is too cold to crawl underneath and remove the fuel filter and add 9-1-1. I will not make this mistake again, I have learned my lesson!
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