Diesel additive for the cold

[RJI]

Been hearing different things from people on additive for diesel fuel so it wont gel due to cold...
My machine is in a barn with no heat or insulation...
Do I need to add anything to the fuel or is it ok without...
if I do need additive, what is it I'm looking for... thanks

 

[prevent]

This is what i use year round, prevents gelling up and also lubricates. Reason I do year round is so i don't forget in the winter months it's just a habit now every time i get diesel in the 5 gallon jugs.

Howes Lubricator

1oz every 5gallons. I know the stations up here switch to winter blend but it's an $8 bottle and so far has lasted 2 years.

 

[buickanddeere]

It all depends on the fuel if it's summer or winter and if the tractor has a fuel heater. Winter #1 fuel will have some or all of the wax removed at the refinery.
On a somewhat related topic. If there is power in the barn. Pre-heating the engine with a block heater in winter weather reduces starting stress.
It appears that about 17F is the normal low end cold temps for the area. Brisk but much more livable than the northern and plains states.
Opinions vary about adding elixirs, potions, lotions and tonics to the various reservoirs of machines.

 

[DT86]

Get ready for a vast array of answers.

I use Howes Diesel Treat or Power Service in the white bottle. Both have served me well.

It's cheap insurance against having to walk home in the cold.

If you do have a gelling problem, Power Service in the red bottle is what you'll need to get things free again. I like to keep some on hand.

 

[Lawnranger]

Most places in the North already have added to the fuel to keep it moving in the cold, but with that said I have never taken a chance and always use a product called Power Save, PS in big letters on a white bottle. It is cheap insurance against gel and helps keep parts lubricated. Any of them should be fine, just follow the directions on the bottle for the right mix. Plus if we prepare for the cold maybe it won't be so bad this year! Good luck.

 

[3930dave]

Fuel quality/water management - buy from a high-volume station, keep equipment tanks full.

Keep filters changed per maintenance sched, keep a spare on hand for emergencies. Drain separator if equipped.

Some decent products and other points raised in this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/284226-diesel-fuel-additive-yanmar-engine.html

Bad cold snap - use a block heater, + generator if no AC in barn.

Rgds, D.

Edit - important to recognize that Winter fuel additive products generally fall into 2 categories:

1) Use every fillup, all Winter.

2) Use only for gelling (no-start) conditions.

Don't use 2) all the time.

D.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Im further north but have definitely had gelling problems with winter diesel. No issues with Power Service winter stuff.

 

[Looking4new]

I mostly use my tractor in the winter and I use 1 OZ of Power Service (white container) to 5 Gallons of fuel every time I refuel the tank.

 

[PhysAssist]

I mostly use my tractor in the winter and I use 1 OZ of Power Service (white container) to 5 Gallons of fuel every time I refuel the tank.

We use our tractor all year round, but the F-350 Diesel mostly gets used in winter for plowing.

Last year, as the weather changed early and caught us with an untreated mixture of summer and winter diesel in the tank, so it took 2 days in the barn with the kerosene heater running and aimed under it and the battery charger on it, to get it to start,

Then we added the Power Service white and didn't have any trouble again with starting until I fumbled and dropped the keys into a 3' drift of fresh powder.

Thank God for our HF magnetic pickup tool, it made finding them a whole lot easier.

 

[buickanddeere]

Only additive winter diesel needs is a dose of Isoprpal Alcohol IPA to absorb moisture and prevent freezing the fuel filter.

 

[oldpilgrim]

This is what i use year round, prevents gelling up and also lubricates. Reason I do year round is so i don't forget in the winter months it's just a habit now every time i get diesel in the 5 gallon jugs.

Howes Lubricator

1oz every 5gallons. I know the stations up here switch to winter blend but it's an $8 bottle and so far has lasted 2 years.

i could have written that.

 

[msb1766]

I use Power Service, White bottle for winter and there Gray bottle in the rest of the year.

 

[JJZ 109]

Always used Power Service - white bottle or Howe's when I had a 1997 Powerstroke. It was a seasonal use truck that sat all winter so I also used an additive that prevented algae when I shut down business for the winter. I then switched to Ford Anti Gel & Performance Improver when I saw gallon cans on sale at United Auto.
I've since sold the truck and went to a gasser but will continue to use the Ford stuff in my Bobcat S185 until it's used up. Then I've got some Howe's left to use up.

 

[George2615]

I use Power Service (white bottle). I buy #2 HHO dyed diesel <15PPM ULSD in bulk (275 gallon tank). ULSD is all we can get here and works fine in my tier 4 tractor which requires ULSD anyway.
Tanks are outside and I add PS before having them filled. Tractor is parked in a semi heated garage kept at 45*F so easy starts and fuel doesn't gel. I've been using this fuel for past 12 years without problems. Prior to that I bought #2 diesel at the pump and used PS additive.
Since you are in a similar climate but your tractor is in an unheated barn I'd add extra PS and possible even run #1 diesel or a mix of #1 & #2 diesel to prevent fuel gelling.
I've heard Howes additive is good too but have never used it.

 

[jaydee325]

I work at a nuclear power plant. Of course we have our emergency diesel generators (2.5 MW). The two 10,000 gallon fuel tanks are outside in unheated enclosures. We also have many emergency response vehicles and equipment that is either outside or in unheated buildings. We don't use any fuel additives. We asked our fuel vendor about the need for additives. The vendor provided analytical facts that showed that the seasonal blend of fuel he provides do not need any additives for our seasons.

Back in the day when I was a heavy equipment mechanic, the brands of equipment that the dealerships I worked at represented did not recommend additives either. No recommendation for additive in my tractors owners manual. I don't use anything for my diesel. I add SeaFoam to my gas cans to combat the affects of our gasoline blends only.

 

[dirt ditch]

I don't use a lot of fuel through the year so only have three 5 gallon cans of diesel in reserve. If the cans are filled when the coop has winterized diesel at the pump I don't add anything. In December when I still have unused summer diesel in the tractor, skid steer, and cans I add an ounce of Howes Lubricator Diesel Treat to each 5 gallons. Never had any issues so far.

 

[Jaeger]

I second the Howse products

Just saw them for sale in the local Tractor Supply today. I usually get mine through the NAPA if not in stock they get it for you in a day or 2.

Good stuff holds up to Canadian winters.

 

[herringchoker]

I also recommend Howes. Years ago it got me out of a mess with bad fuel in a highway truck and I have been using it ever since.

 

[jodebg]

I use Stanadyne Performance Plus in all seasons. Have had very good luck with this product.

 

[larry1965]

I use Power Service gray bottle in the summer and Power Service white in winter. I have noticed the label on the white bottle says not for use above 32 degrees. Several times I did not use the entire tank of fuel before spring, but have noticed no change in the engine operation. Don't know if this is a concern or not.