Winter Fuel Additives ?

[rja]

To the panel of experts....
What do you do to the fuel in the winter? Some of the posts referenced 'dee zol plus' as a preferred treatment but I have not been able to find it locally. Is this stuff so much better than the products that the local automotive stores carry? Thanks.

 

[MChalkley]

While we're waiting for the "experts" to weigh in: /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

The best stuff at the best prices can usually be found at one of the larger truck stops along the Interstates. Howes makes some very good stuff, as does the company considered to be the "standard", Stanadyne. I generally use a product from one or the other.

MarkC

 

[Thomas]

rja,
I for one don't add additives for my winter fuel.
I purchase my winter where the city also the state purchase there diesel fuel,and its a bran name. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Only had one bad tank of fuel from a non bran name, /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif and learn the hard way. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif




Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I use Stanadyne fuel additive all the year.
Greg H

 

[gsxr1100]

I use the good old Power Service in my Powerstroke which I was told is good stuff from my neighbor. He has a Ford 1220 and has his own trucks (Peterbilt & Mack). There are also many more additives from LE, Amsoil, Stanadyne, Lucas, and I think Howes). Have fun..


"Were going to need a bigger boat" JAWS
Still looking for the tractor!!

 

[Bird]

I, too, dump a pint of Power Service in my 55 gallon barrel each time I refill it. It's locally available several places, not very expensive, and supposed to help clean injectors, disperse moisture, etc. Of course, I don't have much really cold weather, and can't say for sure how much good the additive does, other than maybe a little peace of mind./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird

 

[JerryG]

I use Power Service just as Bird does. Like he said it doesn't cost much and it does a good job. I use a gallon of Power Service to 300 gallons of Diesel. It was down to 22 degrees last winter and it worked. I used a 5 gallon jug one time last winter and had forgot to put the Power Service in. The next morning I ran it about 10 min. and it jelled up. Then emptied the filter and ran the fuel. Put some Power Service in the tank and in the filter and started it right up.
JerryG

 

[rja]

22 degrees? Do you mean 22 degrees below zero? Where do you live, in the tropics? In NJ we get some days where the AM temps are around Zero, especially if you work in the wind chill factor. Up north I imagine that they would think that I live in the Tropics.......

 

[JerryG]

Not in the tropics here. I live in NW AR. But if the fuel is not treated it will jell even at our temperatures.
It does get colder than that here, but thats how cold it was the day I didn't have the treatment in the fuel.
JerryG

 

[TomG]

I use a 'one additive does everything,' including anti-gel. I can't remember the brand, but I imagine any of them are about as good. However, last week somebody on CTB posted some comparative specs between #1 and #2 diesel fuels. #1 fuel has much lower cloud points and flash points--meaning that it gels at lower temperatures and also ignites at lower temperatures. So, #1 fuels probably starts easier in cold weather.

I always thought of using #1 as an anti-gel fuel, but never thought it might start easier as well. I stuck with #2 since it gives a bit more power, and an anti-gel additive worked OK. However, I got to thinking that since I'm on ice most of the winter, and the wheels spin before the engine lugs, I've got more power than can be used anyway. I've got a convenient source of #1 off-road, so I think I switch over plus use an additive as well for all the other things they do.

 

[JimBinMI]

Guys,

Last winter was my tractor's first...and I'm in south-central Michigan. The tractor, a NH TC18 used diesel straight from a off-highway heavily used truck stop. I never put anything in it and never had a problem. Last winter was mild, but still had it out in very cold weather. The tractor sits in an unheated pole barn and I don't use any kind of heater on it, dealer/salesman said it should do fine with just the wind break of the barn, he was right...NO PROBLEMS and it started every time I needed it.

JimBinMI

 

[bpence]

I live in Michigan and don't use any fuel additives. I buy my fuel from a brand name filling station that does a lot of diesel fuel business, so the fuel is always pretty fresh.

I keep the B7100 in an unheated pole barn and have only used a magnetic engine heater when the temperature has dipped below zero for several days. I have also tried putting a work light under the tractor motor as a heater on occasion when it's been very cold and that works well, too.

I haven't had any winter starting difficulties. The trick seems to be pre-heating with the glow plugs and keeping good fuel in the tank.

