Oil & Fuel BX Fuel Gels Up Despite Additive

[rick480]

I run winter blend no additives in a BX1860 and never have had a problem. Out for hours the last few days at -10 degree temperatures.

 

[herm0016]

dont have a BX, but many hours of running diesel in the cold. we use power service and don't have issues unless its 20 below. I think its the fuel also. I would try a different station.

 

[CobyRupert]

Can you confirm if it’s fuel gelling or water freezing? Put a fuel sample in freezer and test fuel cloudiness/freeze point.
Is there only one filter?
On a warmer day, maybe draw off any water on bottom of fuel tank or in filter.

 

[5030]

Looks like Stanadyne for the win.....lol

 

[ruffdog]

Can you confirm if it’s fuel gelling or water freezing? Put a fuel sample in freezer and test fuel cloudiness/freeze point.

I have been doing that for 3 years now and I'm finding out that you can't trust how winter ready the fuel is. I ended up sucking out fuel that was testing bad (cloudy) at freezer (-3F) temps, changing the filter, and getting fuel near the interstate. I tested that fuel and it stayed clear.

 

[sandyc]

What might look like gel could be a bacteria or algae.

 

[5030]

Not in my case, I go through diesel at a pretty fast clip. 1000 gallons lasts me for a year at most. Algae has never been an issue here but I still use biocide in my bulk tank anyway.

 

[robertm]

I’m going to pull the primary filter and install the BotaProducts filter this weekend. As long as I’m changing the filter, I might as well just switch it out. I was going to hold off, as I have been thinking about looking at a new tractor. John Thomas got the last new one, now I think it’s my turn. I think I’ll cut open the primary filter and see what I find. I plan to keep it frozen until I open it up to confirm if the filter is gelled.

 

[grsthegreat]

i cant believe your service stations dont use a winter blend. we just had a bunch of -10F days here in north idaho and all my rigs started up just fine. i dont use any additives...never have in past 30 years. all gas stations use a winter blend starting in Octoberish and ending in Aprilish.

i have NEVER had a single tank gel issue.

 

[JWR]

Winter blend is unreliable. You simply cannot depend on it. If it was not done right once out of 10 times you still get screwed. Additives vary all over the place. How much is enough ? Which brand? I have said this many times on TBN -- forget all that crap and do what the heavy equipment operators on Northern Vermont do all the time in colder parts of the winter : You mix #1 in with #2 50/50. The end. Problem solved. No gel. Kerosene is #1 and all of us know #2 is plain old diesel fuel or home heating oil, same thing. You will never find a problem with your equipment because of it and you will never know the difference power wise (though you do lose a %) .

Those of you poor devils with Tier4 or excessively modern, politically correct engines -- make sure this does not void a warrantee. Better yet find someone with the same engine who has tried the 50/50 mix for many hours.