Help With Unfreezing

memphisflyer · Dec 27, 2022

I'm relatively new to diesels. I have a 2020 3500 with the 6.7. It got down to about 1F here a few days ago and the truck won't start. I know now that I should have used an additive and I certainly will next time. My issue now is getting the truck running. The truck says to service the fuel filters so I assume the filters have thick waxing fuel all over them. Now that the temp is around 40F, can I out some heat on the filters with a heat gun and get things going? Or am I going to have to replace the filters? Any help is appreciated.

turkeybird56 · Dec 27, 2022

U want to throw unregulated heat at an area with fuel filters, ahhhhhhhhh, U may want to rethink that. Change the filters, if they R all gelled up, they be trashed ne way. But this is just my opinion, OP U do as U see fit, but heck yeah, anti-gel for the future for sure.

ADDED: If U just think U gotta throw heat at it, use a Hair Dryer, not a heat gun. You can regulate a hair dryer some, but a heat gun can get as high as 1,100 degrees, just a thought. AND I do not recommend this, just a FYI.

memphisflyer · Dec 27, 2022

Thanks turkeybird. I was thinking hair dryer when I talked about the heat and yes, super careful heat - I'm not nuts

I just wanted to know if the heat idea was even worth trying since getting the fuel filters today is going to be a challenge. Thanks for the input.

turkeybird56 · Dec 27, 2022

I personally WOULD not do heat, put in heated garage, but really change filters. U can go Fleetguard, see this thread, few posts downn, U should be able to get these easy.

Cummins Fuel Filters

I‘m due to change the fuel filters for the first time on my 2016 Ram w/6.7 Cummins (I bought it used). I’ve been running Fleetguard oil filters, so I thought I‘d use their fuel filters as well. Problem is, I can’t find any part numbers online. I’m told my truck has two fuel filters. Can anyone...

www.ramforum.com

JUST check on the part numbers and insure proper for yer Diesel, as I have not played with Diesel much, and when I did, it was either a Military M35A2, 5K generator, or my RAM ED which I no longer have. There are a lot more knowing PPL then me in this forum to assist U.

ppine · Dec 27, 2022

At 40 degrees you should have no gelling even with No 2 diesel. Go to a truck stop or good parts store and get a can of diesel additive in the big white can. It takes out water, adds cetane and helps with gelling. There is also an emergency additive in a red can. Both of these should help.

Dean2 · Dec 27, 2022

If you want to win the Darwin Award, put heat on fuel systems. Absolutely brilliant idea.

You already know the right answer, just do that.

memphisflyer · Dec 27, 2022

Thanks folks. First post here and lots of comments about my dumb idea. Perhaps I was questioning the idea too but thought some advice here might be useful. I think I'll find a forum with a few less snarky BS comments. Thanks to the folks that offered rreal advice, it's much appreciated.

Dean2 · Dec 27, 2022

Even the snarky one, and there was only one, was quality advice. There really are such things as dumb questions. You would not believe how many troll questions of this type get posted on here looking for a rise. Hope you have better luck elsewhere but you may be a tad too sensitive for social media.

Dean2 · Dec 27, 2022

Duplicate

Rado · Dec 27, 2022

memphisflyer said:
I'm relatively new to diesels. I have a 2020 3500 with the 6.7. It got down to about 1F here a few days ago and the truck won't start. I know now that I should have used an additive and I certainly will next time. My issue now is getting the truck running. The truck says to service the fuel filters so I assume the filters have thick waxing fuel all over them. Now that the temp is around 40F, can I out some heat on the filters with a heat gun and get things going? Or am I going to have to replace the filters? Any help is appreciated.

Call your local shop. There is emergency melt down called 911 I believe ! Made for when a tank jells ,, We had cases of it for all our trucks ...

911 diesel fuel additive - Yahoo Search Results

search.yahoo.com

RamDiver · Dec 27, 2022

Dean2 said:
Even the snarky one, and there was only one, was quality advice. There really are such things as dumb questions. You would not believe how many troll questions of this type get posted on here looking for a rise. Hope you have better luck elsewhere but you may be a tad too sensitive for social media.

