Diesel additive, is it a must?

[jlrsn]

This thread is getting quite long and the problem is that many tractor and diesel truck/car owners believe what is posted as gospel. It originally started out as a question of using Diesel Fuel Additives.

Many posting here believe that using straight Diesel Fuel #1 will solve all their cold gelling problems. It is true that due to the lack of paraffins found in Diesel Fuel #2 that Diesel Fuel #1 will usually not gell until approximately minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius. You get about the same results using Kerosene but like with Kerosene you don't have any of the benefits offered by the use of Diesel Fuel Additives.

A quick Google search can find more credible info than most want to read but take a moment to read in detail what Diesel Fuel Additives do for Diesel Fuel as written by the Independent Towers Of Washington. This group is not selling anything but gives a very good credible explanation of Diesel Fuel Additives.

Diesel Fuel Additives

I personally use Stanadyne Performance Formula and have never had cold weather problems since using it. I live most of the year where it is usually below zero Fahrenheit in the winter and minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit is not uncommon.
Good luck,
Jim

 

[Coyote machine]

When I ran my foreign car only garage back in the 80's we used to see quite a few Mercedes diesels from southern New England and mid-atlantic states on vacation in the mountains of VT. They would come up for the holidays to ski, or whatever and their engines would not turn over; and if they did they would not start due to frozen fuel, (gelled fuel), fuel lines, fuel filters, etc.
We'd bring them in on a flatbed, lift them into the air of the shop and thaw them out. Change all the filters, oil and whatever else needed servicing. We'd add Red Line Diesel fuel catalyst to the fuel and run the car outside to make sure everything was good to go.
Most times we would not hear about any further problems about starting. We would advise them to get a block heater and treat their fuel before venturing north.
I haven't used Red Line in years because I sold my shop and haven't had anything diesel until now. But I can say it was at the time the ONLY additive approved by Benz for use with their cars. I will likely go back to using it because it was known for breaking down microscopic molecules of water in fuel filters that, (in addition possible paraffin gelling), or on their own could stop a diesel in its tracks due to those molecules turning to ice in the filter.
Everyone should do what is known to work in the area(climate) in which they live and with the equipment needs and use of their particular situation- IMHO.
Good luck and protect your investment by using what science provides to make things run smoother - especially with ULSD!!

 

[coobie]

This thread is getting quite long and the problem is that many tractor and diesel truck/car owners believe what is posted as gospel. It originally started out as a question of using Diesel Fuel Additives.

Many posting here believe that using straight Diesel Fuel #1 will solve all their cold gelling problems. It is true that due to the lack of paraffins found in Diesel Fuel #2 that Diesel Fuel #1 will usually not gell until approximately minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius. You get about the same results using Kerosene but like with Kerosene you don't have any of the benefits offered by the use of Diesel Fuel Additives.

A quick Google search can find more credible info than most want to read but take a moment to read in detail what Diesel Fuel Additives do for Diesel Fuel as written by the Independent Towers Of Washington. This group is not selling anything but gives a very good credible explanation of Diesel Fuel Additives.

Diesel Fuel Additives

I personally use Stanadyne Performance Formula and have never had cold weather problems since using it. I live most of the year where it is usually below zero Fahrenheit in the winter and minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit is not uncommon.
Good luck,
Jim

Stanadyne PF is good and I used it all of the time.My problem was when it got real cold(zero) and below the stanadyne would start to freeze in the bottles when left out in my unheated barn.That is when I switched to schaeffers diesel treat.For more information google this spicer lubricty report.coobie

 

[jlrsn]

Stanadyne PF is good and I used it all of the time.My problem was when it got real cold(zero) and below the stanadyne would start to freeze in the bottles when left out in my unheated barn.That is when I switched to schaeffers diesel treat.coobie

I often wondered about Schaeffer Diesel Treat as I've never heard anything bad about any of their products.

It's true that Stanadyne Performance Formula states that it should not be left in freezing temps prior to being mixed with Diesel Fuel. I've bought it in 5 gallon containers and have left it in unheated storage and never experienced problems. Lately I buy a case of 16 oz bottles at a time. Most of the diesel additives have almost hidden notes such as Howes suggesting using kerosene with their additive for best results. My home in the Rockies is 1,300 miles from my home in CA and I drive back and forth pulling my flatbed cargo trailer every 3 or 4 months and try to buy from large suppliers such as Flying J but never knowing I always treat my diesel fuel.

I leave my tractor up in the Rockies and I always treat my Diesel Fuel as the temps usually get below zero Fahrenheit most of the time in the winter. I also keep spare fuel filters just in case.

I've kept info for years regarding Diesel and Jet Fuel Additives and one pdf file that is extremely informative is:

http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdata/tsbs/91-1R3.pdf

Take care,
Jim

 

[jlrsn]

.For more information google this spicer lubricty report.coobie

As suggested by coobie I Googled and found many references to Arlen Spicer's Diesel Additives Test Report but finally found a pff copy.

I realized that I had seen it in the past but never kept a copy. For those that want a copy to download see:

http://www.johnfjensen.com/Diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf

Jim

 

[gerard]

Anywhere in the northern states they use a winter mix (think it has more kersosene in it which doesn't gel like diesel). Truck stops are best source as they turn over the diesel a lot quicker than the corner store. Usually this is only a problem in oct/nov if you get a load before they switch over. Mid winter they all run the winter blend so you don't need an additive. I have a diesel pu that I don't add anything to but I DO use additive in my tractor because I use my home heating oil in that and I'm not sure if THAT's a winter blend. (I've seen many a long haul trucker that filled up down south and gelled up when he hit our area. Good business for the service trucks who have to come and thaw them out!)

 

[Duffster]

Anywhere in the northern states they use a winter mix (think it has more kersosene in it which doesn't gel like diesel). Truck stops are best source as they turn over the diesel a lot quicker than the corner store. Usually this is only a problem in oct/nov if you get a load before they switch over. Mid winter they all run the winter blend so you don't need an additive. I have a diesel pu that I don't add anything to but I DO use additive in my tractor because I use my home heating oil in that and I'm not sure if THAT's a winter blend. (I've seen many a long haul trucker that filled up down south and gelled up when he hit our area. Good business for the service trucks who have to come and thaw them out!)

I am not sure what you consider a northern state but we don't use K1 in the blend here.

 

[gerard]

I am not sure what you consider a northern state but we don't use K1 in the blend here.

Good point I guess I would certainly consider wisconsin a "northern" state for purposes of my post. Your truck stops don't use a winter blend????????? It may not be kerosene but I'd find it odd that they use the same blend in the winter that they do in summer. You get pretty cold up there don't you???

 

[Diamondpilot]

We get a winter blend here in Norther Indiana. Maybe they run winter blend all the time up there in WI??? They only have 2 seasons, Winter and August.

Chris

 

[jlrsn]

I keep reading about how commercial truckers don't use additives. My sister and brother in law owned/operated 18 wheelers going coast to coast every week and always used additives to prevent gelling even with D1 winter blend. They started to use additives after they had one truck stall out in the North East on a bridge enroute to Boston and it cost about $1k to get them towed off the long bridge, thawed out, and on the road again.

Where I live in the Rockies they always switch to D1 for the winter and I have helped many a local trucker (and tow trucks) who had gelled on the highway when the temps were -20F and colder. A batch of D2 might have been in the pipeline by mistake but all it takes is to gel once to change your thinking.

To each his own,
Jim