Summer Diesel Fuel in the Winter

[TomK]

This will be my first winter with my 3054XL and the first time I've owned a diesel tractor. I’ve heard there is a difference between summer and winter fuel. I will be deploying to Iraq in two weeks and my wife will be using the tractor to clear the drive. The tractor will be living outside in the weather. Is she going to have problems with the summer fuel at 0 to 32 degrees?

[Bob_Skurka]

Tom, first, good luck in Iraq. A friend in the Indiana National Guard, is en route to Afghanistan and should arrive in a matter of days.

As far as your question, the answer is probably not. Below 0 and the things get pretty iffy. If you want to be extra double safe, you can run to the local NAPA store, or probably any gas station that sells diesel, and pick up a quart of "diesel anti gel" for a few bucks. The stuff is concentrated and a quart will probably treat 20 to 40 gallons, depending on the brand. Simply show her how to mix the anti gel into the diesel tank and she will be fine. If she gets new diesel in the winter, it will very likely already have an anti-gelling compound added to it.

We don't add anti-gel to our fleet until the temps in our area drop below 5 or 10 degrees, and then that is really more of a belt & suspenders sort theory. Below 0 and I would use anti-gel.

[TomK]

There’s no way she is going to play with the fuel. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] I intended to have everything setup so all she has to do is hop on and start clearing. Would it hurt anything if I added the anti gel stuff when I top off the tank before I leave just in case?

[jayhawkRoy]

Best of luck to you on your deployment.

To be on the safe, less problem side, have your wife get a quart of diesel additive like Power Service. It is good, relatively cheap insurance for problem avoidance in the winter. I intend to start treating all of my summer fuel and what's in the tractor's tank starting in October. Because I expect the tractor's use to go down in the winter, and because I have about a 20 gal tank on the tractor, I will start early in the treatment process. I am not sure I will even use the full tank of diesel in the winter, so I decided it is better to be safe than sorrry.
At least, for the Power Service brand diesel additive, you can put in a bit more than what is called for, and there are no negative consequences for mis-measuring.

Please let your wife know that if she does have any tractor problems or questions, don't hesitate to contact TBN. We will all do our best to help her out.

Just saw your second note. No harm in putting in the additive and topping off the tank now, vs later.

Regards, Roy

[NIXON]

First of all , Thanks for serving your country ! Guys like you make this country what it is .
I agree with Jay . Use an anti jell (wax )additive beforehand .
My personal preference is Stanadyne . But most any anti jell will be just fine .
Good luck,stay safe ,and all the best , John

[dummy]

When I lived in Denver the problem was keeping the tank from gelling up in the cold. The additives do help though. How about the block heater, does she know how to use that too?
Sorry to hear about your travel plans. Hope you get a better travel agent than the one's we had.
Here's to a happy homecoming and fond memories of your adventure.

[TomK]

Thanks for everyones help. I'll try to post some pictures of Iraqi tractors when I get down range. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[KiotiMutt]

Don't get down range.....that's where the bullets are going.

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

I went from Texas to northern Illinois a few years ago. I still had southern diesel in the tank when I got there. Overnight the temp dropped to near zero. The next morning I had **** starting my truck.

KiotiMutt