Chronic gel problems

[dragoneggs]

The solution is simple - use #1 Diesel. It's gel point is -40 F or C. You don't need heated filters, or heaters in your fuel tank and all of the wacky additives. I can't understand why people go through all of the wacky solutions they do, like the ones above, when there is a very simple. I guess most people can't get enough pain. Have you never heard of #1 diesel? If it is colder than -40 - stay inside. #1 diesel have very little lubricating qualities, so a lubricating additive would be helpful.


Save your summer diesel blend for summer.

Hmmm... so are you or not, a proponent of Power Service? Seems that it treats #2 diesel when you need it. Your solution is to use #1 diesel and start blending and then also use a lubricating adhesive. Sounds more of a pain to me than just adding the Power Service. I am learning here so don't look to me as an authority. :2cents:

 

[smfcpacfp]

Hmmm... so are you or not, a proponent of Power Service? Seems that it treats #2 diesel when you need it. Your solution is to use #1 diesel and start blending and then also use a lubricating adhesive. Sounds more of a pain to me than just adding the Power Service. I am learning here so don't look to me as an authority. :2cents:

If it is -10F how much Power Service do you use? -20F? -30F? Surely you don't think you would add the same amount of Power Service for any temperature. You don't need to blend anything with #1 diesel, it is good to -40F. I use OptiPlex XPD as a lubricating additive (not adhesive). I add 1 ounce per gallon. Before I go to buy diesel, I add about 5 ounces to my 5 gallon diesel can and fill with #1 diesel - what could be less complicated?

 

[smfcpacfp]

If it is so simple then where do I get #1 fuel at?

David

I would say at a diesel fuel station. If you live near Marquette, Michigan as I do, all truck stops and most gas stations carry #1 diesel. I think if you looked around you could find it, but people in warmer climates may not. It is usually $.50 more a gallon.

 

[dragoneggs]

If it is -10F how much Power Service do you use? -20F? -30F? Surely you don't think you would add the same amount of Power Service for any temperature. You don't need to blend anything with #1 diesel, it is good to -40F. I use OptiPlex XPD as a lubricating additive (not adhesive). I add 1 ounce per gallon. Before I go to buy diesel, I add about 5 ounces to my 5 gallon diesel can and fill with #1 diesel - what could be less complicated?

Oops! yes additive (sorry I have adhesive on the brain or maybe just the fumes) :laughing: I misunderstood thinking you were mixing #1 and #2 diesel. Okay, so no mixing other than the additive but now one has to have two storage containers for diesel? That said, I haven't seen #1 diesel around here but that doesn't mean that it can't be found but maybe a hassle? Don't know.

Granted you live in a much colder climate and thus your solution probably makes sense. For me I am thinking the Power Service makes sense. Doesn't get that cold (rarely under 20degF and at that point I can wait it out) and I can use the same fuel year 'round. To each is own... thanks for your thoughts and putting up with my ignorance.

 

[ovrszd]

The solution is simple - use #1 Diesel. It's gel point is -40 F or C. You don't need heated filters, or heaters in your fuel tank and all of the wacky additives. I can't understand why people go through all of the wacky solutions they do, like the ones above, when there is a very simple. I guess most people can't get enough pain. Have you never heard of #1 diesel? If it is colder than -40 - stay inside. #1 diesel have very little lubricating qualities, so a lubricating additive would be helpful.

Heheheh. You were on a roll until the end, then you suggested one of those "wacky" additives!!!

I suggest blending #1 and #2 to retain the lubricating properties of #2 without the "wacky" lubricating additive.

 

[ovrszd]

If it is -10F how much Power Service do you use? -20F? -30F? Surely you don't think you would add the same amount of Power Service for any temperature. You don't need to blend anything with #1 diesel, it is good to -40F. I use OptiPlex XPD as a lubricating additive (not adhesive). I add 1 ounce per gallon. Before I go to buy diesel, I add about 5 ounces to my 5 gallon diesel can and fill with #1 diesel - what could be less complicated?

I guess I should have done this before my previous post. I keep Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost on hand. Got the jug and read the directions. It states the following.

Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost is an antigel/winterizer that is used in the cold winter months to keep fuel filters from plugging with wax and to prevent fuel gelling. Prevents fuel gelling in temperatures as low as -40F. Equals performance of a 50/50 blend of #2 and #1 diesel fuels. Lowers cold filter plugging point (CFPP) as much as 36 degrees F. Boosts cetane up to 4 numbers for faster cold starts. Contains Slickdiesel Lubricator to protect fuel pumps and injectors. Contains anti-icing additives - protects againd fuel filter icing. Disperses water. Effective in all diesel fuels, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and biodiesel blands containing up to 20% biodiesel.

Mix ratio is 1 ounce of Power Service to each 3 gallons of Diesel Fuel.

I paid $12.99 for an 80 oz bottle which will treat $250 gallons of diesel. I run #2 diesel in my truck and add 5oz of Power Sevice with each fillup.

This Winter so far I've ran my Road Grader on straight #2 diesel with Power Service added at the recommended doseage. Ran yesterday in temps of -15F with no problems. Two townships next to me were down yesterday from gelled fuel. One of them borrowed our machine and ran last night to try to catch up. I only demanded that he not fill our Grader out of his fuel supply.....

I finally burned up what was left of my Summer #2 fuel yesterday. Now our storage tank is filled with 50/50 blend #2 and #1. I'll not add any additive to that mix.

Sorry for the lengthy post but I thought there was some very good information on the Power Service bottle.

 

[dodge man]

#1 and Kerosene are very similar, if not the same.

 

[DEWFPO]

The solution is simple - use #1 Diesel. It's gel point is -40 F or C. You don't need heated filters, or heaters in your fuel tank and all of the wacky additives. I can't understand why people go through all of the wacky solutions they do, like the ones above, when there is a very simple. I guess most people can't get enough pain. Have you never heard of #1 diesel? If it is colder than -40 - stay inside. #1 diesel have very little lubricating qualities, so a lubricating additive would be helpful.


Save your summer diesel blend for summer.

The local CO-Op here stopped selling #1 Diesel last year because folks (besides apparently me) weren't buying it and there are no truck stops around for at least 100 miles but you can find #2 diesel most everywhere you go.

DEWFPO

 

[ovrszd]

The local CO-Op here stopped selling #1 Diesel last year because folks (besides apparently me) weren't buying it and there are no truck stops around for at least 100 miles but you can find #2 diesel most everywhere you go.

DEWFPO

Yep, that's why I was curious about the Power Service I use. I had never read the jug. With my truck it's just easier to carry a bottle and add some when filling with Winter blend #2 Diesel. It would be an absolute pain to blend or run #1.

But as smfcpacfp mentioned, he only buys Diesel 5 gallon at a time and probably doesn't use more than 100 gallons a year. In that case, it might be easier to purchase #1???

But then,,, if a person's useage is that small, wouldn't it just be easier to continue to buy your fuel at the normal place and throw in some Power Service?? $12.99 jug treats 250 gallons of fuel. I'm sure there are several readers/posters on this thread that don't burn that much fuel in a year. And you only have to treat your Winter useage. Maybe I better reread the jug and see if it has a shelf life????

 

[Bota4me]

I run power service white bottle w #2 no problems yet down to -10f. However one of my neighbors runs kerosene all winter in his kubota . Says thats all he ever used growing up on a farm. What are your opinions on this? Also he has over 1500 hrs half of which are on kero in winter
So far he has been trouble free.....