News here says lots of school bus operators are having problems with fuel
gelling in the fuel filters because of low-sulphur fuel. They can't get
enough kerosene for some reason. What's in the big containers of diesel
additives I've seen for sale at truck stops? Kerosene? Other? Not suitable
for educational (school bus) use?

On Feb 7, 7:44 am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
News here says lots of school bus operators are having problems with fuel
gelling in the fuel filters because of low-sulphur fuel. They can't get
enough kerosene for some reason. What's in the big containers of diesel
additives I've seen for sale at truck stops? Kerosene? Other? Not suitable
for educational (school bus) use?

Do they use block heaters? Additives?

Kerosene should be added at the fuel distribution point - it
is here.

They may not have the mix right - around here, it's about
18/22%.

This is the first year I haven't had a gel problem - I'm using
the Ford diesel fuel additive as opposed to the Lucas additive
I used to use in the winter. Seems to work better.

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
oups.com...

On Feb 7, 7:44 am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
News here says lots of school bus operators are having problems with fuel
gelling in the fuel filters because of low-sulphur fuel. They can't get
enough kerosene for some reason. What's in the big containers of diesel
additives I've seen for sale at truck stops? Kerosene? Other? Not
suitable
for educational (school bus) use?

Do they use block heaters? Additives?

Kerosene should be added at the fuel distribution point - it
is here.

They may not have the mix right - around here, it's about
18/22%.

This is the first year I haven't had a gel problem - I'm using
the Ford diesel fuel additive as opposed to the Lucas additive
I used to use in the winter. Seems to work better.


I haven't had any starting problems at all so far in the F-350 using ULS
fuel and no block heater. Even on the 5 degree mornings of last week it
started ok. It cranked a little slower, but fired up, shook a bit for a few
seconds, then settled in.

Takes a while to get it up to operating temperature though. Fast idle won't
do it.

Eisboch

On Feb 7, 9:10 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in ooglegroups.com...





On Feb 7, 7:44 am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
News here says lots of school bus operators are having problems with fuel
gelling in the fuel filters because of low-sulphur fuel. They can't get
enough kerosene for some reason. What's in the big containers of diesel
additives I've seen for sale at truck stops? Kerosene? Other? Not
suitable
for educational (school bus) use?

Do they use block heaters? Additives?

Kerosene should be added at the fuel distribution point - it
is here.

They may not have the mix right - around here, it's about
18/22%.

This is the first year I haven't had a gel problem - I'm using
the Ford diesel fuel additive as opposed to the Lucas additive
I used to use in the winter. Seems to work better.

I haven't had any starting problems at all so far in the F-350 using ULS
fuel and no block heater. Even on the 5 degree mornings of last week it
started ok. It cranked a little slower, but fired up, shook a bit for a few
seconds, then settled in.

Takes a while to get it up to operating temperature though. Fast idle won't
do it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The wonders of block heaters. When I start off on morning
patrol, it's warm by the time I hit the end of the road (1.3 miles)
and I've got heat in the cab 1/4 mile later.

The 7.3 is a tough start when it's cold - the preheater only
does two cylinders and when it's really cold, the truck
actually lurches until enough compression builds up to
fire off the other cylinders. With the ULS fuel, it's worse
than it used to be, so I started using the block heater.
Starts just peachy cool fine, smooth and like I said - heat
a lot faster.

The one problem I'm having with this cold snap is the
transmission - takes a while for it to warm up and shift
properly.

Maybe it's time to change the transmission oil.

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
oups.com...


The wonders of block heaters. When I start off on morning
patrol, it's warm by the time I hit the end of the road (1.3 miles)
and I've got heat in the cab 1/4 mile later.

The 7.3 is a tough start when it's cold - the preheater only
does two cylinders and when it's really cold, the truck
actually lurches until enough compression builds up to
fire off the other cylinders. With the ULS fuel, it's worse
than it used to be, so I started using the block heater.
Starts just peachy cool fine, smooth and like I said - heat
a lot faster.

The one problem I'm having with this cold snap is the
transmission - takes a while for it to warm up and shift
properly.

Maybe it's time to change the transmission oil.


Maybe. Mine shifts ok but is programmed not to go into OD until the
transmission temp is over some predetermined temperature.

