Chronic gel problems

[dragoneggs]

The solution is simple - use #1 Diesel. It's gel point is -40 F or C. You don't need heated filters, or heaters in your fuel tank and all of the wacky additives. I can't understand why people go through all of the wacky solutions they do, like the ones above, when there is a very simple. I guess most people can't get enough pain. Have you never heard of #1 diesel? If it is colder than -40 - stay inside. #1 diesel have very little lubricating qualities, so a lubricating additive would be helpful.


Save your summer diesel blend for summer.

Hmmm... so are you or not, a proponent of Power Service? Seems that it treats #2 diesel when you need it. Your solution is to use #1 diesel and start blending and then also use a lubricating adhesive. Sounds more of a pain to me than just adding the Power Service. I am learning here so don't look to me as an authority. :2cents:

 

[smfcpacfp]

Hmmm... so are you or not, a proponent of Power Service? Seems that it treats #2 diesel when you need it. Your solution is to use #1 diesel and start blending and then also use a lubricating adhesive. Sounds more of a pain to me than just adding the Power Service. I am learning here so don't look to me as an authority. :2cents:

If it is -10F how much Power Service do you use? -20F? -30F? Surely you don't think you would add the same amount of Power Service for any temperature. You don't need to blend anything with #1 diesel, it is good to -40F. I use OptiPlex XPD as a lubricating additive (not adhesive). I add 1 ounce per gallon. Before I go to buy diesel, I add about 5 ounces to my 5 gallon diesel can and fill with #1 diesel - what could be less complicated?

 

[smfcpacfp]

If it is so simple then where do I get #1 fuel at?

David

I would say at a diesel fuel station. If you live near Marquette, Michigan as I do, all truck stops and most gas stations carry #1 diesel. I think if you looked around you could find it, but people in warmer climates may not. It is usually $.50 more a gallon.

 

[dragoneggs]

If it is -10F how much Power Service do you use? -20F? -30F? Surely you don't think you would add the same amount of Power Service for any temperature. You don't need to blend anything with #1 diesel, it is good to -40F. I use OptiPlex XPD as a lubricating additive (not adhesive). I add 1 ounce per gallon. Before I go to buy diesel, I add about 5 ounces to my 5 gallon diesel can and fill with #1 diesel - what could be less complicated?

Oops! yes additive (sorry I have adhesive on the brain or maybe just the fumes) :laughing: I misunderstood thinking you were mixing #1 and #2 diesel. Okay, so no mixing other than the additive but now one has to have two storage containers for diesel? That said, I haven't seen #1 diesel around here but that doesn't mean that it can't be found but maybe a hassle? Don't know.

Granted you live in a much colder climate and thus your solution probably makes sense. For me I am thinking the Power Service makes sense. Doesn't get that cold (rarely under 20degF and at that point I can wait it out) and I can use the same fuel year 'round. To each is own... thanks for your thoughts and putting up with my ignorance.

 

[ovrszd]

The solution is simple - use #1 Diesel. It's gel point is -40 F or C. You don't need heated filters, or heaters in your fuel tank and all of the wacky additives. I can't understand why people go through all of the wacky solutions they do, like the ones above, when there is a very simple. I guess most people can't get enough pain. Have you never heard of #1 diesel? If it is colder than -40 - stay inside. #1 diesel have very little lubricating qualities, so a lubricating additive would be helpful.

Heheheh. You were on a roll until the end, then you suggested one of those "wacky" additives!!!

I suggest blending #1 and #2 to retain the lubricating properties of #2 without the "wacky" lubricating additive.

 

[ovrszd]

If it is -10F how much Power Service do you use? -20F? -30F? Surely you don't think you would add the same amount of Power Service for any temperature. You don't need to blend anything with #1 diesel, it is good to -40F. I use OptiPlex XPD as a lubricating additive (not adhesive). I add 1 ounce per gallon. Before I go to buy diesel, I add about 5 ounces to my 5 gallon diesel can and fill with #1 diesel - what could be less complicated?

