7.3 IDI dead on the road - F-Series & SuperDuty Diesel Forums

Eric in IL · 12-23-2011, 09:16 AM

1989 F-350 is dead on side of road.

I had the rig plugged in over night. Started like a champ, warmed up for a bit. Got 2 miles outside of town. Notice power loss which got progressively worse. White smoke blowing from tail pipe like it is not getting fuel. When it finally died I went to check the fuel filter for water (the expensive fuel filter with the valve on the bottom to drain water). Opened filter valve. No water. I heard a pressure release like the filter was under suction and no liquid. Must get this dealt with before weekend when no one is working.

Is this the classic case of diesel gel-up or water freezing in the tank and I am an idiot for not putting additive in? Suggestions?

Background:
-Mechanical Fuel pump is about 1.5 years old.
-There was water in the tank on the previous tank of diesel.
-Temp was in the upper 20's over night.
-Monster cookies to be delivered are still on the front seat.

DaveBen · 12-23-2011, 09:50 AM

Your fuel has gelled up. You need to add an anti-gel formula to the fuel. Your temps are low enough for the fuel to gel.

Dave

WD40 · 12-23-2011, 10:02 AM

You need to get the truck in a heated building and let it set over night, then add
anti-gel formula to your fuel tank. You should be good to go in the morning.
Looks like you live up in the Northern part of IL. so you need to be buying #1 Diesel
this time of the year. Good Luck.
Doug

BIG JOE · 12-23-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveBen

Your fuel has gelled up. You need to add an anti-gel formula to the fuel. Your temps are low enough for the fuel to gel.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric in IL

1989 F-350 is dead on side of road.

I had the rig plugged in over night. Started like a champ, warmed up for a bit. Got 2 miles outside of town. Notice power loss which got progressively worse. White smoke blowing from tail pipe like it is not getting fuel. When it finally died I went to check the fuel filter for water (the expensive fuel filter with the valve on the bottom to drain water). Opened filter valve. No water. I heard a pressure release like the filter was under suction and no liquid. Must get this dealt with before weekend when no one is working.

Is this the classic case of diesel gel-up or water freezing in the tank and I am an idiot for not putting additive in? Suggestions?

Background:
-Mechanical Fuel pump is about 1.5 years old.
-There was water in the tank on the previous tank of diesel.
-Temp was in the upper 20's over night.
-Monster cookies to be delivered are still on the front seat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD40

You need to get the truck in a heated building and let it set over night, then add
anti-gel formula to your fuel tank. You should be good to go in the morning.
Looks like you live up in the Northern part of IL. so you need to be buying #1 Diesel
this time of the year. Good Luck.
Doug

X3 to what Dave & Doug said.

and you probably should change your filter(s) too. Particulates from the Gelling process.. could likely have fouled the filter(s) some ?

Joe

trackspeeder · 12-23-2011, 03:31 PM

If you run into this bind again (hopefully not) Diesel 911 one will get you back home. Change the filter and use additives. Don't trust your local fuel stop to do this.

Locojonny · 12-24-2011, 12:03 AM

I respectfully have to disagree with the gelling diagnosis. I live in NE North Dakota, and growing up on a grain farm, and having 18 years in the Army(95% of our equipment is diesel powered), have been around all kinds of diesel engines, and extremely cold temperatures. I've had my F250 for three years, and I don't even think about Power Service or #1 fuel until it's going to drop below -10 F. The only time I've seen gelling at temps above zero was with the vehicles we shipped back from Egypt in '05. The crap in those tanks was like glue.

As for your problem, Eric, I would have to lean more towards a water/ice problem. The sucking sound when you opened the filter drain, in my opinion, points to that. Gel problems almost always occur in the filter because of the restriction, and taking off the filter top and inspecting it should show very quickly if that is the problem. I agree with WD40 that you should try get it in a heated building overnight to warm up, but then work on getting all the water out-- northern North American #2 diesel simply doesn't gel at +20 F.

