Oil & Fuel Diesel fuel additive

[Carl Bert]

I own a 2010 B26. This is my first diesel. I just wanted to know if I am supposed to be using the fuel additive, that is used in gasoline to keep it from gumming up, in the diesel fuel also? And if so should I go out and add it to the diesel fuel, that is already in the tractor, and run it a while? Thanks

 

[TripleR]

You will probably get mixed responses. We don't use any additive in our diesel tractors though I have when I got some bad fuel. I have spoken with several farmers in my area and none of them run additives either.

I know there are others who swear by them.

 

[easygo]

I add Power Service (white bottle) to my diesel in the Winter just in case. They supposed to change something in the fuel that is sold during the cold months to prevent gelling. I never had a problem even in 20-30 below 0F.
So. I always add Power Service to keep it that way.

 

[moship]

Carl,

1st off assuming I read your post correctly. I would not use any additive designed for gasoline unless it explicitly says that it can be used with diesel fuel.

I run an additive to prevent gelling and to aid in lubricity of the moving fuel delivery components. Is it necessary? I do not know, but feel better knowing that I'm not hurting anything but my wallet. Given the low volume of fuel I use the added expense is trivial.

Diesel is hydroscopic in that it will absorb water which can cause all kinds of problems and can lead to bacteria growth which will look like slime. So follow good practice on fuel storage. Keep the fuel fresh and you should not have any problem.

Depending on where you live, most diesel fuel will be blended differently for winter usage and some locations will guarantee fuel quality.

Just make certain to buy fuel from some place that turns their fuel over regularly.

 

[MF 1532]

Most of the farmers around here don't use anything other than what suppliers add , but the trucking companies do . I use some Howes Diesel Treat all the time , for cold weather , the lubricity , and peace of mind . No more fuel than I use in my tractor a bottle will last me quite awhile .

 

[unbidden]

My Kubota dealer told me no need to run conditioners as the winter diesel mix has additives already; but like others I've been wondering if an additive would be a good piece of mind security policy. For years I've run 1oz of SeaFoam per gallon of gas in my motorcycle, snow blower and just about any other gas powered machine I have that sits unused for long periods of time, winter or summer. SeaFoam is approved for diesel engines; have any of you used it on your tractor?

Click here if you're not familiar with SeaFoam.

 

[TripleR]

My father in law owned and operated a bulk distributorship for farm fuels and lubricants with several diesel delivery and transport trucks as well as diesel farm tractors. He didn't use any additives in his trucks/tractors/storage tanks etc., so I don't. I guess we have been lucky because we have never had any fuel problems. We do use a lot of diesel or it sure seems like it, so the cost can get a little steep. It sure won't hurt anything to use additives and if it gives nothing more than peace of mind, it is worth it to some.

I don't doubt algae in diesel exists, I just have never known anyone personally who has experienced it.

 

[9973720wb19]

I guess a factor would be how fast you burn through your diesel. For, it takes a while to burn 5 gallons so I use additive from the dealer. I gallon will last me several years.

 

[moship]

TripleR,

Well now you know of someone who has had first hand experience with algae growth in diesel. I had it happen to the fuel in my tractor and in a container that was stored under controlled conditions (not related). There are periods of time when I do not use the tractor for months.

With the tractor it caused the filter to plug which resulted in the engine stalling due to fuel starvation.

 

[radioman]

I am going to assume something. if you were trained to put stablizer in gas to prevent it from going stale and gumming up carb when storing for winter, thn no in general for diesel it doesnt have that issue.

On the other hand, there are 2 things to think about with diesel in my opinion.
1. gelling/waxing from extreme cold with summer blend
2. long term storage of diesel in large tanks for more then a year- algae can grow and plug filters.

I see you are from NY so gelling/waxing can be an issue when its cold. If you dont use your tractor at all in winter, then nothing needs to be done. just wait till its warm enough. Otherwise you need to us winter blend diesel or treat it or both.
As for algae growth- if you use fuel from station, no need to worry about it. If you store more then 300 gallons and dont refill every year then you might want to add algaecide for diesel fuel.

 

[MF 1532]

I don't doubt algae in diesel exists, I just have never known anyone personally who has experienced it.

Algae is a strange thing :confused2: We sell two different products for it . It seems like it sets on the shelf awhile , then when one person comes in needing it several do . Last week a man came in with a Provost motorhome , he didn't know what the problem was . After talking ...algae . Telltale signs are black film in fuel tank or in fuel filter .

