Winter fuel

[EscapedSuburbia]

This video shows some differences, with Hot Shot coming out on top. You can skip the first part which focuses on wear reduction for some reason. Later in the video he tries freezing samples with different additives.

 

[wildbranch]

https://pilotcompany.com/file/winter-additive-blending

other local stations say nov 15 around syracuse ny

 

[RHiebert]

What's your strategy for a not-often-used tractor?

I've let my tank get pretty low, hoping I can fill it with winter blend. But, when do they start putting out winter blend?

I feel like I have three choices.

• Wait until I need the tractor (snow removal) and hope they have the winter blend out by then.
• Fill it with summer fuel and add conditioner (I have and generally use Howe's)
• Buy and mix #2 & kerosine (what ratio?)

How do you approach this situation.

Note that I am in Vermont, so it will get below 15°F before you know it. We've already seen 26°.

Couple things: 1.) Ethanol in fuel creates water in the fuel over time which results in premature damage to the inner parts of the engine; (2.) the engine lube should be quality synthetic.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

If you want the good stuff that mechanics, farmers and truckers use, try Hot Shots.
Power Service is OK, but it’s like the generic stuff found at every corner store.

While I haul the PS ...

I switched from Howes to the Hot Shots a couple of years ago ...

For summer use I use there Everyday ... Everyday Diesel Treatment (EDT) | Top Diesel Fuel Additive PLUS I add half a dose of there LX4 for added lubrication (The EDT does have some LX4 in it, I just add a bit extra!) ... LX4 Lubricity Extreme: Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Additive for winter I use there Winter Defense anti-gel ... EDT+ Winter Defense | Hot Shot's Secret PLUS I add a half dose of there LX4 for added lubrication like in the summer ...

Also twice a year in spring and fall I add there "cleaner" Diesel Extreme (in place of the EDT) ... Diesel Extreme | Injector Cleaner & Cetane Booster PLUS a half dose of the LX4 ...

I buy the quart size, but available in smaller sizes ...

Water is BAD! I use a treatment that uses a de-emulsifier, which separates out the water, so it can be drained from the bottom of the fuel bowl ... Water can also help the "bugs" grow ... is more common in bio-diesel mixes ...

My company will let me buy whatever brand I want at the truck stops, they put it on the fuel card with my fuel purchase, I use the "Winter Defense" anti-gel in the winter, nothing in the summer ... We primarily buy at Pilot/Fly J or Love's, and usually a 5-20 % bio blend ... For myself I buy at the local farm co-op where the farmers, county road department buys, so does the school, police/fire/EMS ...

The current mandated ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) doesn't have the lubrication that the old stuff did ... That's why I add extra lube ... While bio-diesel does have better lubrication than dino-diesel, it also has a much higher absorbing abilities to aquire water, so I prefer not to use it ... Most additives also increase the centane level, as in the USA it's usually only in the low 40's . . . Japan where both my diesels were made run around 50 centane, burns cleaner and starts easier!

 

[dnw64]

Couple things: 1.) Ethanol in fuel creates water in the fuel...

I'd be rather shocked if diesel additives had ethanol in them. It's bad enough in gasoline - I buy ethanol free whenever possible (available at two stations near where I live) for my vehicles and ONLY ever in my small engines.

 

[dodge man]

I think the Power Service 911 might have some ethanol or similar stuff in it, that why they say for emergencies only. I’ve only had to use it once several years ago.

 

[LouNY]

When using Power Serve 911, just think of gasoline with maybe a bit of lubricity added;
There are actually 3 variations of 911.
from the SDS;

 

[dnw64]

When using Power Serve 911, just think of gasoline with maybe a bit of lubricity added;
There are actually 3 variations of 911.
from the SDS;
View attachment 4380743
View attachment 4380744
View attachment 4380745

"Interesting" in some way. But for those of us without a PhD in Chemistry, what does it mean?

 

[LouNY]

It's very light hydrocarbons, highly solvents and easy ignition. A great many years ago a touch of gasoline would be used in a pinch, certainly not recommended.
But either will eventually dissolve the paraffin particles that are what has dropped out of suspension in the diesel fuel.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

My old 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D manual called for up to 30% gasoline in the diesel tank, for winter driving ... I do know that gasoline will kill the "bugs" that grow/live in the thin layer between water and diesel fuel, I used a 10% mix ... Cleaned it right up, no need for a biocide.