JLDickmon · 12-24-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locojonny

I respectfully have to disagree with the gelling diagnosis. I live in NE North Dakota, and growing up on a grain farm, and having 18 years in the Army(95% of our equipment is diesel powered), have been around all kinds of diesel engines, and extremely cold temperatures. I've had my F250 for three years, and I don't even think about Power Service or #1 fuel until it's going to drop below -10 F. The only time I've seen gelling at temps above zero was with the vehicles we shipped back from Egypt in '05. The crap in those tanks was like glue.

microbial growth?

To the OP.. I'd have to agree with this guy.. the 7.3 'strokes are good for gelling in the filter bowl, but yours is an IDI, and with the white smoke statement, I'd be likely to think water in the fuel as well.

iracemine · 12-24-2011, 07:20 AM

they have also switched the fuel here already. You can always tell by the sudden sharp rise in price and sudden loss of mpg.

iracemine · 12-24-2011, 07:22 AM

its also when I change my fuel filters twice a year.

BIG JOE · 12-24-2011, 10:48 AM

I'm thinking we're talking Apples & Apples here. Water in Diesel fuel* can create Icing, anywhere in the fuel system.. Gelling in the fuel system= Same/Same ?

The Prevention and Maintenance are the same too ?

1. Treat your fuel with an anti-icing inhibitor. All Winter ?

2. Start the Winter with clean, new filter(s) ?

3. Buy fuel at a Major Brand stations.. with a Good turnover of product ?

4. Carry a jug of Diesel 911 (or the equivalent) ?

* Diesel fuel(s) has in-trained H2O in it.. by it's nature (refining process)

Joe

12-23-2011, 10:02 AM	#3
WD40 SDD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Benton Arkansas & McAllen Posts: 2,758 Thanks: 57 Thanked 111 Times in 107 Posts View Photos By: WD40	You need to get the truck in a heated building and let it set over night, then add anti-gel formula to your fuel tank. You should be good to go in the morning. Looks like you live up in the Northern part of IL. so you need to be buying #1 Diesel this time of the year. Good Luck. Doug __________________ 2006 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Lariat 4X2 PSD 6.0 TorqShift Automatic Transmission, MAG-HYTEC DIFF COVERS Bama ZooDad If you think the 6.0 is bad.....Get a 6.4 2004 35 ft Hitch Hiker 16589 EW. Doug Is it time to go camping yet?

12-23-2011, 03:31 PM	#5
trackspeeder Toys Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Branford CT Posts: 1,299 Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 26 Posts	If you run into this bind again (hopefully not) Diesel 911 one will get you back home. Change the filter and use additives. Don't trust your local fuel stop to do this. __________________ 01 F250 XLT 4X4,4R100, Dark Highland Green,Green fuzzy dice,Di Pricol Optix gauges,Dura Lite Air Cleaner with protection,MBRP 4" exhaust,CCV Mod,Oil Guard bypass filter, coolant filter,AIC,XM Satilite radio.Coming soon 6oh CAC, more stuff coming. 90 F350 XLT 4X4, E4OD with mods X4TC Torque Converter ,Peeling Red,Stock Air Cleaner, 3.5" exhaust from above, Dura lift fuel pump, Coming soon, Red fuzzy dice more power and a brain. Easy photo button 08 Arctic Cat 700 Diesel Super Duty 4X4, Smoke added.(Yard goat) My other car is a 1946 Fairmont.

12-24-2011, 12:03 AM	#6
Locojonny SDD Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ND Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I respectfully have to disagree with the gelling diagnosis. I live in NE North Dakota, and growing up on a grain farm, and having 18 years in the Army(95% of our equipment is diesel powered), have been around all kinds of diesel engines, and extremely cold temperatures. I've had my F250 for three years, and I don't even think about Power Service or #1 fuel until it's going to drop below -10 F. The only time I've seen gelling at temps above zero was with the vehicles we shipped back from Egypt in '05. The crap in those tanks was like glue. As for your problem, Eric, I would have to lean more towards a water/ice problem. The sucking sound when you opened the filter drain, in my opinion, points to that. Gel problems almost always occur in the filter because of the restriction, and taking off the filter top and inspecting it should show very quickly if that is the problem. I agree with WD40 that you should try get it in a heated building overnight to warm up, but then work on getting all the water out-- northern North American #2 diesel simply doesn't gel at +20 F. __________________ '99 F250 Supercab LB 4x4 7.3l, 6 spd manual Build Date: 3/98

