Cold no start. Frozen fuel?

[Bavarian]

I had the fuel in my Kubota BX gel up years ago. Twice in the little factory filters and once in a Racor filter I had added. With the Racor even if I had added 911 it wasn’t going to ungel. I had to swap the filter out. It was obvious it was permanently plugged. It was a thick white material and I threw it outside but never melted even after it warmed up. I did add the recommended amount of 911 and it ran after swapping in a new filter.

This happened using Howes also. It happened after a few days of zero degree temperatures.

Your experience confirms what I keep on saying.
No amount of fuel conditioner will turn summer diesel into winter diesel.
Filling the tanks according to the season is the only way to go.
I make it every year without any fuel conditioner. No problem at all.

The white stuff that you found in your filter is the problem. And I did the same as you one day, saved the clogged filters and the stuff never melted even when spring came around. That was on my semi truck when I came home with too much southern fuel left in the tanks.

 

[Flogger]

I had the fuel in my Kubota BX gel up years ago. Twice in the little factory filters and once in a Racor filter I had added. With the Racor even if I had added 911 it wasn’t going to ungel. I had to swap the filter out. It was obvious it was permanently plugged. It was a thick white material and I threw it outside but never melted even after it warmed up. I did add the recommended amount of 911 and it ran after swapping in a new filter.

This happened using Howes also. It happened after a few days of zero degree temperature

Once it has gelled up the filter will be compromised by paraffin. I always change the filter after gel problems. I have been running about 20% kerosene the last couple of years and then a good dose of atf for lube. Knock on wood it seems to have cured my problem child Kubota. Of course I added a marine fuel filter and increased the fuel line size on it so that likely helped also.

 

[ray66v]

Once it has gelled up the filter will be compromised by paraffin. I always change the filter after gel problems. I have been running about 20% kerosene the last couple of years and then a good dose of atf for lube. Knock on wood it seems to have cured my problem child Kubota. Of course I added a marine fuel filter and increased the fuel line size on it so that likely helped also.

That was okay 20 years ago.

But, an independent study when ultra low sulfur diesel was mandated, found adding things like ATF, or used motor oil, actually reduced lubricity in ULSD fuel.

The common popular diesel fuel additives had to be reformulated because of this effect.

https://www.jatonkam35s.com/DeuceTechnicalManuals/Diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf

 

[RayIN]

The only engine oil designed to be burned in an engine is 2-cycle oil. The additives in motor oils and ATF are not designed to burn.

 

[Flogger]

Been running atf in my old 7.3 since I bought it with 181k on it. Mileage has gone from 12ish to near 20. That’s my independent study.

 

[ray66v]

Been running atf in my old 7.3 since I bought it with 181k on it. Mileage has gone from 12ish to near 20. That’s my independent study.

The study I cited, was only the beginning. There is a lot of additional information that has come out since then, which is readily available by a Google search.

I understand your decision to disregard it.

I'm pointing it out for those who read this thread, and wish to have all the available information on the matter, before they make their decision.

 

[Flogger]

I don’t question the difficulties encountered with guvmint fuel but about half of the things tested were cleaners which would indicate solvents. I was shocked that there was no Power Service white jug that is hands down the best seller around here. I use standard Power Service in the winter to help with moisture and gelling. The atf has served me well for years in my pickups and my tractors. I even use it as an occasional engine flush.

 

[ruffdog]

I don’t question the difficulties encountered with guvmint fuel but about half of the things tested were cleaners which would indicate solvents. I was shocked that there was no Power Service white jug that is hands down the best seller around here. I use standard Power Service in the winter to help with moisture and gelling. The atf has served me well for years in my pickups and my tractors. I even use it as an occasional engine flush.

Many things have changed over the years like technology and fuel/oil formulations. We now have common rail diesels and grandpa's fuel and ATF fluid doesn't exist anymore.