Help Needed sudden missing lacking power.

good afternooon.

I have a bit of a mystery that came on all of the sudden. Started my truck afternoon to deice the windsheild everything started fine considering it was 15 degrees out / 3 degrees overnight. Block heater was plugged in and functioning. Nothing unusual about the way it started. After waiting a few minutes it went to high idle as usual. I pulled up about 30 feet to unload something but upon putting into reverse, engine felt like it was missing with a big lack of power. While it was missing and with some throttle, I did notice a little smoke. The color was hard to tell as the wind was blowing but it definately was not black. The only thing done differntly was the previous day I had to drive 30 mile at low speed due to road conditions. I should note that it has run before at these temps with no issues.

Any ideas as this is my daily driver?

THanks.


edit: after wind died down, smoke color is blue. hopefully i didnt blow an oil seal of some kind. see no puddles on the ground.
also forgot to add, changed fuel filter about 300 miles ago.

Sounds like your fuel could have starting to gel. If I remember right from my trucking days fuel starts gelling around 17deg..

Power Service makes a product called Arctic Express ( http://powerservice.com/aedf/ ) they have a "Where to buy" section. Check them out. I remember truckers building fires under the fuel tanks, in Colorado, but I didn't know why...

Dave

Checked out their products, the local retailer carry power service products but not arctic express. They do carry "diesel 911". Any thoughts? also read something about power service white bottle ?

You can get the ford motorcraft cetane with the blue cap that the no gel stuff and add that in. I think it about 8 bucks.

DieselDo said:

They do carry "diesel 911". Any thoughts? also read something about power service white bottle ?

Click to expand...

Sounds like you got a slug of Slush. Hadn't completely gelled up yet.. or it wouldn't have started, or it would have died.

The Power Service in the white jug has an anti-gel additive in it but.. in your temps.. an additive JUST for gelling is the way to go ? Search until you find it ?

Joe

OBTW.. it's 72* here today. Was doing some sprinkler work.. Tank-top'n shorts ?

DieselDo said:

Checked out their products, the local retailer carry power service products but not arctic express. They do carry "diesel 911". Any thoughts? also read something about power service white bottle ?

Click to expand...

Double dose Power Service (white bottle) Following the instructions on the bottle could leave you stuck.

Thanks Everybody for the input. Very much apperciated.

Between the previous owner (my dad) and my self, we've been getting fuel at the same place for the last about 10 years never had a gelling problem before. Maybe their blend was made in preparation of our milder winters (25-40*) and just couldnt handle the 5 degree nights. My big concern was that it was something major, but after reading here and some thinking, gelling may be the blame.

Looking ahead at the weather forecast, it might be a good idea to get a few bottles, most of the nights are in the low teens to single digits. Come on spring!!!

the diesel 911 stuff in the red bottle is for already gelled fuel you're supposed to add it to the filter to de-ice it. the white bottle is what I use seems to be good stuff

Well, it's 10 here tonight and I just got the word that I have to go to Little Rock at 10 in the morning.
I think I have Power Service in my fuel tank but can't remember. I know I still have about half a gal in tool box.
Sounds like I better go and pulg the big gal up and let it be warming up some.
Doug