Chronic gel problems

[Red Horse]

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

You are correct-same product. But not readily available. Years ago was a staple in the distribution network. If you are old enough you will remember it was pretty much the standard fuel in Detroit powered buses.

Today its not readily available-even in Northern states where much of it is blended into heat for outdoor 275's that are common mobile home installations.

 

[bandaidmd]

My initial kero/diesel mix was horribly inadequate. 50 gallons kero to nearly 300 gallons summer fuel. It didn't stand a chance. Luckily my fuel guys are really good and they're going to pump the summer diesel out of my 600 gallon site tank and use it for people's home heating oil and credit me for those gallons. Then I'm going to get a much smaller tank, so I can cycle through it MUCH more often, and fill it with well-mixed winter diesel. And I found a nearby NAPA that sells Howes so I'll add that too, instead of Power Service. Hopefully that solves the issue.
Yes, Scooby, I do have a plastic sight-glass on my screw-on filter. It's hellish to remove when I change the filter, but very handy for showing me when I've got a gel problem.
Graham, I don't know about Racor but I'll look into it. Are those heated filters? Do any of you guys use heated filters?
Red Horse, you must be a Norwich alum. That place is the only thing keeping this town alive, despite the fact that it's tax-free. It's the sole reason people come through here, unless you count covered bridges and Darned Tough socks.

Sure hope those peoples heating tank is in the basement & not outdoors.

 

[ovrszd]

Sure hope those peoples heating tank is in the basement not outdoors.

Heheheheh. Good point!!!!

 

[David_Kb7uns]

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.

Well once again your solution is not valid. You have red and clear here, where is this simple to get #1 at??

This is why people have heated filters and additives #1 is not simple to get!!!

You need to think a little more on your answers!!

David

 

[smfcpacfp]

Well once again your solution is not valid. You have red and clear here, where is this simple to get #1 at??

This is why people have heated filters and additives #1 is not simple to get!!!

You need to think a little more on your answers!!

David

All I can do is shake my head. Some people don't get it - and never will:confused2:

If you live in an underserved area, as you do, you don't have it available, but here we do

 

[smfcpacfp]

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.

We recently had a temperature of -34F, and occasionally that does happen. Fortunately I didn't need to use the tractor, but at that temperature you would almost need straight #1. Since it can get really cold here, I just use #1, and one of the wacky additives, but just for lubricating purposes, not as a means to reduce the gel point. When spring gets closer, I do blend #1 & 2, but I always error on the side of more than enough #1.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I run Howes up here for the last 5yrs with no problems. Run it in the diesel F250 and Kioti and we see temps well into negative double digits many, many times.....esp this year! We also get blended up here by late October/November so I make sure both get full tanks about that time.

 

[jpm1]

Personally i use Diesel 911. Like you, our temps drop way below 0 and i dont have a problem. I house about 450 gallons of diesel and have the tanks filled in the summer. I add the amount per bottle's instructions and my worries are over. When the Low Sulfer fuel came out, i had a lot of problems, my fuel distribuator recommended the 911, been using it ever since. I buy it at Walmart. Good luck. . . . John

 

[ovrszd]

We recently had a temperature of -34F, and occasionally that does happen. Fortunately I didn't need to use the tractor, but at that temperature you would almost need straight #1. Since it can get really cold here, I just use #1, and one of the wacky additives, but just for lubricating purposes, not as a means to reduce the gel point. When spring gets closer, I do blend #1 & 2, but I always error on the side of more than enough #1.

Several years ago I plowed snow with the grader in -27 degree temps with blended #1/#2 fuel with no problems. Hopefully I'll never see the -34F temp here. You can have that!!!! I can't live like that!!!