Bob Pence

 

[GeorgeH]

What is the advisability, advantage, or danger of mixing small amounts of kerosene or JP4 aviation fuel to your winter diesel fuel supply. Would either help prevent gelling, or improve cold weather starting and engine performance? Would the engine blow its head through the hood. I understand the use of engine starting fluid is not reccomended for diesel engines with glow plugs. What else can you do for really cold weather starts?

George<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by GeorgeH on 12/9/00 06:59 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[Thomas]

GeorgeH,
I don't think its all a good idea to starting mixing different fuels together,especially if one has new tractor for you might lose your warranty if something goes wrong. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
I would talk to your tractor dealer than purchase the right additive from him. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Purchase a name brand diesel fuel which eveyone like to use in your area.

For could weather starts...I keep my PM work up on the tractor..good fuel..battery charged..and if its really cold I plug in the the engine heater and let it warm up,much easier on the engine etc...

Does your BX have a engine heater?

Now for the older farm tractors,well kept charged battery..extra set of spark plugs..park on a side also let the early morning sun warm it up..jumper calbes..hand hope its not a hand crank when the weather well below zero,for if the engine should kick back. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Stay warm out there and have a pleasant weekend.


Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[gerard]

George,
While I agree with Thomas because I'm not 100% sure, I beleive that kerosene is just more refined diesel. I was told you can run striaght kerosene without a problem but it costs more so most people don't. I know a lot of truckers cut their diesel with kerosene, just don't know what the proportions are. Talk to an owner operator of a big rig and ask him/her. Someone with 150K invested isn't about to do anything to jeopordize a 30K engine. I personally use my fuel oil right out of my tank (heating oil) and then add one of the anti gel additives. I have a block heater with a thermostat hooked up to kick on below 20deg f. I just do that because a warm start is better on the engine. Even without it I've never had a problem starting it and I'm on a mountain in upstate NY. We haven't seen above 15deg F for the last week. Pretty cold winter so far.

 

[art]

I know I've said this before but I'll say it again kerosene has no lubrication ability for your injection pump like diesel fuel and I love you people who don't listen it will cause the pump to set up or fail prematurely $$$.

 

[gerard]

I stand corrected Art and I'll defer to to you on this one. As I said I wasn't sure and don't use kerosene myself! I thought that was what fuel suppliers used to make the "winter mix" diesel fuel but I'm not sure. If you reduce the lubricity I'd rather go with straight diesel and use the additives. (Can I retract my previous post??)

 

[GeorgeH]

Thanks for the insight everyone. I knew I could get good information here. I'll just stick with my regular fuel and I don't really anticipate any problems this winter. I was just curious what could be gained and at what risk. I wouldn't want to void my warranty in any event.

George

 

[TomG]

I always thought the choice was between #2 & #1 diesel, as opposed to #2 and kerosene. Kerosene costs a bundle and as noted will wear out fuel pumps (although an additive could be use with kerosene as well).

I ran #2 with additive last winter without problems. However, I'm switching over to #1 with additive right now. The main reason is that a supplier of #1 off-road is closer than a supplier of #2 off-road. #1 is used here in institutional back-up power generators year-around. True, #1 produces a little less power than #2, but I figure I'll be spinning tires on ice most of the time anyway, so power's not the problem.

A guy on CTB did a bit of research and posted a fuel comparison. I reproduced a bit of it here some time ago. Cloud point is the temperature at which wax crystals start forming in fuel. Cloud points for #2 vary both across region and time of year. Cloud points for winter blends can be as high as 15F. Cloud points for #1 are about -25F. Additives lower the cloud points in both types. Fuels also have other characteristics, and flash-point is one of them. #1 has a lower flask point than #2. An engine running #1 may be a bit easier to start when it's really cold.

I think either #1 or #2 with additive will work just fine, but the key is 'with additive.' I may have a little less concern about gelling if something really cold comes through here, but convenience is the main reason I went to #1. I just don't drive down the highway in the direction of the #2 off-road supplier often during the winter. Regular gas stations are closer then either off-road supplier, but I really don't like paying taxes. My dealer did say that #2 or #1 could be used. It's always good to check with a dealer.

 

[redhawk]

i have not been able to find a retailer of off-road diesel in southern lancaster county, PA. i know with the amount of farms it should be easy. the farmers i have talked to say that they get 500 gals. at a time delivered. does any one know of a website for off-road diesel dealers. thanks

kevin..PA