Oil & Fuel BX Fuel Gels Up Despite Additive

[ruffdog]

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

If the small bottle totally clears up within a couple minutes in your hands (warming), I assume it is the first signs of gelling.

 

[grsthegreat]

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.

well its been reliable for me for 30 years. ill stick with it.

 

[dodge man]

I am no longer a BX owner but was 10years. Mine gelled up 3 times, twice with the crappy factory filters and once with a Racor setup I added, which is similar to the B filter setup. You could really see it in the Racor setup, it looked like hand lotion. I was using an additive too, Howes. I agree you can’t rely on a winter blend. I think it works but you can’t rely on them having a winter blend and the people that work at gas stations don’t know what they sell. I blend in kerosene my self, maybe 20%, and run an additive. I’m using a Lucas additive now but have no idea if it’s better than Howes.

 

[Thunder chicken]

Does anyone add a splash of Methyl Hydrate if they suspect some water?
I’ll put some in my fuel; along with additive (and this is in winter blend fuel) additive more for the lube but cheap insurance.
The sawmill (diesel) was acting funny, some methyl hydrate fixed it right up....
(Great for mixing with washer fluid too to clear the hoar frost off quick and not freeze at -40)

 

[George the Beagle]

I use winter blend with a bit of Power Service and a Bota products filter. No problems at all. BTW, the Bota filter is somewhat involved to install, but once it's in you'll love it. So much easier to change than that original mini-filter.

 

[RickB]

Can you confirm if it痴 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.

There are many instances of confusing water (ice) contamination with fuel gelling. The fuel flow rates of a BX and the relatively coarse micron rating of the BX fuel filter make me think the tractor's fuel system design does not lend itself to excessive gelling. A newer tractor with a substantially more restrictive fuel filter micron rating and the same fuel supply and fueling habits might not be an improvement for the OP.

 

[MHarryE]

I see Tier 4 has now entered this thread. For the record, it was -31° here this morning. High this afternoon actually did reach +10°. My nephew and I spent the day moving bales, feeding cattle, and loading out 2 trucks of grain. We both have Tier 4 Kubotas. They are the only tractors that would start today. We go by the book - Kubota says #1 diesel for temperatures 14°F or colder so we run #1 all winter. We never use a blend because colder than about -10° and you'll have problems. My nephew doesn't use any additives. I use Shaeffer's 2000. So from we who live colder than 0°F from December through February its #1 diesel. Yes, running #1 means worse fuel economy but the cattle need to be fed. Additives - may help if you have #2 in the tank and you need to run when it gets cold but our supplier starts giving us #1 in November and we run that until March. Turning the engine over to get it running is often a problem when the temps are colder than -30°F. Block heater is enough from 0° and colder.

 

[JWR]

I see Tier 4 has now entered this thread. For the record, it was -31ｰ here this morning. High this afternoon actually did reach +10ｰ. My nephew and I spent the day moving bales, feeding cattle, and loading out 2 trucks of grain. We both have Tier 4 Kubotas. They are the only tractors that would start today. We go by the book - Kubota says #1 diesel for temperatures 14ｰF or colder so we run #1 all winter. We never use a blend because colder than about -10ｰ and you'll have problems. My nephew doesn't use any additives. I use Shaeffer's 2000. So from we who live colder than 0ｰF from December through February its #1 diesel. Yes, running #1 means worse fuel economy but the cattle need to be fed. Additives - may help if you have #2 in the tank and you need to run when it gets cold but our supplier starts giving us #1 in November and we run that until March. Turning the engine over to get it running is often a problem when the temps are colder than -30ｰF. Block heater is enough from 0ｰ and colder.

Now there is the voice of experience in cold weather tractor ops, not just dozers and heavy equipment. Appreciate that post. I am a little surprised that the Kubota book says 100% of #1 and no encouragement to blend. I realized there had to be some lower temp (like you say it is minus 10F) where the 50/50 mix would no longer do the trick. I hear some vehicles use a heated fuel system but I've not seen it on farm tractors. In areas where I am it never gets THAT cold anyway. You guys in NE Minn are in a different ballgame.

 

[LouNY]

Hard to beat #1 when it gets to -20F and colder.
I don't know what size tank your tractor has that is acting up but go get some #1 kerosene and pour it in the tank.
Start using it and it will likely clear up and run fine. It will use a bit more fuel and will be down a bit on hp.
Service station blends can be anything most of them are just using additives as #1 costs more.
I do my own blending and also use an additive.

My little RAM pickup has a heater in the fuel filter housing.

 

[number two]

Doesn't IL mandate a certain % of bio-diesel?
Could add to the dilemma!

 

[robertm]

Thanks for the replies. I’ve got about 3 million miles logged with mostly diesels. Never an issue. I’m no stranger. Even my current 3.0L Powerstroke could care less when it’s -15 out. I just find it weird that both BX’s seemed to be the common denominator. I plan to grab some kerosene tomorrow and add it to the tank if it’s going to stay this cold. As long as I have this BX, it may need to be the standard for winter. Tgg he ani’s again.

 

[i7win7]

Most IL diesel is bio-diesel, I'd add an ounce or 2 of diesel 911. The BX's first filter is in front of the hydro cooling fan. 1st time mine iced up mower was locked in top position. 100' ac cord and heat gun that couldn't be wedged in place to thaw it out. Plan to replace it with a model B filter come spring.

 

[i7win7]

You may want to watch this before filling tank with kerosene
Cold diesel starting tips, for our friends in the south. - YouTube