Fuel Pressure and Frozen fuel

[tanya]

In another thread we discussed that my diesel fuel had frozen up on me or jelled leaving me stranded. The question was raised as to my fuel pump pressure and we finally got all the gauge and fittings to check it.

The diesel pressure at idle is 70 and drops to about 56 when you rev it to 2500 RPM's Jason said 54 is stock pressure so it looks like I am good there unless it is supposed to remain constant.

So my questions are.

Is the pressure dropping a problem?

Jelled fuel in diesels is common but has any body had it jell after the truck warms up?

Is there a way to heat the stock tank just in the winter time so this stops happening?

Thanks guys, Tanya

[skyskijason]

Other than the stock filter bowl heater and using 'winter' or #1 diesel and additives, I don't know of anything. I know a few PSD's that live in climates similar to yours who don't seem to have problems. I wonder whats different?

When the fuel gelled did diesel fuel pressure drop?

Its the after the truck is warm that throws me. The only gelled fuel problems I've heard of were right after start-up. Usually, just moving into the warm shop for a few hours brings'em back to life...

[tanya]

Jason have a tank of only #1 diesel as they drained my tank and refilled it with #1.

I do not have a fuel pressure gauge in the cab yet that will be one of the next things I do when it warms a little and you will not loose your fingers working out there. Just got a test gauge this week to check from the V3. But you sure get a lose of power when it freezes up like that.

Tanya

[Hooter]

Do you think you could have some kind of debris in your tank that is too big to make it's way to the filter? What I mean is if the debris is still moving around in the line or tank, it could drop the fuel pressure if it got lodged in the right position... Then after the fuel sloshes around a bit it could free itself allowing you to be on your way.

[Jack_Toepfer]

I experienced a week of single digit temps with no problems at all with my fuel. Always from the local reservation.

I think you've been significantly colder than that though... but I can't imagine having any problems.

[tanya]

Jack this last time the temp the night before had been -32 then the day time temp was about -12 while she was sitting outside and then when I started home it was getting colder. I drove her an hour south then sat outside for about 8 hours. On the way home she froze after about 20 minutes of running.

Tanya

[tanya]

Hooter that is a possibility but they drained my tank after the first two times it happened and I would have hoped that it would have come out in that. It does seem to be freezing up as it only happens when it is cold.

Tanya

[Jack_Toepfer]

On the way home she froze after about 20 minutes of running.

Tanya

Geesh Tanya. Nothin but bad luck these days...

Seems like after 20 minutes of running you'd be all out of fuel in the heads and fuel lines and you'd be relying on the fuel in the tank. I think that after that amount of time you would have been on "tank fuel" for a couple minutes already. Sounds like a fuel filter issue. I've never had a problem on my truck, but all of those symptoms point to issues I've had in the past with bad filters.

Are there any filters @ the tank? I can't remember if there was or not.

[tanya]

Jack the fuel filter is brand new as we put one in and then the mechanics who worked on my truck put in another brand new one.

It also seems to only happen when it is really cold has not happened yet in the warm above 0 weather.

Tanya

[Hooter]

Could you get a DFA heated tank for an excursion and use that as your primary diesel tank? Or the new spare tire tank???

[Jack_Toepfer]

Jack the fuel filter is brand new as we put one in and then the mechanics who worked on my truck put in another brand new one.

Tanya

I know, I read that part... but I was wondering if there was an additional filter ( beside the one under the hood ) that could possibly be in the tank, that could be getting blocked.

It just doesn't seem to make sense that the truck can run for 20 minutes without consuming all of the fuel in the lines and heads and filter housing... and then stall when it has to get the fuel from the tank. It should be running on tank fuel before 20 minutes. Thats what I'm getting at.

[Marv]

I know some fuel pumps have small, "sock-like" filters on them. Admittedly, I really don't know what the PSDs have, but I'd bet it's something similar.

Could this be the culprit of your problem perhaps?

[greasyX]

yes sir you are correct.....sorta..

If its a 2000-2003 7.3,I can atest that when fuel pump gave up the ghost there is a very small "screen element" in there.I have seen those clog with gelled fuel,and or B-70 or B-100 in the cold( don't ask me know)........it kind of look like one of those rubber thumb mail carriers use,only made out of screen.........does that help ya a bit...........OH,if its not that the Carter aftermarket pump I got for Under $250 works great.....

[Marv]

If its a 2000-2003 7.3,I can atest that when fuel pump gave up the ghost there is a very small "screen element" in there.I have seen those clog with gelled fuel,and or B-70 or B-100 in the cold( don't ask me know)........it kind of look like one of those rubber thumb mail carriers use,only made out of screen.........does that help ya a bit...........OH,if its not that the Carter aftermarket pump I got for Under $250 works great.....

Thanks for the confirmation Greasy. Definitely sounds like something worth looking into. I could see how a fine mesh screen would stop up pretty quick with gelled fuel.

[Jack_Toepfer]

Yes, thanks greasy. I thought there was on in-line... just didn't know where exactly.