if you own a diesel

diesel can gell at 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit
A similar process takes place when diesel fuel begins to crystalize during cold weather. When the weather is close to 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit*, gelling starts to occur and can clog the fuel system (*depending on the source and quality of fuel, gelling can occur as high as 20 degrees Fahrenheit) .


stations should have a winter blend in the tanks but this far south some may not, HOWES diesel treat is great stuff to prevent it.

Good tip !!

Thanks also, going to get extra hay out today.

With today's poor quality ULSD fuel, an additive is a good idea even in Summer as you'll get a good cetane and lubricity boost as well. Several good anti-gel additives out there including Power Service, Howe's, Amsoil, etc.

Yep!
Got some of this (pic) yesterday to go into my tractor:
It (and all my fill cans) are full of 'summer blend' I stocked up on for $1.75/gal.
Guess I get to 'pay the piper' now - this stuff ain't cheap.
I run 'Stabil-diesel' in my stash year round - but ain't taking no chances - so adding this stuff just in case I need the tractor when it's -2 outside -


Edit - see post (& video below) - this stuff is NOT for preventing Gelling - only for 'after the fact'. Big Thanks out to TCM3 - stopped me before I ' dumped it in' my tractor !!

I cant argue with the gelling in cool temps, but with about 590,000 mile on our last couple that ran all their life on ULSD (no additives) and no fuel system failures, I feel confident the fuel isn't as bad as some claim. Change the fuel filters and buy from high volume stations.

Surprisingly I found Howe’s on the shelf at Auto Zone.

I can attest to the diesel jelling ... back in Dec. '89 when the low temp in Austin hit 4° F, my BIL called me from Seward Junction (east of Liberty Hill) asking if I could come get him and his work crew as his Chevy 6.2L diesel had "froze" up. He told me to NOT come in my truck (6.2L also) as it was too cold and the diesel would jell. I had Power Service treatment in one of my tanks but decided to not chance it. Went in my wife's car (gas) and picked them up, then loaned him her car to go on into Austin. Later that day I drove my truck into town (about 5 miles) and it jelled up. I then realized the truck was on the untreated tank, so I flipped the switch, used the inline hand pump (installed to fill fuel filter since it was a mechanical fuel pump) to refill the filter, and she started right up after a few cranks.

I seriously doubt there is enough treatment even in the high volume stations for temps down to those expected later in this cold snap. I haven't even added any fuel treatment into my current truck, but I might should if I need to go anywhere in the next week.

I added it to my truck yesterday. Gave the rest of the bottle to a buddy who has a diesel. We need it so rarely here I did not see keeping it in the garage. I do not know the shelf life.

I bought Lucas.

Good to know , thanks!

^^^

Oh man - thanks for posting.
After watching that (and now reading back label thoroughly) - the Diesel 911 I got states "Diesel 911 does not prevent fuel gelling'

It's good for AFTER that fact; I'm gonna hold on to it, but grab some of the other Diesel Treat while I'm out making the rounds.

block heater, will it work for this cold weather?

yes, but it won't help with the diesel jelling

when it first came out those of us that had 7.3 liter and 5.9 liter diesels used to run Power Service every tank.


Now with todays engines i don't think its necessary

I quit using fuel additives in my power stroke fords after the ‘03 6.0. Considered it snake oil. But with the temps coming, I dumped a container of Power Service in my tank today.

Glad you've had good luck with it. I was in the wholesale fuel and lubricant business for 29 years, and I know the changes in diesel fuels first hand. The newer ULSD fuels are so "dry" they have to have a lubricity additive added back in at the refinery, or at least the Alon/Delek refinery in Big Spring does, and the Magellan terminal in Odessa does as well. Minimum cetane numbers are dictated by the State of TX (48) but they do vary from batch to batch, as an MSDS sheet was provided with each load we bought.

What year make/model did you get $590k in? We had two transports with Cummins motors that had over 1M on 'em.

Anti gel additive is also added to a lot of diesel up north. They do it here in CO. No need to add anything yourself.

Mix of an early model druamax and a cummins, two trucks.

i did the same thing, just to be safe.


I have had my truck twice in temps around 10 degrees and it started both times no issues. but it was filled up with new mexico fuel so it may have had an additive in it

Likely without the DEF/smog/EGR crap?

Picked some up at Walmart today. Put some in my truck gonna service the tractors tomorrow.

My truck stays in garage at night.

Hopalong,

Thank you for posting, yesterday I bought some Howe's & treated my generator, Duramax, Tractor & my farm tank.
This cold weather & diesel gelling is Something that I just don't think about, being a lifelong E Texan.
The day before I turned my defrost on hi (Had a tiny rock chip in the window of my wifes SUV) I watched a crack go all the way across the bottom of the windshield. Thats something that my Northern Pheasant huntin buddies told me not to do, but I just didn't think anout it. (Oops).

Thanks again,
Rube

For those that didnt find any anti gel treatment check your gas stations. I am seeing some still on the shelves there as well as anti freeze which is gone just about everywhere else as well.

I have some in Plano, if anyone needs it.

I have some In Paris as well if anyone needs some.

Nah , all the stations have winter blend. Every trucker I know said no need. Il let you know if they/me are wrong .

I have seen it happen too often to trust the fuel. Last time it got me personally was in El Reno last year at 14 degrees. I also had it happen to us in North Dakota in 2009 with their so called winter blend while pumping a cement job. Thank god it was just a bulk truck and not the pump.

I don't have a diesel, but thought I remember hearing somebody say that rubbing alcohol will do in a pinch. Is that a bad idea?

I put stanadyne all weather in mine Friday evening. Went to the store yesterday about 10am and just fired it up about 20 mins ago to let it run awhile, it didn' like the crank but ran fine. We
will see in the am.

Mine is in the garage and not planning on starting it until next whenever I think the batteries need charging.

First time I’ve used the block heater in a while to, toasty 75 degree motor.

Yes very bad idea. Power Service white bottle is what I just put in mine and told my son to put a little in his truck. Like mentioned the red bottle is after the fact. Read the ingredients on these additives....no alcohol

I’m at wallymart right now. Had the engine block heater plugged in all night and the thing fired up like it was 80 degrees. First time I have ever needed it and was impressed!

Have seen 2 trucks spewing steam from under the hoods like crazy. I assume they over filled thier antifreeze.

More likely their radiator is clogged up and puked out the overflow tank.