Goldenrod 496 fuel water filter no good in the cold?

[screamin400]

Have had a 500 gallon diesel tank for a few years and all going great. Run tons of additives in the winter with zero issues. Last year I thought it might be a good idea to put the goldenrod water filter on it just as added protection. Everything worked great. We never got as cold as usual.
This year went the other way. I changed out the filter just before winter and all was good. We then went below zero for a couple of days. Went to fill my tractor and it could not pump. Changed the filter again and it pumped about 1/2 a cup. Took that filter out and put in another one just to rule out a bad filter. Got the same results. Had to take the filter out to fill the tractor. I had to fill the tractor twice in this temp and had no issues running.
Today we warmed up and I put a new filter back in and ran the nozzle back into the tank to see what I may catch. Ran it for almost 3 hours. Took filter out and put in another new one. Cut open the old filter and found nothing. No dirt. No water. No water in the bottom of the bowl at any time in the time I have had this setup installed.
My question is can this filter not flow really cold diesel? I fell I have no water as tractor runs fine. We hit 10 below and never missed a beat. Is the filter so small that the pariffins cannot go through it when below zero? What would work better? I have enough additive to not want to add anymore and go overboard. What have you guys seen?

 

[RjCorazza]

Have had a 500 gallon diesel tank for a few years and all going great. Run tons of additives in the winter with zero issues. Last year I thought it might be a good idea to put the goldenrod water filter on it just as added protection. Everything worked great. We never got as cold as usual.
This year went the other way. I changed out the filter just before winter and all was good. We then went below zero for a couple of days. Went to fill my tractor and it could not pump. Changed the filter again and it pumped about 1/2 a cup. Took that filter out and put in another one just to rule out a bad filter. Got the same results. Had to take the filter out to fill the tractor. I had to fill the tractor twice in this temp and had no issues running.
Today we warmed up and I put a new filter back in and ran the nozzle back into the tank to see what I may catch. Ran it for almost 3 hours. Took filter out and put in another new one. Cut open the old filter and found nothing. No dirt. No water. No water in the bottom of the bowl at any time in the time I have had this setup installed.
My question is can this filter not flow really cold diesel? I fell I have no water as tractor runs fine. We hit 10 below and never missed a beat. Is the filter so small that the pariffins cannot go through it when below zero? What would work better? I have enough additive to not want to add anymore and go overboard. What have you guys seen?

I have never experienced any issues with several different types of Goldenrod filters. Are you using the water block type, or particulate only? I have had a Goldenrod spin on water block filter lock up solid (and suddenly) on a slug of water.
As to paraffins, that should not be a problem if the fuel appears clear. "Cloud Point" is the term, and the fuel will be noticably cloudy. The filter WILL clog eventually with clouded fuel.

 

[screamin400]

It is very cloudy at that temp. Never had an issue above zero but when we dipped below the filter gave up. This is a water block filter.

 

[Cycledude]

Check how fine the filter is rated to filter, we experienced a similar problem when it was much below zero the pump pumped very slow, talked to the filter place and they said the filter was to fine for the extreme cold, they recommended a different number filter and we installed that and the very slow pumping issue disappeared and never came back.

The fuel tank used to be inside a non heated building and we never experienced any trouble there, it wasn’t until we moved the fuel tank outside at a different location where the slow pumping issues started.

 

[screamin400]

I think you are spot on. I am betting this filter is for gas or diesel and cannot handle the cold.

 

[screamin400]

Check how fine the filter is rated to filter, we experienced a similar problem when it was much below zero the pump pumped very slow, talked to the filter place and they said the filter was to fine for the extreme cold, they recommended a different number filter and we installed that and the very slow pumping issue disappeared and never came back.

The fuel tank used to be inside a non heated building and we never experienced any trouble there, it wasn’t until we moved the fuel tank outside at a different location where the slow pumping issues started.

I believe it to be 15 microns

 

[dodge man]

I’m guessing you had fuel gelling. Even with additives I’ve had it gel, kerosene works best when it gets down near zero.

 

[screamin400]

I’m guessing you had fuel gelling. Even with additives I’ve had it gel, kerosene works best when it gets down near zero.

