Oil & Fuel Diesel is clouded again!!

[klrobert]

The diesel came from a convenience store.

I think that may be your problem. Try to buy from some place that sells a lot of fuel. If your fuel is cloudy, it could be an algae problem instead of gelling. Just something to check.

 

[ccsial]

I gelled up worse with the power service the last time it happened. I just got home from work and the filter looks worse than this morning. We're at about 20 deg right now.

20 degrees??? You must have bad fuel. I have heard bio diesel gels easier but I have no personal experience with it. Is yours bio diesel? I run #2 all year, The last two years I have run ULSD. I put Power service in the 300 gallon storage tank and add a bit of Howse to the tractors in real cold weather. I also run a 2 micron filter on my storage tank. I have never had a problem even at -10f.

 

[john_bud]

Don't forget that once the wax has crystalized it needs to be heated up to 60F (70F is better) for a MINIMUM of 6 hours. It takes time to melt the wax. Also, the additives are "cloud point depressants" that means they work by keeping the wax from forming. (or forming into much smaller pieces). Adding them after you are gelled up (in reality clouded), does little.

You may also have water in the fuel. The additives are not going to help with ice. You would need a product for diesel rescue. Like Diesel 911 and others.

jb

 

[cappys tractor]

the issue with diesel is more complicated than is posted.

the new formation of diesel is typically blended with bio diesel, or some quantity of ulsd (ultra low sulfur diesel) or another trick is to blend it with kero at the distributor. these formulations are done at the seller and buyers specifications, depending on the time of year, and for the forecast period when it is intended to be used.

it is possible you could get a left over batch of straight summer diesel in the winter (if the place has a low volume of sales.)

or you could get a batch of diesel mixed with 'bio diesel' which is VERY cloudy, almost milky in appearance, gels easily, and is HARD to clean out. (it takes several tanks while being agitated to get all the crud out) I am not happy with Bio diesel in situations where life and death is concerned. i think this is a problem which will come to fruition after an accident due to gelling and contamination, filter clogging from bio diesel. (sorry for the rant, just MHO) BUT, not every place sell bio diesel or bio diesel blends.

the best idea is to blend your own diesel/ kero mix, i use 70% diesel, 30% kero. i bought a 5 gallon fuel tank, and simply put in 3 gallons of diesel, and 1 1/2 gallon of kero. I can't lift the whole thing above the tractor safely when it is filled with 5 gallons, thus the low volume! just make sure you buy diesel at a reputable station that does a high volume of sales. ASK them if it is biodiesel (or a bio diesel blend) if it is, find another station. usually they will advertise bio diesel, thinking it is 'green' and more attractive.

the additives are a waste of time and money. per quart they are about five time more expensive than just buying kero and blending your own.

 

[LBrown59]

1*the best idea is to blend your own diesel/ kero mix, i use 70% diesel, 30% kero.

1*But only if you are blending the kero with summer blend diesel and not winter blend diesel.

 

[cappys tractor]

1*But only if you are blending the kero with summer blend diesel and not winter blend diesel.

you're correct. i made a hasty assumption that all would be using 5 gallons per season as i seem to use. not necessarily a one size fits all approach huh?

i always make one batch in the fall, while the summer blend is out, and it lasts me the winter.

a quart of 911 costs 8$ or so. while a blend of kero and diesel costs NO more than the volume you are buying. go figure!

 

[EE_Bota]

This may not help now, but it might help someone in a bind some time.

Any biodiesel, summer diesel, etc can be filtered on a very cold day to remove things that will clog your tractor filter. Biodiesel can be used as jet fuel using this process. Someone actually won award for discovering this. (I bet you wish you knew this was a question, and there was an award for the answer!)

The waxes provide an energy bonus, and should not be wasted, or filtered needlessly, however. The waxes, higher compression ratio, and low intake manifold restriction accounts for almost all the mpg difference between a diesel and a gas engine.

Some of you fellows live in such a cold place, you might benefit from 12VDC heat trace tape.
Water Line Heat Trace Freeze Protection For Cottage, Home, Commercial Water Pipe Applications - Heatline

 

[George2615]

Why do they still have #2 summer blend in the dead of winter?
All we have is #1 winter blend.
#2 summer blend won't be available till spring.

I don't know. I'll ask the next time I fill up. Their separate pumps are labeled #1 & #2 diesel.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

I'm working the problem today. I pulled the filter, put 50/50 diesel and Power Diesel 911 in the bowl and let that set. I still gotta get some spare fuel filters doh! Interesting is that the fuel in the tank is fine and so is the fuel in the lines. The waxy gunk is forming on the filter itself.

While I was waiting, I replaced the check chains with the telescopic adjusters from a B2910. Much better IMO.

 

[PUSHINDIRT]

ETW,
I was shocked to read in one of your previous posts that your filter had gelled up. There is nothing more frustrating than only being able to run your tractor at idle if at all.

Like others have recommended change your fuel source. Good luck changing the filters today. I know up here it just hit 41 degrees. If that doesn't work just move south and sell me your snowblower!

 

[Evil the Weasel]

The strange thing is, the tractor ran fine the two times the filter gelled. Thick gooey wax on the filter element, but it still ran fine and throttle was normal. I have it all set for now. Thanks for responses. I had no idea it would generate so many.

 

[LBrown59]

*you're correct. i made a hasty assumption that all would be using 5 gallons per season as i seem to use. not necessarily a one size fits all approach huh?

i always make one batch in the fall, while the summer blend is out, and it lasts me the winter.

a quart of 911 costs 8$ or so. while a blend of kero and diesel costs NO more than the volume you are buying. go figure!

*I did the math:
If you take 70 gallon of winter blend diesel and add 30 gallon of kero to it you don't end up with a 70 30 blend of diesel / Kero.
What you wind up with is a 49 gallon of diesel and a 51 gallon of kero mix.
So the true ratio is 49/51.
49 gallons of diesel to 51 gallons of kero is way to rich in kero to be good for your tractor.

 

[AKwelder]

the local store has "Blended" diesel and does an Okay job. My wife gets mad when i send her for diesel and she has to drive ten miles past it to get diesel for the tractor. The truck stop down the road has #1 and #2 at the pump. I buy from places that have high volume.

Anyway, in the coldest of winter they sell two grades of number one and one number 2. The two grades of number 1 each have a listed temp, but I don't remember the label as to what the temp is for.

Each type of diesel has different amounts of additive, and they don't want to add anymore than they have to. SO if they think that they can get away with half the additive they will only put half in. Not all diesel is up to standard.

 

[JoeL4330]

Here's another answer ...engine heater w.o. need for electricity, and warm your fuel, as well

 

[LBrown59]

the local store has "Blended" diesel and does an Okay job. My wife gets mad when i send her for diesel and she has to drive ten miles past it to get diesel for the tractor. The truck stop down the road has #1 and #2 at the pump. I buy from places that have high volume.

My fuel comes from the local Ashland Bulk Plant.
Can't get any fresher than that.