I guess I should have done this before my previous post. I keep Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost on hand. Got the jug and read the directions. It states the following.

Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost is an antigel/winterizer that is used in the cold winter months to keep fuel filters from plugging with wax and to prevent fuel gelling. Prevents fuel gelling in temperatures as low as -40F. Equals performance of a 50/50 blend of #2 and #1 diesel fuels. Lowers cold filter plugging point (CFPP) as much as 36 degrees F. Boosts cetane up to 4 numbers for faster cold starts. Contains Slickdiesel Lubricator to protect fuel pumps and injectors. Contains anti-icing additives - protects againd fuel filter icing. Disperses water. Effective in all diesel fuels, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and biodiesel blands containing up to 20% biodiesel.

Mix ratio is 1 ounce of Power Service to each 3 gallons of Diesel Fuel.

I paid $12.99 for an 80 oz bottle which will treat $250 gallons of diesel. I run #2 diesel in my truck and add 5oz of Power Sevice with each fillup.

This Winter so far I've ran my Road Grader on straight #2 diesel with Power Service added at the recommended doseage. Ran yesterday in temps of -15F with no problems. Two townships next to me were down yesterday from gelled fuel. One of them borrowed our machine and ran last night to try to catch up. I only demanded that he not fill our Grader out of his fuel supply.....

I finally burned up what was left of my Summer #2 fuel yesterday. Now our storage tank is filled with 50/50 blend #2 and #1. I'll not add any additive to that mix.

Sorry for the lengthy post but I thought there was some very good information on the Power Service bottle.

 

[dodge man]

#1 and Kerosene are very similar, if not the same.

 

[DEWFPO]

The solution is simple - use #1 Diesel. It's gel point is -40 F or C. You don't need heated filters, or heaters in your fuel tank and all of the wacky additives. I can't understand why people go through all of the wacky solutions they do, like the ones above, when there is a very simple. I guess most people can't get enough pain. Have you never heard of #1 diesel? If it is colder than -40 - stay inside. #1 diesel have very little lubricating qualities, so a lubricating additive would be helpful.


Save your summer diesel blend for summer.

The local CO-Op here stopped selling #1 Diesel last year because folks (besides apparently me) weren't buying it and there are no truck stops around for at least 100 miles but you can find #2 diesel most everywhere you go.

DEWFPO

 

[ovrszd]

The local CO-Op here stopped selling #1 Diesel last year because folks (besides apparently me) weren't buying it and there are no truck stops around for at least 100 miles but you can find #2 diesel most everywhere you go.

DEWFPO

Yep, that's why I was curious about the Power Service I use. I had never read the jug. With my truck it's just easier to carry a bottle and add some when filling with Winter blend #2 Diesel. It would be an absolute pain to blend or run #1.

But as smfcpacfp mentioned, he only buys Diesel 5 gallon at a time and probably doesn't use more than 100 gallons a year. In that case, it might be easier to purchase #1???

But then,,, if a person's useage is that small, wouldn't it just be easier to continue to buy your fuel at the normal place and throw in some Power Service?? $12.99 jug treats 250 gallons of fuel. I'm sure there are several readers/posters on this thread that don't burn that much fuel in a year. And you only have to treat your Winter useage. Maybe I better reread the jug and see if it has a shelf life????

 

[Bota4me]

I run power service white bottle w #2 no problems yet down to -10f. However one of my neighbors runs kerosene all winter in his kubota . Says thats all he ever used growing up on a farm. What are your opinions on this? Also he has over 1500 hrs half of which are on kero in winter
So far he has been trouble free.....

 

[Red Horse]

#1 and Kerosene are very similar, if not the same.

You are correct-same product. But not readily available. Years ago was a staple in the distribution network. If you are old enough you will remember it was pretty much the standard fuel in Detroit powered buses.