The '05 (maybe other years as well) PSD block heater was an "option".
Turns out that the actual heater is installed (comes from International that
way) but Ford does not supply the wiring harness and it is what is
constitutes the "option". When I was having early problems with the truck
I asked about the optional wiring harness and they gave me one free. I have
never got around to installing it.

Knock on wood .... the problems I had with the truck (all at 12k miles or
less) seem to have been resolved. I now have almost 25k miles on it and it
has been perfect. I just hope Ford stays in business long enough to honor
the remaining warranty should any other problems occur.

Boating content: Heard from the broker yesterday. An interested buyer
returned for a second showing of the Navigator, this time bringing his wife
and daughter. According to the broker, the "decision makers" approved of
the boat, so an offer may be coming. Mixed feelings about this.

Eisboch

On Wed, 7 Feb 2007 11:30:29 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
roups.com...


The wonders of block heaters. When I start off on morning
patrol, it's warm by the time I hit the end of the road (1.3 miles)
and I've got heat in the cab 1/4 mile later.

The 7.3 is a tough start when it's cold - the preheater only
does two cylinders and when it's really cold, the truck
actually lurches until enough compression builds up to
fire off the other cylinders. With the ULS fuel, it's worse
than it used to be, so I started using the block heater.
Starts just peachy cool fine, smooth and like I said - heat
a lot faster.

The one problem I'm having with this cold snap is the
transmission - takes a while for it to warm up and shift
properly.

Maybe it's time to change the transmission oil.


Maybe. Mine shifts ok but is programmed not to go into OD until the
transmission temp is over some predetermined temperature.

The '05 (maybe other years as well) PSD block heater was an "option".
Turns out that the actual heater is installed (comes from International that
way) but Ford does not supply the wiring harness and it is what is
constitutes the "option". When I was having early problems with the truck
I asked about the optional wiring harness and they gave me one free. I have
never got around to installing it.

Knock on wood .... the problems I had with the truck (all at 12k miles or
less) seem to have been resolved. I now have almost 25k miles on it and it
has been perfect. I just hope Ford stays in business long enough to honor
the remaining warranty should any other problems occur.

Boating content: Heard from the broker yesterday. An interested buyer
returned for a second showing of the Navigator, this time bringing his wife
and daughter. According to the broker, the "decision makers" approved of
the boat, so an offer may be coming. Mixed feelings about this.

Eisboch



How does the Sprinter do on these cold mornings?
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

On Feb 7, 10:30 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in ooglegroups.com...







The wonders of block heaters. When I start off on morning
patrol, it's warm by the time I hit the end of the road (1.3 miles)
and I've got heat in the cab 1/4 mile later.

The 7.3 is a tough start when it's cold - the preheater only
does two cylinders and when it's really cold, the truck
actually lurches until enough compression builds up to
fire off the other cylinders. With the ULS fuel, it's worse
than it used to be, so I started using the block heater.
Starts just peachy cool fine, smooth and like I said - heat
a lot faster.

The one problem I'm having with this cold snap is the
transmission - takes a while for it to warm up and shift
properly.

Maybe it's time to change the transmission oil.

Maybe. Mine shifts ok but is programmed not to go into OD until the
transmission temp is over some predetermined temperature.

I wonder if that's the case with mine. Hmmm - I'll give a call
to my service manager buddy and see.

The '05 (maybe other years as well) PSD block heater was an "option".
Turns out that the actual heater is installed (comes from International that
way) but Ford does not supply the wiring harness and it is what is
constitutes the "option". When I was having early problems with the truck
I asked about the optional wiring harness and they gave me one free. I have
never got around to installing it.

Exactly. In fact, it's a bear to change the heater, but the harness
is fairly simple. I changed mine two years ago when the plug got
a little flaky - harness cost $50. Expensive little bunch of wires.

Knock on wood .... the problems I had with the truck (all at 12k miles or
less) seem to have been resolved. I now have almost 25k miles on it and it
has been perfect. I just hope Ford stays in business long enough to honor
the remaining warranty should any other problems occur.

I don't think Ford is going to go away entirely, but they have got
to get rid of the Ford family's controlling interest - they are
killing
the company.

Boating content: Heard from the broker yesterday. An interested buyer
returned for a second showing of the Navigator, this time bringing his wife
and daughter. According to the broker, the "decision makers" approved of
the boat, so an offer may be coming. Mixed feelings about this.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Know that you mean. I just received an offer on the Halman - I
really want to sail it, but I just don't have the freakin' time.

