Insulation for frozen fuel system

Navymartin · Dec 8, 2010

Hi, It has fallen to -25 in the Highlands and my M Reg 90 Defender 300Tdi is suffering from frozen fuel system and will not start. When I have defrosted the lift pump and the fuel filter the Landy finally starts and it takes ages to warm up due to fuel starvation (I do not have a fuel sedimenter fitted to this model). Is anyone aware of a way to insulate the fuel system to stop this problem as I am a volunteer to assist with people trapped by the bad weather and at the moment I can not help. Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Sean · Dec 8, 2010

put some unleaded in the tank

Navymartin · Dec 8, 2010

Hi Sean, thanks for the quick reply. I put about 5% in today do you think that is enough, hopefully this will work

pos · Dec 8, 2010

Sean is on the money. It is a well known trick to put a couple of litres of petrol into a diesel tank in colder climates to prevent it from waxing. 2-4 litres should be enough in a 45-50 litre tank of diesel so long as it gets well mixed in. Then, when you start the engine, allow it to draw the fuel through the lines (all be it slowly at first) until the petro-diesel mix has worked its way into the system. It should then start first time every time.

-Pos

jai_landrover · Dec 8, 2010

Its a quick fix but too much will knacker your inj pump seals.

The Afghans used to light fires under the sump and after about 2 hours set off!

Navymartin · Dec 8, 2010

Thanks POS, it is about -20 at the moment, I will let you know how/if it starts tomorrow. This frozen fuel problem is my first use of the Site, it has been very informative, thanks all.

pos · Dec 8, 2010

Another alternative is to keep your landy in a garage / shed that is kept at just above freezing point.

-Pos

landrover11019 · Dec 8, 2010

My dad used to put parrifin in his lorries, not as bad for the engine as petrol.

Sean · Dec 8, 2010

you can run up to 20% unleaded /tank this weather - it'll take many 10s of 1000s of miles to cause any noticeable wear

welcome to LZ

Navymartin · Dec 8, 2010

Luxury

I wish I had one, it looks like unleaded for me.

Navymartin · Dec 8, 2010

Wow you all message to fast for me to reply!! thanks again Sean

pos · Dec 8, 2010

Navymartin said:
Wow you all message to fast for me to reply!! thanks again Sean

It's because none of our landy's will start so we're all stuck on here

Parafin is a safer bet than petrol as suggested if you are overly bothered. Another thing to check is whether or not you have any water in the fuel tank which is freezing up. Naturally, it will sit at the bottom of the fuel tank and if it's frozen solid, you wont be getting any fuel up your pickup pipe towards the lift pump - you'd have to have a lot of water in there for it to do that mind!

-Pos

Griffdowg · Dec 8, 2010

Very interesting thread.

I read that in Siberia they just leave them running all winter

when they stop to eat, fuel up, go to sleep. engine runs 24/7.

I have started mine up in the past and locked the door with another key and gone back inside the house! leave it warm up a little

but I guess that does not help your waxing problem.

Out of interest, are you having any other problems with the 300tdi in these conditions?

G

pos · Dec 8, 2010

Griffdowg said:
Very interesting thread.

I read that in Siberia they just leave them running all winter when they stop to eat, fuel up, go to sleep. engine runs 24/7.

I have started mine up in the past and locked the door with another key and gone back inside the house! leave it warm up a little but I guess that does not help your waxing problem.

Out of interest, are you having any other problems with the 300tdi in these conditions?

G

They must have some very well glazed bores with all that idling! I don't leave my engine running unless it is being worked (that is besides 30 seconds after stopping to let the turbo spool down and traffic of course). I wonder if they have a mechanism or a system which puts a load on the engine (like a generator) to keep it working hmm

-Pos

Griffdowg · Dec 8, 2010

pos said:
They must have some very well glazed bores with all that idling! I don't leave my engine running unless it is being worked (that is besides 30 seconds after stopping to let the turbo spool down and traffic of course). I wonder if they have a mechanism or a system which puts a load on the engine (like a generator) to keep it working hmm

-Pos

I dont think they are really that bothered!

G

storm99 · Dec 8, 2010

They do this in Greenland too..if it stops, it is an arse to start again..

blue beasty · Dec 8, 2010

heating oil works as well....though customs and excise will be ****ed if they find out!

jak1471 · Dec 9, 2010

Kerosene would be your best bet. Thats if you can get hold of it. Jet A1 freezes at about -48'C. And you could get away with running it nearly neat.

Insulation for frozen fuel system

Navymartin

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Sean

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blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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