 

[Hay Dude]

My old 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D manual called for up to 30% gasoline in the diesel tank, for winter driving ... I do know that gasoline will kill the "bugs" that grow/live in the thin layer between water and diesel fuel, I used a 10% mix ... Cleaned it right up, no need for a biocide.

Gasoline, huh? That’s really interesting.

 

[camshawn]

In the lower Fraser Valley of BC, the local COOP switches to winter fuel sometime in mid November. The Upper Valley switches to winter fuel sometime in early November and I can get winter fuel now in Chilliwack ( about an hour east). I got caught a few yrs ago with summer fuel when we had a surprise cold snap and snow storm.

 

[DarkBlack]

My old 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D manual called for up to 30% gasoline in the diesel tank, for winter driving ...

Not 3%, but 30%?

 

[doneill127]

Had an old VW diesel rabbit and the manual recommended 25% gas for winter operation. Made it through a number of chilly Montana winters without issue.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Not 3%, but 30%?

Yup ... I never did it ... Lived in Southern AZ at the time ... I did put a gallon of gas in my tank which held about 12 gallons, as I was fighting the black gunk microbes ... Worked GREAT!

Somewhere I had a picture of the manual I posted in Peachparts forum, it may be still on one of my old computers, I got rid of that car more than 10 years ago ...

Here are a few other forums that mention it, but only picture talks about kerosene ... But doesn't say what year or model it was for ... https://www.benzworld.org/threads/winterizing-diesel.2200321/

Is it OK to put a little gasoline in diesel fuel tank?


I personally wouldn't run it in a late model tier 4 diesel engine at 30%! Maybe 3-5% as a biocide if I KNEW there was a problem ...

 

[ruffdog]

Yup ... I never did it ... Lived in Southern AZ at the time ... I did put a gallon of gas in my tank which held about 12 gallons, as I was fighting the black gunk microbes ... Worked GREAT!

Somewhere I had a picture of the manual I posted in Peachparts forum, it may be still on one of my old computers, I got rid of that car more than 10 years ago ...

Here are a few other forums that mention it, but only picture talks about kerosene ... But doesn't say what year or model it was for ... https://www.benzworld.org/threads/winterizing-diesel.2200321/

View attachment 4383687

Is it OK to put a little gasoline in diesel fuel tank?


I personally wouldn't run it in a late model tier 4 diesel engine at 30%! Maybe 3-5% as a biocide if I KNEW there was a problem ...

Kero and #1-D is NOT the same! In the old days before ULSD you could use kero but it is mostly being advised against now.

Kerosene is essentially #1 diesel fuel, and while similar, they differ in key aspects like lubricity, energy density, and additives. Kerosene is a lighter, more refined fuel with lower lubricity, making it ideal for heaters and jet fuel, but potentially damaging to diesel engines. Diesel is heavier, has higher energy density, and contains additives for lubricating and cleaning fuel systems, making it suitable for diesel engines but less ideal for cold-weather heaters.

 

[IH3444]

I'll have to reread my Volkswagen diesel manuals, and repair shop manuals. I thought I remembered that you could use at below 20 degrees Fahrenheit 1 pint of regular gasoline to 10 gallons of diesel fuel.
A friend worked at an airport and in the winter, he would fill his tank with JP1, which I am believing is almost basically kerosene. It destroyed his engine after a few years. It was too energetic and pounded out his connection rod bearing. He said it ran great up to that point.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

No that picture of "some MB Diesel manual" says not to add kero to #1 ... Only to #2 diesel ...

I'm guessing this manual is from more than 30 years ago ... I'm guessing when my 1982 MB was made there were not the options we currently have for anti-gel additives ... Hence to recommended add gasoline to diesel in real cold weather ...

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I found the manual online at 1979 1985 Mercedes Benz 200d 240d 300d w123 Owners Manual | PDF | Electric Vehicle Manufacturers | Wheeled Vehicles ...

Here is the cover ...

And page 89 ...

A more clear copy ...

So up to 50% kerosene, or 30% gasoline ...

While my memory is correct I still would rather use the options we have today for anti-gel, these cars were made from 1979 to 1985 ... Lots have changed since then both on the mechanical side, and the fuel side ...

 

[LouNY]

And no recommendation for any temp below -8 F,
starting the dilution at 32 F.
Even wanting to cut winter diesel at +4 F.