charter breakdown

CrabbyMilton · January 31, 2019, 04:56:38 AM

It says that the fuel turned to jelly.
I wonder what kind of coach this is? I say either a TEMSA, SETRA or one of these new Chinese builders coming in.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/21-Passengers-Left-Without-Heat-on-Disabled-Charter-Bus-on-I-55-505116181.html

richard5933 · January 31, 2019, 05:44:38 AM

My guess is that the bus was fueled somewhere in the south with diesel not properly mixed to function in the extreme cold. Happened to me the first winter I owned my step van which had come to me from St. Louis in a subzero January. Couldn't even start the thing to get it off the trailer.

oldmansax · January 31, 2019, 07:09:10 AM

Back when I owned and drove trucks for a living, I ran Canada for 3 winters. Probably a lot here know what I learned the hard way but here are a few things that may help some.

1. Always treat your fuel. I know you think you're are getting a run to Miami but you may end up in Halifax, NS by "mistake". Fuel treatment ain't that expensive, and it is certainly less expensive than your funeral after you freeze to death.

2. Power Service makes excellent fuel treatments and they have one that will fix your fuel after you didn't treat it and it gells up. It will be very expensive once people find out your fuel is already gelled and you can't get the truck started.

3. Run all the engines enough to fill all fuel lines, filters, etc. with treated fuel BEFORE it gets cold.

4. If the temp is going to be 10F or below, never shut the engine off. I know the DD guys says you can't idle the 2 strokes but I ran an 8V93 and and 8V71 two years from November to March and never shut it or the Thermoking off except for maintenance. No fast idle back then either. That old Detroit looked like it was burning greasy rags when I took off but it cleared up after about 20 miles or so.

5. Use wheel chocks and don't apply the parking brakes. The shoes will freeze to the drums and it's nearly impossible to thaw them without heat.

6. I used alcohol in the air lines. I didn't have air dryers back then so alcohol was the only solution. If you keep your dryers serviced, alcohol may not be necessary now. My '72 MC7 had an alcohol injector standard from the factory and it worked very nicely. I'd carry some anyway.

7. Try to park back to the wind and use an adjustable winter front to close the radiator. I have also used mobile home skirting around the bus to keep the wind out(kinda).

8. If you disregard all of the above and you find yourself stranded in 0F weather with the fuel gelled and engine & batteries cold, VERY SMALL campfires under the engine and fuel tank(s) for about 4 hours will liquefy the fuel and warm the engine and batteries enough to get you started. DISCLAIMER: If you disregard the "SMALL FIRE" instructions above and build larger fires because you are cold and in a hurry to deliver your load, you will set fire to your truck and the shop you are parked next too. Then the mechanic will not work on your truck anymore. I have no personal experience with that but was told about it later.

9. As others have already said, the very best remedy for cold weather is start your vehicle BEFORE it gets cold and drive south until the external thermometer reads 50F or better. You can then disregard all of the above.

Stay warm!

TOM

chessie4905 · January 31, 2019, 08:04:09 AM

Back in the 80,s, I drove olds diesels. Bought some fuel antigel additive and ran it in fuel in a little excess proportion. -14 degree morning, almost didn't make it to work because of fuel gelling. After that, I ran straight kerosene in Jan and Feb. No problems after that. The local fuel dealer wouldn't add antigel to their fuel till AFTER the first sub zero cold snap after scores of trucks left stranded. Not so any more. They now add it much earlier and jack their diesel price 10 to 15 cents a gallon.

DoubleEagle · January 31, 2019, 03:12:15 PM

40% Kerosene mixed in will do the job, 100% will be overkill and expensive.

buswarrior · January 31, 2019, 04:04:11 PM

The glory of a 2 stroke engine is the large amount of fuel that rotates back to the fuel tank, bringing warmth with it...

Many buses enjoy a protected fuel tank location, so any warmth in the fuel doesn't get whipped away by the breeze.

If you gell up, it is the fuel filter that is now blocked with cold waxy deposits.

Heat to the fuel filter, and a huge dose of anti-gel to the fuel tank to get it going again.

Charcoal in a garbage can lid gives a controlled heat source... those 2' x 2' heavy plywood boards I advocate a busnut have to park on in grassy terrain make good wind blocks leaned up against the coach with some more cardboard to block the wind...

Of course all the garbage can lids are plastic now...

Chemistry is KING. Anti-gel the fuel BEFORE you freeze up.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

chessie4905 · February 01, 2019, 04:55:59 AM

https://www.google.com/search?q=metal+garbage+cans&oq=metal+garbage&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l2.8059j0j8&client=tablet-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
Back in 80's and early 90's, kerosene was same price or cheaper than diesel. Now, they screw you when you buy off road kerosene for home use. Close to 75 cents a gallon more in winter, even with no road tax.

Geoff · February 01, 2019, 07:10:56 AM

I have a Racor FG 1000 with a heating element. I have no idea how good it would work with gelled fuel coming out of the tank, since I've never installed it or been in such cold weather to need it.

dtcerrato · February 04, 2019, 02:24:15 AM

We ran a big heated Racor on our 671 for over 25 years & never had water in the bowl. The heater ran when it was cold enough but never cold enough to gel fuel in the tank. We finally did away with it (still have it and is available for just the cost to ship). I can post specifics if anyone is interested in the unit.