freezing fuel filter

[madsen]

So I have had a problem this winter with a freezing fuel filter. I put it in when I installed after market lift pump. The filter is a small plastic type with a metal mesh screen ( required by the lift pump manufacturer to have a valid warranty). Its located next to the starter between it and the frame rail. Never had problems before this winter. To solve the problem I have had to double the amount of anti gel as I have normally used and add # 1 diesel to keep it from freezing and stalling .

Is there a different solution to this issue other than installing a heated fuel filter on the frame rail ?

Thanks in advance 

JOHN

Edited February 27, 2019 by JAG1

[JAG1]

I'm sorry no one answered sooner. Yes there is a better solution to what you are doing.

 

I think I'm correct in saying that the anti-gel solution dumped in the fuel is lowering the lubricity of the fuel which will cause premature wear to the injection pump. Now I could be wrong on that, but score values tested with various additives show that you should be adding 2 stroke oil (low ash TCW-3 ) to get the tested value within Bosch specs. TCW-3 has shown benefit in reducing fuel gelling in cold temps as well and would be better on the fuel system if you even added double the recommended dose of two stroke oil to help with that.

 

Second, your fuel filter is too small to be an efficient fuel filter on a diesel fuel system. It needs to be a water separating fuel filter so the lift pump doesn't get a chance to emulsify the water into the fuel causing the factory (secondary) filter less chance of separating the water out. A small filter is also more susceptable to cold when a cold engine.

 

Third, the real issue is fuel pressure when the injection pump not only needs proper lubricity, but proper level of fuel return which helps remove heat. The proper fuel pressures are never below 14 and no higher than 20 p.s.i.. This brings in the need for a proper fuel pressure gauge....... then equates to a proper lift pump capable of maintaining those pressures during heavy hauling or acceleration. Unfortunatly there are too many vendors out there that really don't have the knowledge to educate their customers about the VP44 injection pump requirements often selling inadequate upgrades on the fuel system.

 

The proper lift pump would be mounted nearer the tank on the frame for efficiency. With a proper filter between the tank and the lift pump also removing the screens in the tank pick up tube area so the filter can do its job and not clog the fuel supply itself.

 

I'm sorry you got put on the wrong track with your system. You might read some of our articles on second gen fuel systems to get a better understanding and I'm hoping others will chime in to help you as well.

 

Welcome to the forum BTW, there is a great community of good folks around here that tend to gravitate away from grouchy forums LOL

[Mopar1973Man]

You need to consider a full AirDog or FASS system. Personally, I would suggest AirDog and make sure to locate the pump away from the damage path of the front tires. When a pump is constantly splashed with water and snow eventually the water gets inside the motor and will freeze and lock it up. The constant blowing of cold air on the filters because they hang down in the cold wind will pull the heat out of the fuel adding to gelling issues. I've customized my AirDog to be tucked behind the transfer case. Never once have a gelled yet. I don't use any anti-gel products and been as low as -40*F with no issues. 
 

The few FASS system I've installed in this area has had multiple issues with gelling and freezing up now because there is nowhere to mount that huge fuel system out of the damage path of the front tires. Mostly ranch trucks or business trucks flatbeds beds. 

 

 

Like this would gell very quickly.

[AH64ID]

Do you have a part number for the filter you are using?

 

Has this been an issue for multiple tanks of fuel? Or just after one fill-up?

[NIsaacs]

Are you using something like this? https://www.genosgarage.com/product/na-33007-inlinefuelfilter/fuel-filters

If you are I would guess that is your problem. As far as wind chill having an affect on fuel, I don't think so. Only warm blooded animals/people. 

[AH64ID]

33 minutes ago, NIsaacs said:

As far as wind chill having an affect on fuel, I don't think so. Only warm blooded animals/people. 

 

Ding ding ding!!!!

 

It's an apparent effect on living tissue. 

[madsen]

WOW

Great replies Thanks for all the responses. I will attempt to answer questions. I have a pressure gage mounted on top of factory fuel filter. It reads 18 -14 pounds except when it is having the gelling issues it is , Then it reads zero . I always add the 2 cycle oil at fill up.The problem is constant  when cold and not just a single tank . I buy my fuel at the same place . The lift pump is a FASS  DRP series.

The question I had was ideas about how to keep this filter from freezing.The mount position is vertical. The filter is required, I believe, to keep large pieces from entering the lift pump and causing damage not to protect the injection pump.The dodge engine fuel filter is doing that job.The FASS documentation says I will need to change the small filter every 6,000 miles. I was unhappy when I had to install the impossibly small filter in a bad location ! 

I have had to replace the injection pump because of the lack of pressure associated with the factory lift pump. Love my truck and the fuel mileage is great but this fuel gelling issue is a frustrating new issue !

I want to fix the problem and not cause more damage or add more complexity to my Dodge.

