Is there something you can put into your tank to keep water from getting in there? This is my first diesel and during these real cold nights, I am wondering if the diesel could gel. Or am I way off?
Thanks,
Joe

 

Various companies make diesel fuel additives. There are mediocre ones on the shelf of most auto parts stores, and really good ones at truck dealers and truck stops. Water isn't so much of an issue (your fuel filter will remove that and your water in fuel light will tell you if a lot has been removed), and usually your local fuel stations will be providing fuel blended for the expected conditions, but the additives can give you peace of mind, or correct a discovered problem (water; warm weather fuel but it got cold out; etc.)

The diesel itself doesn't turn gelatinous, what happens as the temperatures drop is that the paraffin in the fuel precipitates out. These particles are too big to fit through your fuel filter, and eventually clog it. That's why modern fuel filters contain heaters, in order to put the most heat into the fuel where it is most needed. The additives simply lower this "cloud point" temperature of the fuel.

Duncan

 

You're not way off. Disiel tends to gel around 32 F I think. There are lots of products that are supposed to help with that. The most available is the white bottle of Diesel Kleen you can pick up at you local Super-Walmart. (Is there anything you can't buy there now?) I have no idea how well it works, or even if you need it. There is a fuel heater in the fuel bowl that is supposed to make it all ok. That and the fuel water seperator. I've done some cold starts below freezing and never had any problems. (Especially after I cycle the plugs...with my miles I know there are some bad ones.) The beast doesn't fire up like it's 90 F outside, but it works. It's supposed to get down to around 18 F, which in Texas is damn cold, so I'm going to plug it in and see if it makes any difference.

 

depends on what blend of fuel you have, some might gel around 32f, I use howes fuel conditioner, but it smells like pine-oil, but gets the job done.

 

Most #2 fuel will start to cloud closer to 12 degrees, but I have seen numbers as high as 20 also. It depends on the refining of the fuel. It has been down to -12 degrees today here is South Dakota, and I am running #2 with no winter blend and I am also running Power Service white bottle in my semi, but not in my pickup. Semis have much better fuel heating systems than pickups do. I have been hauling gas and fuel for over 15 years, so I know a little about this. I also know that I have never been cold and gelled running #1 fuel, so don't be afraid to use it if you are not sure. It costs more, but can mean the difference between getting somewhere and paying a little more for less power and poor mileage, or sitting along the road shivering.
In my pickup I use one tank with #2 and the other tank with #1. Just switch depending on the expected temps. Stanadyne goes in every tank.

More tidbits on fuel:
Winter blend is a mixture of #2 and #1. Some places will try additives. I like to mix my own blend, but would recommend trusting the place you buy fuel, but be watching for extreme cold snaps.

Howes has a following mainly because they yell louder than most companies about the "no gel guarantee". From what I have read (not a lot) I don't know if it is better or not. Stanadynes web site says not.

There is NO difference between dyed (red) fuel and clear fuel in almost every case. The rare case is high sulfur fuel which is nothing more than what we were buying 10 or so years ago. It won't hurt your engine, but it will hurt your pocket book badlyif you are caught. Don't use it. But it sure looks tempting when all those taxes aren't added in to the price! BTW, all it takes is a license plate to get your fuel checked. Just because they aren't commercial plates doesn't matter to the tax people.

I don't post alot, I am here to learn, and it has been great! I will gladly post on this topic if I see a need, but most people are pretty close from what I have read.

Merry Christmas (not happy holidays),

Diesel Truck Driver

 

Diesel Truck Driver,
Just wanted to ask you have you heard of mixing 1 gallon unleaded gasoline with 50 gals. #2 Diesel to make your own winterizer? Was told this trick by an oldtimer don't know if it works but he swore by it and he was a diesel mechanic of the old school.

KitsKid

 

Keep in mind all those "old school" tricks of mixing stuff with diesel (gasoline, ATF, etc.) were used with "old school" engines. It just doesn't seem worth following old trucker's tales on weird mixtures on your expensive new high-tech diesel. The International engineers must cringe when they hear what kind of stuff people want to dump into their babies. If you absoluely must put something in there besides diesel (which is generally *already* treated for the prevailing weather conditions), there are numerous well-engineered additive products on the market that are made and tested specifically for use as diesel additives (whereas gasoline and ATF are most certainly not!)

Duncan

 

Absolutely never ever for any reason use gasoline in a diesel. Just had this discussion with our SAR squad in a diesel sno cat. I told them the same thing when asked why not do that. Gasoline vapors ignite violently, fuel combusts under compression. The difference is similar to using ether in a glow plug engine, which we have. Gasoline is not as bad as ether, but when the vapors get around your red hot glow plugs, guess what.
This is not to mention what it can do to your expensive injectors, fuel pump etc. The additives that are made for this stuff aren't much more than ATF or a gallon of gas, so why even bother? Use what is made to work with the engines we have.

Just Say No!

 

As an addition to my last post, this is based on a few years as a gas engine mechanic, and being around this fuel stuff over the last several years. I am not a diesel mechanic, and these are my opinions. Kwik and others are far better with these engines, I am commenting on the fuel only.

 

I just thought I would ask that question. I would never put anything but diesel in my 6.0. I like it just the way it is and it cost too much to replace. I agree with everything you said Diesel Truck Driver.

Merry Christmas, from North Texas
Jesus is the reason for the season.

KitsKid