Neighbors had 100% kerosene gel up and kill the furnace this week. It actually froze solid they said. I did not see it but know it was cold. I have enough additive in a 500 gallon tank for 2000 gallons. I have two different kinds in by the time I was done.

 

[RjCorazza]

It is very cloudy at that temp. Never had an issue above zero but when we dipped below the filter gave up. This is a water block filter.

You definitely are at the cloud point and the filter is bound to clog up with paraffins as you suspect. You could pump unfiltered fuel, but you also still run the same risks in your engine.
Maybe come up with a way to warm the diesel, or cut with more kerosene. I keep an infrared heater in my barn that I can warm my tank if necessary... But have never needed to.

 

[screamin400]

You definitely are at the cloud point and the filter is bound to clog up with paraffins as you suspect. You could pump unfiltered fuel, but you also still run the same risks in your engine.
Maybe come up with a way to warm the diesel, or cut with more kerosene. I keep an infrared heater in my barn that I can warm my tank if necessary... But have never needed to.

I hear what you are saying about cutting with kerosene but our neighbor froze up the same day on 100% Kerosene. He thought he was safe. I did better than he did

 

[dodge man]

I Googled the cloud point of kerosene and came up with 6 below zero.

 

[RjCorazza]

I hear what you are saying about cutting with kerosene but our neighbor froze up the same day on 100% Kerosene. He thought he was safe. I did better than he did

Exactly how cold are the temps you're dealing with? I missed the 100% kerosene gelling up... Never would have guessed that could happen. Also surprised that kerosene clouds at -6 f.
Can't think of much else to do but warm the supply tank, and in the future change to a different anti gel additive. What are you currently using?

 

[screamin400]

Exactly how cold are the temps you're dealing with? I missed the 100% kerosene gelling up... Never would have guessed that could happen. Also surprised that kerosene clouds at -6 f.
Can't think of much else to do but warm the supply tank, and in the future change to a different anti gel additive. What are you currently using?

It was about 10 below. I run Hot shot secret and Power service. Lots of it.

 

[dodge man]

I’d run one additive or another, not both. I’m not sure how they interact. Probably fine but who knows. I’ve also heard to much additive doesn’t work as well but I don’t know if that’s been proven.

 

[ruffdog]

It was about 10 below. I run Hot shot secret and Power service. Lots of it.

Are you MIXING in the fuel treatment before is gets cold? Adding it after gelling temps is too late.

 

[number two]

When I used to haul fuel,the terminals listed the cloud point of kerosene at -40 F.
Something doesn't sound right.

 

[LouNY]

Cloud point of kerosene -38F
If the "kerosene" in his tank gelled this week it was not kerosene it was #2 fuel oil.
I did see the article that listed -21.1C as the cloud point which would be -6F that article was wrong.
We have blended fuels for decades #2 with 1/3 to 1/2 #1 with minimal gelling issues untill it heads to -20F at which time we go to town and get more kerosene to top of the tractor tanks with.

considerable price difference in #2 and #1 about $0.60 per gallon in bulk.

 

[screamin400]

Are you MIXING in the fuel treatment before is gets cold? Adding it after gelling temps is too late.

Before. Weeks before.

 

[screamin400]

Cloud point of kerosene -38F
If the "kerosene" in his tank gelled this week it was not kerosene it was #2 fuel oil.
I did see the article that listed -21.1C as the cloud point which would be -6F that article was wrong.
We have blended fuels for decades #2 with 1/3 to 1/2 #1 with minimal gelling issues untill it heads to -20F at which time we go to town and get more kerosene to top of the tractor tanks with.
View attachment 2105440


considerable price difference in #2 and #1 about $0.60 per gallon in bulk.
View attachment 2105441

I only know he told me straight Kerosene as it was on a rental property furnace. He is knowledgable but could also be wrong.

 

[screamin400]

I really do not think I am gelling. I think it is a filter issue. I have never gelled before when colder. The difference is a new filter is now thrown in the mix so I thought I would ask if anyone has the same results with this filter. I have run to 25 below with no issues before but no pre filter. I ran the fuel for 3 hours yesterday through the filter and then cut it open and drained it. It did not catch any water. I am wondering if there is a better water filter for in the cold or just leave it off. With one filter on there for almost a year it never caught anything so I think it is a waste. I just was wondering if anyone else had these same results.