What Clogs Fuel Filters When the Temperature is Low on a Vehicle That Uses Diesel Fuel?

Fuel filters are essential for maintaining the health of your vehicle’s engine. When it comes to engines that run on diesel, you have to be even more cautious to ensure that your vehicle keeps running smoothly. It is also important to use the right filters made by original equipment manufacturers. For instance, check the 6.7 Cummins oil filter part number and compare it with the user manual to get the right option. Let’s review how you can maintain engine health in winter! 

What Clogs Fuel Filters of Diesel Engines during Winter? 

Diesel engines are known for their high performance and power. To ensure that these engines keep performing at peak capacity, you should change the fuel filter regularly. It is important to remember that fuel filters can get clogged and need to be replaced on time to protect the engine. If the filter remains clogged for a long time, the engine’s performance will be affected greatly. 

When the temperature drops down, a process called diesel fuel gelling occurs. It happens when the paraffin wax in the diesel begins to thicken and crystallize. When the fuel becomes gel-like, it will lose its ability to flow smoothly through the fuel system. The paraffin wax crystals can clog the entire fuel system, including the fuel filter. The engine’s performance will also be impacted once the fuel stops flowing smoothly. 

Signs Your Fuel System is Clogged

If the fuel system gets clogged in winter, you should look for these signs to make sure the culprit is gelled diesel: 

• Your vehicle starts but doesn’t run for long before shutting down. 
• White smoke comes out from the exhaust when you try to accelerate. 
• The engine turns off when the vehicle is idle. 

Once you notice these signs, you should start working on a solution to save the engine from damage. 

How to Thaw Gelled Diesel? 

If the diesel in your vehicle is crystallized, you can use engine block heaters to thaw it. You can also move your vehicle to a warm place to get the diesel to return to its liquid state. Another way to thaw the gelled diesel is by adding an anti-gel additive to the fuel tank. 

How to Prevent Diesel Gelling? 

If you live in a cold climate, you should be familiar with the techniques used to keep the diesel from gelling. 

Warm Storage

Keep your vehicle in a heated garage to protect it from the freezing cold. 

Block Heater

A block heater directly connects to your engine and warms its coolant to prevent diesel gelling. 

Light Bulbs

You can also place light bulbs under your vehicle to fix the problem. The heat emitted from the bulbs will keep your engine warm and prevent diesel gelling. 

How to Fix a Clogged Filter? 

Although you can thaw gelled diesel, there’s no way to fix a clogged fuel filter. Modern fuel filters can be cleaned from the outside with water or washcloths. However, if the fuel filter gets clogged, the best solution would be to replace it. 

Make sure to buy OEM fuel filters to ensure the health of your vehicle’s engine. You can look for the 6.7 Cummins oil filter part number online or in your vehicle’s user manual and then search for the relevant product online. At Buy4Less, you can view the part number of each filter on its product page. 

Buy4Less offers original fuel filters from Motorcraft, Mopar, and Fleetguard for turbo diesel engines of Ford and Dodge Ram trucks. You can enjoy discounted prices when you order fuel filters from Buy4Less. The filter will be delivered to your doorstep quickly so you can ensure the smooth running of your diesel engine. 

Ensure Engine Health Throughout the Year! 

When the temperature drops down, you will have to worry about the snow piling up in the driveway. Apart from shoveling the snow, you should also ensure that your vehicle’s fuel system isn’t clogged. If the diesel has turned into gel because of the low temperature, you will have to warm it up to get your vehicle on the road. You should also replace the clogged fuel filter to keep your engine protected from the contaminants in the fuel. Order your fuel filter from Buy4Less today to enjoy smooth rides in your truck! 

FAQs

What causes a fuel filter to clog? 

Fuel filters protect the engine of a vehicle from the contaminants in the fuel. When the contaminants accumulate on the filter, it will get clogged. A clogged fuel filter can reduce fuel economy and negatively impact the performance of the engine. 

What happens to diesel fuel when it gets too cold? 

When the weather gets too cold, diesel fuel can turn into a gel-like substance due to the paraffin wax in it. Once the paraffin wax gets crystallized the entire fuel system will get clogged.