Today its not readily available-even in Northern states where much of it is blended into heat for outdoor 275's that are common mobile home installations.

 

[bandaidmd]

My initial kero/diesel mix was horribly inadequate. 50 gallons kero to nearly 300 gallons summer fuel. It didn't stand a chance. Luckily my fuel guys are really good and they're going to pump the summer diesel out of my 600 gallon site tank and use it for people's home heating oil and credit me for those gallons. Then I'm going to get a much smaller tank, so I can cycle through it MUCH more often, and fill it with well-mixed winter diesel. And I found a nearby NAPA that sells Howes so I'll add that too, instead of Power Service. Hopefully that solves the issue.
Yes, Scooby, I do have a plastic sight-glass on my screw-on filter. It's hellish to remove when I change the filter, but very handy for showing me when I've got a gel problem.
Graham, I don't know about Racor but I'll look into it. Are those heated filters? Do any of you guys use heated filters?
Red Horse, you must be a Norwich alum. That place is the only thing keeping this town alive, despite the fact that it's tax-free. It's the sole reason people come through here, unless you count covered bridges and Darned Tough socks.

Sure hope those peoples heating tank is in the basement & not outdoors.

 

[ovrszd]

Sure hope those peoples heating tank is in the basement not outdoors.

Heheheheh. Good point!!!!

 

[David_Kb7uns]

I would say at a diesel fuel station. If you live near Marquette, Michigan as I do, all truck stops and most gas stations carry #1 diesel. I think if you looked around you could find it, but people in warmer climates may not. It is usually $.50 more a gallon.

Well once again your solution is not valid. You have red and clear here, where is this simple to get #1 at??

This is why people have heated filters and additives #1 is not simple to get!!!

You need to think a little more on your answers!!

David

 

[smfcpacfp]

Well once again your solution is not valid. You have red and clear here, where is this simple to get #1 at??

This is why people have heated filters and additives #1 is not simple to get!!!

You need to think a little more on your answers!!

David

All I can do is shake my head. Some people don't get it - and never will:confused2:

If you live in an underserved area, as you do, you don't have it available, but here we do

 

[smfcpacfp]

Heheheh. You were on a roll until the end, then you suggested one of those "wacky" additives!!!

I suggest blending #1 and #2 to retain the lubricating properties of #2 without the "wacky" lubricating additive.

We recently had a temperature of -34F, and occasionally that does happen. Fortunately I didn't need to use the tractor, but at that temperature you would almost need straight #1. Since it can get really cold here, I just use #1, and one of the wacky additives, but just for lubricating purposes, not as a means to reduce the gel point. When spring gets closer, I do blend #1 & 2, but I always error on the side of more than enough #1.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I run Howes up here for the last 5yrs with no problems. Run it in the diesel F250 and Kioti and we see temps well into negative double digits many, many times.....esp this year! We also get blended up here by late October/November so I make sure both get full tanks about that time.

 

[jpm1]

Personally i use Diesel 911. Like you, our temps drop way below 0 and i dont have a problem. I house about 450 gallons of diesel and have the tanks filled in the summer. I add the amount per bottle's instructions and my worries are over. When the Low Sulfer fuel came out, i had a lot of problems, my fuel distribuator recommended the 911, been using it ever since. I buy it at Walmart. Good luck. . . . John

 

[ovrszd]

We recently had a temperature of -34F, and occasionally that does happen. Fortunately I didn't need to use the tractor, but at that temperature you would almost need straight #1. Since it can get really cold here, I just use #1, and one of the wacky additives, but just for lubricating purposes, not as a means to reduce the gel point. When spring gets closer, I do blend #1 & 2, but I always error on the side of more than enough #1.

Several years ago I plowed snow with the grader in -27 degree temps with blended #1/#2 fuel with no problems. Hopefully I'll never see the -34F temp here. You can have that!!!! I can't live like that!!!