I didn't think that was nasty and barely snarky.
I nearly spit cold coffee on the screen when I read it, though.
Thanks for the entertainment, keep it com'in please.

.

Dean2 · Dec 27, 2022

RamDiver said:
I didn't think that was nasty and barely snarky.
I nearly spit cold coffee on the screen when I read it, though.
Thanks for the entertainment, keep it com'in please.
.

I am the Contra Canadian - Not Polite, Not Humble and Rarely Apologise. Trying to change Canada's image cause with Truidiot at the helm, it really needs changing.

RamDiver · Dec 27, 2022

Dean2 said:
I am the Contra Canadian - Not Polite, Not Humble and Rarely Apologise. Trying to change Canada's image cause with Truidiot at the helm, it really needs changing.

We need more of that kind of attitude to improve our image. Please don't get me started on Trudy.

.

turkeybird56 · Dec 27, 2022

RamDiver said:
I didn't think that was nasty and barely snarky.
I nearly spit cold coffee on the screen when I read it, though.
Thanks for the entertainment, keep it com'in please.
.

It was not a Jimmy Stewart Classic, he just said what I said but maybe a bit more Direct? lol ...

turkeybird56 · Dec 27, 2022

Dean2 said:
I am the Contra Canadian - Not Polite, Not Humble and Rarely Apologise. Trying to change Canada's image cause with Truidiot at the helm, it really needs changing.

Awwwwwwwwww, U run around with a Smoky the Bear Hat and Red Jacket on, and not at Xmas time? LMAO...

WY-Dave · Dec 27, 2022

crash68 · Dec 27, 2022

Dean2 said:
If you want to win the Darwin Award, put heat on fuel systems.

You can put an open flame to raw diesel fuel and it doesn't catch immediately, the OPs idea of using a hair dryer isn't a problem but probably won't do much for the gelling. Your attempt to be snarky was ill fated.

Dean2 · Dec 27, 2022

crash68 said:
You can put an open flame to raw diesel fuel and it doesn't catch immediately, the OPs idea of using a hair dryer isn't a problem but probably won't do much for the gelling. Your attempt to be snarky was ill fated.

Raw diesel, true, even raw gas, you can toss a lit cigarette into a bucket of it at 32 F and it will just go out. HOWEVER, get vapour from either and instant ignition from open flame or even a glowing surface like the aforementioned cigarette or the heat element of a heat gun. Try the same lit cigarette into a bucket of gas at 80 F and you will immediately see what the existence of vapour causes.

Does it not enter your mind that heating diesel is likely to create volatile vapours? or are you simply focused on trying to prove the rest of us who were against using heat, wrong.

Also, like you said, the heat won't solve the waxing problem anyhow. I have started a ton of gas and diesels at -40 and colder as have others. You do learn a few things living in this climate for almost 70 years.

06 Dodge · Dec 27, 2022

memphisflyer said:
I'm relatively new to diesels. I have a 2020 3500 with the 6.7. It got down to about 1F here a few days ago and the truck won't start. I know now that I should have used an additive and I certainly will next time. My issue now is getting the truck running. The truck says to service the fuel filters so I assume the filters have thick waxing fuel all over them. Now that the temp is around 40F, can I out some heat on the filters with a heat gun and get things going? Or am I going to have to replace the filters? Any help is appreciated.

You have to change the filters because the wax crystals ruin filter media, if its still gelled you need to use Power Service 911 to help thaw it out, once running add a good dose of Power Service in the white bottle to help with water and to keep it from gelling up again. Good Lucky

GTyankee · Dec 28, 2022

What Temp Does Diesel Fuel Gel? | How to Ungel Diesel Fuel

Gelling in diesel fuel is a problem that plagues many around the country during wintertime. Read these 3 easy solutions to prevent diesel fuel gelling!

www.hotshotsecret.com

Help With Unfreezing

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