Diesel Gelling - Never Would Have Expected It

[dodge man]

I don't think the 911 stuff is suppose to be used all the time. Might be a little hard on the fuel system?

 

[radioman]

I don't think it's a water issue. If it was, you wouldn't see just getting but ice pellets like in filter. It does sound like summer blend with weak ps additive or g high bio content. You can always call ps company and explain it to them. By the way, did you know that ps changed the dosage and it's not the same as old ps bottles. I always double check the directions and use black sharp ie to mark lines need to add

 

[sadie72]

I had my first case of gelling today. Always use winter blend and PS white this time of year. I lost all faith in white and will use red 911 from today forward. It was 911 and a filter change out that got me going again today.

 

[Patrickdozer]

Always added extra half gallon or gallon of kerosene,plus 911 or equivalent. Once in awhile would add some fuel dryer which is alcohol just for extra insurance. I don't like being caught with my pants down especially miles from house and in the middle of the night.

 

[mikehaugen]

I run power service white bottle year-round for the lubrication and never switch to the silver bottle because I had never had an issue. Now maybe I should. I also have never had to use the red "911" bottle, in fact I don't even have any around- I need to reconsider that as well I guess. My question is, since I don't go through a lot of fuel throughout the year and I don't know how long a couple 5 gallon can will last, is there any reason not to run the silver bottle all year?

Well I'm an idiot. I have been using the winter blend year-round and must have forgotten. I guess over the years I got confused and thought the white bottle was the basic and the silver was for winter.

Anyway, looking on their website they claim you should not use the white year-round. Not sure why, maybe it's because they say the silver is more of a cleaner? Maybe I'll contact them, as it is difficult the judge how long I may be using the fuel. A tank may last me through two seasons if I'm not using the tractor much.

 

[gsmaneeley]

Sdk. Just a thought. I see you fueled up in nov. I am going out on a limb and since you said you put 5 gal in you used a can of some sort. I am suggesting that when you purchased fuel the station hadn't changed over to winter blend. I don't burn too much fuel so I wait as late in the year as I can and when I get fuel I go to a place that the big rigs fuel up. ( truck stop) and I know they are running fresh stuff even a small amount of summer fuel can cause a gel up. My neighbor had a brand new bx and gelled up as the fuel that was in the tank was from the dealer summer weight. Glad you got it sorted out enjoy

 

[SPYDERLK]

mikehaugen, I would say your doing fine, diesel will last quite a while.
I would keep a bottle of 911 on hand for those extremely cold days, and throw a couple of "caps" in at fill.
I always throw a couple of caps of "KleenFlo" in my 5 gallon can during winter.
I did have a problem once as you described, it was -25C, closer to -40C with the wind, it made it home, but barely, threw some 911 in and it solved the problem.

Fuel is not affected by windchill.

 

[candoarms]

sdk131,

I live in one of the coldest places in the lower 48 states. Here's what I know about what happened to your tractor.

First and foremost, you aren't using your tractor near often enough. You let it sit too long. Moisture condenses out of the air when it makes contact with the inside of your fuel tank. Drop by drop....day by day.....this water adds up to a whopping amount over a period of several months. The situation is made worse when the temperatures go from very warm on one day, to extremely cold the next.

Some helpful tips for you.......

1. Never park your tractor with a partially filled tank. Leaving the tank nearly empty of fuel means that your tank is nearly full of moisture-laden air.
2. Use your tractor more often. I know this is difficult to do when you don't really need it, but it's important that you run your tractor enough to rid the tank of any small amount of moisture that will build up internally, due to condensation.
3. Using fuel additives is a great idea, but it doesn't solve the core issue of moisture entering your tank.
4.Moisture in the fuel tank leads to another much more serious problem. Algae lives in water, and it will begin to grow and colonize in the moisture sitting in the bottom of your fuel tank. This colony of algae will eventually turn into a slime that will plug everything in your fuel system. Biocides added to your fuel will help prevent this slime from forming, but again the root cause of the problem is related to moisture condensation.

Hope this helps.

Joel

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't even understand all of this Power service use?? I don't use ANY additives at all, and I've NEVER had any fuel problems at all, and it goes below zero here! I started my tractor today, it was 7*, it started right up and once warmed up, it ran perfectly...

Years ago, I took an injection pump, to a reputable pump rebuild shop, they opened it up and said right off "you been using power service?? and I had! Once rebuilt, they told me, "use power service with this pump, and i will void the warr". I NEVER used power service again and that was a lot of years ago!

In the fall I start using fuel from a gas station that moves quite a bit of fuel and like I said, I don't use anything with it and I've never had even one problem....and that's not in just one tractor, it's in every diesel I run in the winter!

My neighbor uses more fuel in the winter than I do, he doesn't use additives either... Same with my brother...

SR

 

[vtsnowedin]

I think candoarms has it about right. I don't claim to have it all worked out but I'm becoming a fan of draining moisture out of the bottom of your fuel tank and the fuel filter on a regular basis. I also think / know that a 30% mix of kerosene to diesel gives a lot less problems and lets you KNOW what grade is in your tank. I can't say that I have seen PS white bottle actually do anything in the way of moisture removal and the red 911 only seems to work if your also bleeding lines and changing filters. If someone would place some quart jars filled with diesel and say a quarter cup of water in the freezer (or in my case out on the deck for the night) and have a control untreated jar, and a white bottle jar treated as per directions and red 911 jars and a summer grade biodiesel jar both treated and untreated we could probably find if this stuff is worth the $9.95 a bottle or not.