Oil & Fuel BX Fuel Gels Up Despite Additive

[robertm]

I had the same problem with my BX2660, and now my BX2670. When it’s really cold, like single digit cold, the fuel gels up regardless of additive.
I put plenty of Power Service in the winter blend fuel from the fuel station, and that did nothing. Then I added Opti-Lube snd let it run for 30 minutes, started plowing, and she started bucking all over again.
I firmly believe it’s the poorly designed fuel filter under the frame that gels up because it has no heat. But then again, I wonder if it’s the fuel pump freezing up.
I bought a BX fuel filter kit from Bota Products to go to the remote located B-type filter, but never got it installed. Now I wonder if it will matter in the winter, thinking maybe it’s the fuel pump that freezes. I never had an issue with the three B’s I’ve had in much colder temps than this, but both BX’s don’t run in single digits or colder.
Anyone else having similar issues?

 

[ruffdog]

I'm finding out that a additive alone will not protect against gelling. The fuel needs to be a winter blend from a good source.

 

[5030]

Try Howes instead of Power Service. I had issue with Power Service and switched and no more issues.

 

[robertm]

I’ve had worse issues with Howes.
In the tests I’ve seen, Howes unfortunately comes up at the bottom of the pile for freeze protection and lubricity. I figured Opti-Lube, who is at the top, would help, but no luck. Just frustrating.

 

[robertm]

I'm finding out that a additive alone will not protect against gelling. The fuel needs to be a winter blend from a good source.

I am running winter blended fuel AND additive. I think it’s overkilll. That’s why I wonder if the unprotected and unheated filter or fuel pump is the issue.

 

[MHarryE]

I run Schaeffers Diesel Treat 2000 and use straight #1 diesel. Today is the first day above zero in the past 18 (we’ve been having lows from -30° to -45° and highs -5° to -10°). I needed to pull the element out of the filter housing on my fuel trailer in order to fill (I only put the Diesel Treat 2000 directly in my tractor or CTL tank, not the trailer) but it felt like tee shirt weather being above zero for a change so I had to play outside for an hour and didn’t have any fuel issues.

 

[robertm]

So, are any of you running a BX? I really think this is a BX issue with the poor lawnmower fuel filter design, or the dinky fuel pump. I’ve had three B’s over the years, and ran them in winter in sub-zero weather without ever having an issue. Now, both BX’s have had the same problem. I always run treated fuel, and it just seems weird that the B’s were a non-issue.

 

[rScotty]

So, are any of you running a BX? I really think this is a BX issue with the poor lawnmower fuel filter design, or the dinky fuel pump. I’ve had three B’s over the years, and ran them in winter in sub-zero weather without ever having an issue. Now, both BX’s have had the same problem. I always run treated fuel, and it just seems weird that the B’s were a non-issue.

Is there any chance it could be the fuel? Reason I ask is that this year I have been having a problem that feels like fuel flow in cold weather. This is a new problem I've never had before. I run winter blend #1 automotive diesel and also treat it with Opti-lube winter additive at the higher of the two recommended doses.

The symptoms are that the tractor runs fine at low to medium throttle, but if I go to full throttle it begins to slow down after half a minute or so.
This is on a full size commercial TLB, so it isn't a cold weather design problem with the fuel pump or filter.

 

[Monster5601]

Project Farm to the rescue.

Which Diesel Anti-Gel Additive is Best? Let's find out! - YouTube

I use Power Service (in the white jug) and have for several years without issue. I run off-road in the tractors and I'm not sure when they switch the off-road to a winter blend. The last time I bought off-road was the end of August of last year and it has been single digits in the garage lately. Plowed 6 inches on fresh snow yesterday and no issues.

 

[DeepandDirty]

I'm running a bx2370 up north without any issues in cold weather, maybe you have water in the fuel. You could drain the tank and check it.

 

[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.