 

[mrdane]

I work on ships and we always use an additive to our diesel. ADERCO is the product we currently use.

 

[20 20]

I've learned the hard way, easier to prevent, then sit dead......I use additives.

 

[EastTexFrank]

I've learned the hard way, easier to prevent, then sit dead......I use additives.

That's my philosophy.

It really depends on where you live and how fast you use it. I live in Texas so gelling isn't really a problem. I keep about 100 to 150 gallons of diesel at the house and depending on the time of year that can last from several weeks to several months. I add additives as soon as I bring it home just for peace of mind. Now, at the farm we had a 300 gallon tank of diesel sit for over 2 years with nothing in it and it worked just fine.

You pays your money and takes your choice. I know, I know, that's not really helpful.

 

[TripleR]

TripleR,

Well now you know of someone who has had first hand experience with algae growth in diesel. I had it happen to the fuel in my tractor and in a container that was stored under controlled conditions (not related). There are periods of time when I do not use the tractor for months.

With the tractor it caused the filter to plug which resulted in the engine stalling due to fuel starvation.

Like I said, I have no doubt it exists as I have read the posts on here from people who have had problems with it. I just have not spoken to anyone in my area who has experienced it or who uses any treatment for it.

Our renters use to keep a 500 gallon tank down by our barn that was unused during the winter months. We recently decided to put in a 300 gallon tank on one of our farms. I spoke with our renters in addition to my wife's cousin who manages the local fuel delivery service and both said they saw no need for an additive and had never experienced any algae related problems. Our renter is 82 years old. As I said, I have spoken with several farmers and occasional users and no one has reported a problem and some didn't even believe algae could grow in diesel.

I honestly don't know the causes or why there aren't any problems in our area, or rather any widespread problems, but given the cost and amount of fuel we burn, I am not going to start using additives. If I was an occasional user with only small amounts on hand, I might think differently.

I am NOT recommending anyone else do so.

 

[KU Gator]

My guess is the OP is referring to a product like StaBil which is far as I know is for gasoline. I treat the boat fuel and all of the small engines I have with it before putting them up for the winter.

Like others, I use a anti-gel additive that I buy at my dealer for the diesel which is also supposed to prevent algae. No more than I use the tractor in the winter, I think it is pretty cheap insurance. I think the mix was about 8 oz to 5 gal of fuel.

 

[Carl Bert]

You will probably get mixed responses.

I know there are others who swear by them.

Just as you said "Mixed responses". I have been following this forum for quite a while now and TripleR you always seem to have good, solid advice, along with many others. In this situation, since nobody really knows for sure, I think I will go with the additive. The main reason is, and I should have mentioned this in my OP, I only put about 75 hrs a year on the tractor and it sits unused through the winter, so how much fuel am I really burning. Ten dollars worth of additive will last me 3 years or more. And since I have not heard of any bad experiences with it, I think its definitely worth the peace of mind. Thanks everyone

 

[Jay4200]

Ten dollars worth of additive will last me 3 years or more. And since I have not heard of any bad experiences with it, I think its definitely worth the peace of mind. Thanks everyone

That's my theory. I use Power Service in the white bottle all year around - available at WalMart in quarts. I put 1/10 of a bottle in 5 gallons of fuel, which is about twice the recommended amount. I think I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle after 500+ hours of use.

JayC

 

[rjkobbeman]

That's my theory. I use Power Service in the white bottle all year around - available at WalMart in quarts. I put 1/10 of a bottle in 5 gallons of fuel, which is about twice the recommended amount. I think I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle after 500+ hours of use.

JayC

Jay,

I use the same stuff... and have always wondered about using "too much" since calculating how much fuel is still in the tank is not an exact science.

So you think there is no issue?

Thanks.

 

[JJZ 109]

That's my theory. I use Power Service in the white bottle all year around - available at WalMart in quarts. I put 1/10 of a bottle in 5 gallons of fuel, which is about twice the recommended amount. I think I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle after 500+ hours of use.

JayC

That's what I use also. If for no other reason than I only use probably 30-35 gallons per year. But when I buy diesel I get it about 15 gallons at a time and keep in a 15 gallon container with a 12 volt pump and service station type hose/nozzle, so sometimes the fuel sits a few months. The tractor is always stored inside, but no heat in the building.
Somewhere along the line I calculated it at 2.5 ounces per 5 gallons so that's what I've always run. So far, so good.