JOHN

[Mad Bomber]

19 hours ago, JAG1 said:

I'm sorry no one answered sooner. Yes there is a better solution to what you are doing.

 

I think I'm correct in saying that the anti-gel solution dumped in the fuel is lowering the lubricity of the fuel which will cause premature wear to the injection pump. Now I could be wrong on that, but score values tested with various additives show that you should be adding 2 stroke oil (low ash TCW-3 ) to get the tested value within Bosch specs. TCW-3 has shown benefit in reducing fuel gelling in cold temps as well and would be better on the fuel system if you even added double the recommended dose of two stroke oil to help with that.

 

 

The TCW 3 is only for the 2nd Gen trucks not for the common rail starting 2003

[AH64ID]

1 hour ago, madsen said:

WOW

Great replies Thanks for all the responses. I will attempt to answer questions. I have a pressure gage mounted on top of factory fuel filter. It reads 18 -14 pounds except when it is having the gelling issues it is , Then it reads zero . I always add the 2 cycle oil at fill up.The problem is constant  when cold and not just a single tank . I buy my fuel at the same place . The lift pump is a FASS  DRP series.

The question I had was ideas about how to keep this filter from freezing.The mount position is vertical. The filter is required, I believe, to keep large pieces from entering the lift pump and causing damage not to protect the injection pump.The dodge engine fuel filter is doing that job.The FASS documentation says I will need to change the small filter every 6,000 miles. I was unhappy when I had to install the impossibly small filter in a bad location ! 

I have had to replace the injection pump because of the lack of pressure associated with the factory lift pump. Love my truck and the fuel mileage is great but this fuel gelling issue is a frustrating new issue !

I want to fix the problem and not cause more damage or add more complexity to my Dodge.

JOHN

 

 

What are you using for anti-gel?

 

Are the temps well below normal?

[NIsaacs]

You might consider the direct mount Raptor pump, they claim no pre filter needed.

 

Quick video of a cool start of the day, 36* overnight. This is with RV injectors with 290k miles, installed in '03, 326k miles on the original VP, Edge Juice set on level 2 (tow mode).

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioah3CXPVmI

[madsen]

I use Total Power anti gel as it was recommended by the local Cummins dealer.

Temperatures have been low of -14 at the coldest .Truck has not had issues in the past at -25 using the same fuel station and no antigel.

Temperature on Saturday night is projected to be -20 !

THe truck does not struggle to start at those temperatures just refuses to keep running !

John

[AH64ID]

Maybe try a new fuel station and/or anti-gel. 

 

Have you tried changing the filter? 

 

 

[NIsaacs]

Are you using this type of filter? Note the micron rating, 141, it is just a screen some are actual filters that may be too fine.

 

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=3270&q=N%3D2500660%26Nty%3D1%26Ntk%3DKeyword%26Ntt%3D3270&isProduct=true&indices=PIA

 

Such as this one, it is 3/8" but has a filter v/s just a screen, it is for gas only. They come in metal too, just like the top one so they can confuse you.

 

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=3003&q=N%3D1000016000%26Nty%3D1%26Ntk%3DKeyword%26Ntt%3D3003&isProduct=true&indices=PIA

 

FYI, I did not have any luck with the DDRP, lasted less than a summer.

Edited February 28, 2019 by NIsaacs

[madsen]

Wix 33007 filter 

Its intended to catch large chunks that do harm to the pump.

Sorry your DRP pump did not last.

No I have not changed the filter as it appears to be clean.

John 

[AH64ID]

While 50 microns isn't all that fine, that's a really small filter for 50 microns at DDRP flow. 

 

I would change the filter, and then try a new fuel station. 

 

Is there any change that the fuel is B5-B20? It's much harder to treat biodiesel and it gel's much easier. 

[Mopar1973Man]

Biodiesel tend to separate the bio part and sink to the bottom. Kind of like cold bacon grease. As far as I know there isn't any product that can deal with solid biodiesel.

[NIsaacs]

6 minutes ago, AH64ID said:

While 50 microns isn't all that fine, that's a really small filter for 50 microns at DDRP flow. 

 

I would change the filter, and then try a new fuel station.

 

I agree, I would go with the Napa 3270 and see if that helps. 

[AH64ID]

44 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 As far as I know there isn't any product that can deal with solid biodiesel.

 

Some anti-gel products work with bio, and some don't. 

[Mad Bomber]

1 hour ago, AH64ID said:

While 50 microns isn't all that fine, that's a really small filter for 50 microns at DDRP flow. 

 

I would change the filter, and then try a new fuel station. 

 

Is there any change that the fuel is B5-B20? It's much harder to treat biodiesel and it gel's much easier. 

50 microns is big my filter is a 3 micron on my fuel

[dripley]

42 minutes ago, Mad Bomber said:

50 microns is big my filter is a 3 micron on my fuel

On the small pre pump filter?