And you know that the second you sell the Navigator, you'll
be looking for another boat.

Come on - admit it. :)

"Eisboch" wrote in message
. ..
The '05 (maybe other years as well) PSD block heater was an "option".
Turns out that the actual heater is installed (comes from International
that way) but Ford does not supply the wiring harness and it is what is
constitutes the "option". When I was having early problems with the
truck I asked about the optional wiring harness and they gave me one free.
I have never got around to installing it.

I got lucky. I got my truck in NY and the dealer ordered the cord.
Unfortunately, the 6.4 is going to be the same. Below I have posted a link
that gives the instruction to install and route the block heater wire for
the 6.0.

http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articl...icle-05-20.php

Mark

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Feb 7, 9:10 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in ooglegroups.com...





On Feb 7, 7:44 am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
News here says lots of school bus operators are having problems with fuel
gelling in the fuel filters because of low-sulphur fuel. They can't get
enough kerosene for some reason. What's in the big containers of diesel
additives I've seen for sale at truck stops? Kerosene? Other? Not
suitable
for educational (school bus) use?
Do they use block heaters? Additives?
Kerosene should be added at the fuel distribution point - it
is here.
They may not have the mix right - around here, it's about
18/22%.
This is the first year I haven't had a gel problem - I'm using
the Ford diesel fuel additive as opposed to the Lucas additive
I used to use in the winter. Seems to work better.
I haven't had any starting problems at all so far in the F-350 using ULS
fuel and no block heater. Even on the 5 degree mornings of last week it
started ok. It cranked a little slower, but fired up, shook a bit for a few
seconds, then settled in.

Takes a while to get it up to operating temperature though. Fast idle won't
do it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The wonders of block heaters. When I start off on morning
patrol, it's warm by the time I hit the end of the road (1.3 miles)
and I've got heat in the cab 1/4 mile later.

The 7.3 is a tough start when it's cold - the preheater only
does two cylinders and when it's really cold, the truck
actually lurches until enough compression builds up to
fire off the other cylinders. With the ULS fuel, it's worse
than it used to be, so I started using the block heater.
Starts just peachy cool fine, smooth and like I said - heat
a lot faster.

The one problem I'm having with this cold snap is the
transmission - takes a while for it to warm up and shift
properly.

Maybe it's time to change the transmission oil.


I change my transmission oil every 30,000, and have never had any
problems, but then again, you are a tab bit colder than I am.

On Feb 7, 12:00 pm, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Feb 7, 9:10 am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in ooglegroups.com...

On Feb 7, 7:44 am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
News here says lots of school bus operators are having problems with fuel
gelling in the fuel filters because of low-sulphur fuel. They can't get
enough kerosene for some reason. What's in the big containers of diesel
additives I've seen for sale at truck stops? Kerosene? Other? Not
suitable
for educational (school bus) use?
Do they use block heaters? Additives?
Kerosene should be added at the fuel distribution point - it
is here.
They may not have the mix right - around here, it's about
18/22%.
This is the first year I haven't had a gel problem - I'm using
the Ford diesel fuel additive as opposed to the Lucas additive
I used to use in the winter. Seems to work better.
I haven't had any starting problems at all so far in the F-350 using ULS
fuel and no block heater. Even on the 5 degree mornings of last week it
started ok. It cranked a little slower, but fired up, shook a bit for a few
seconds, then settled in.

Takes a while to get it up to operating temperature though. Fast idle won't
do it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The wonders of block heaters. When I start off on morning
patrol, it's warm by the time I hit the end of the road (1.3 miles)
and I've got heat in the cab 1/4 mile later.

The 7.3 is a tough start when it's cold - the preheater only
does two cylinders and when it's really cold, the truck
actually lurches until enough compression builds up to
fire off the other cylinders. With the ULS fuel, it's worse
than it used to be, so I started using the block heater.
Starts just peachy cool fine, smooth and like I said - heat
a lot faster.

The one problem I'm having with this cold snap is the
transmission - takes a while for it to warm up and shift
properly.

Maybe it's time to change the transmission oil.

I change my transmission oil every 30,000, and have never had any
problems, but then again, you are a tab bit colder than I am.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I change mine every 60 or so and I'm at 113,000 now.

Probably before summer.