12-24-2011, 07:20 AM	#8
iracemine black and tan Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheese Curtain Posts: 914 Thanks: 46 Thanked 44 Times in 40 Posts	they have also switched the fuel here already. You can always tell by the sudden sharp rise in price and sudden loss of mpg. __________________ coolant filter (dieselsite), CCV Mod (home made), 4" MBRP turbo back (dieselsite), turbo temp monitor (ISSPROdieselsite), DIY triple gauge kit (ITPdeisel), "fuel filler mod" (home made), stock 7.3 99.5' 2WD W/ more power than I need. Be green... drink kegged beer! www.micromatic.com you'll thank me

12-24-2011, 07:22 AM	#9
iracemine black and tan Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheese Curtain Posts: 914 Thanks: 46 Thanked 44 Times in 40 Posts	its also when I change my fuel filters twice a year. __________________ coolant filter (dieselsite), CCV Mod (home made), 4" MBRP turbo back (dieselsite), turbo temp monitor (ISSPROdieselsite), DIY triple gauge kit (ITPdeisel), "fuel filler mod" (home made), stock 7.3 99.5' 2WD W/ more power than I need. Be green... drink kegged beer! www.micromatic.com you'll thank me

12-23-2011, 09:16 AM	#1
Eric in IL SDD Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Viola, IL Posts: 6 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	7.3 IDI dead on the road 1989 F-350 is dead on side of road. I had the rig plugged in over night. Started like a champ, warmed up for a bit. Got 2 miles outside of town. Notice power loss which got progressively worse. White smoke blowing from tail pipe like it is not getting fuel. When it finally died I went to check the fuel filter for water (the expensive fuel filter with the valve on the bottom to drain water). Opened filter valve. No water. I heard a pressure release like the filter was under suction and no liquid. Must get this dealt with before weekend when no one is working. Is this the classic case of diesel gel-up or water freezing in the tank and I am an idiot for not putting additive in? Suggestions? Background: -Mechanical Fuel pump is about 1.5 years old. -There was water in the tank on the previous tank of diesel. -Temp was in the upper 20's over night. -Monster cookies to be delivered are still on the front seat.

12-23-2011, 09:50 AM	#2
DaveBen SDD Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ukiah, California Posts: 7,869 Thanks: 127 Thanked 506 Times in 489 Posts	Your fuel has gelled up. You need to add an anti-gel formula to the fuel. Your temps are low enough for the fuel to gel. Dave __________________ 2004 F-350 Regular cab with 6.0, Torqshift, 4X4, and just about all of the rest of the options. I added Guages, Satellite Radio, Air Horns, and a coolant filter. Bilstein shocks. Battery Desulphater that really works. Installed Jimmi Jammers. Pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/user/dbennett48 Completely Stock. I had a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA in a KW dump truck in 1980. That sucker would put out 425 hp but would never out pull a CAT.

12-24-2011, 10:48 AM	#10
BIG JOE SDD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CenCal Posts: 4,377 Thanks: 101 Thanked 392 Times in 381 Posts	I'm thinking we're talking Apples & Apples here. Water in Diesel fuel* can create Icing, anywhere in the fuel system.. Gelling in the fuel system= Same/Same ? The Prevention and Maintenance are the same too ? 1. Treat your fuel with an anti-icing inhibitor. All Winter ? 2. Start the Winter with clean, new filter(s) ? 3. Buy fuel at a Major Brand stations.. with a Good turnover of product ? 4. Carry a jug of Diesel 911 (or the equivalent) ? * Diesel fuel(s) has in-trained H2O in it.. by it's nature (refining process) Joe Last edited by BIG JOE; 12-24-2011 at 10:49 AM.

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