do you guys use fuel additive in winter ?

[aeblank]

I don't use anything.
I just try to have fresh (season appropriate blend) fuel when cold rolls in.

 

[knightrider955]

Wonder if my XJ2025 should have additive in the fuel this winter....most guys I talk to say you don't need it...

Ive always added Power Service to my big 55hp tractor and plan on doing the same to my 2025. Whether I actually need it or not, its good peace of mind to have.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

We use Power Service year round..........no reason not to.Cheap insurance..

The only reason I can think of "not to" is, I had an injection pump go bad so I took it to my (at the time) pump rebuilder. He opened it while I was there and the first words out of his mouth was, "so, you been using Power Service huh?"...

A couple weeks later when I want to pick it up, he said, "use Power Service in it, don't bring it to me for warr..!!

I'd say that's a VERY GOOD reason...at least it is to me!!

Buy good fuel in the first place, that's all the insurance you need!!

SR

 

[RKJeepXJ]

The only reason I can think of "not to" is, I had an injection pump go bad so I took it to my (at the time) pump rebuilder. He opened it while I was there and the first words out of his mouth was, "so, you been using Power Service huh?"... A couple weeks later when I want to pick it up, he said, "use Power Service in it, don't bring it to me for warr..!! I'd say that's a VERY GOOD reason...at least it is to me!! Buy good fuel in the first place, that's all the insurance you need!! SR

Can you elaborate on what he saw that made him know you'd been using power service additive?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

His exact words were "excessive wear"...

SR

 

[Deere Dude]

Projecting TN weather related experiences to Upstate NY won't help the OP.

I use an anti-gel from October on. I've had fuel problems in winter before, they are no fun. If I can prevent trouble with a small investment and effort you can bet I will.

I just moved to Tennessee two years ago but was in central Wisconsin before that for the twenty years or so that I had a diesel of any kind. I bought a quart of Power Service or something and still have half a quart left after 10 years.

On this site a few years ago someone showed a chart on stabilizers and additives and most of them were snake oil and did nothing to enhance the longevity of the engine. But according to one poster, some may harm the engine.

 

[RickB]

I just moved to Tennessee two years ago but was in central Wisconsin before that for the twenty years or so that I had a diesel of any kind. I bought a quart of Power Service or something and still have half a quart left after 10 years.

On this site a few years ago someone showed a chart on stabilizers and additives and most of them were snake oil and did nothing to enhance the longevity of the engine. But according to one poster, some may harm the engine.

Guys that want to save a couple bucks and put all their faith in fuel suppliers are welcome to, that's not me. I spent too many winters professionally chasing iced up fuel and gelled up fuel to want anything to do with those problems, they are preventable.

Some products are clearly better than others, not naming names because everybody loves something, even Power Service. I call BS on the pump shop blaming P/S for pump damage UNLESS the user was heavily overdosing; too much of it is sold regardless of its effectiveness. Any product that damages fuel systems when used at published doses would be driven from the market, or at least widely mentioned here and similar places.

 

[RalphVa]

I wouldn't add it to the tractor fuel unless it sits in storage a long time at your house.

I put it in the 60 gallon tank of my diesel generator. Then I pump out of this tank to the tractor, most times. Need the anti algae, etc. for the long term storage in the generator tank.

Ralph

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Guys that want to save a couple bucks and put all their faith in fuel suppliers are welcome to, that's not me. I spent too many winters professionally chasing iced up fuel and gelled up fuel to want anything to do with those problems, they are preventable.

Some products are clearly better than others, not naming names because everybody loves something, even Power Service. I call BS on the pump shop blaming P/S for pump damage UNLESS the user was heavily overdosing; too much of it is sold regardless of its effectiveness. Any product that damages fuel systems when used at published doses would be driven from the market, or at least widely mentioned here and similar places.

You can call BS all you want, I told the truth and there's NO WAY he knew ahead of time that I used PS in my fuel. He really knew his business, and I quit PS that day...

As for trusting fuel suppliers, I lived in Alaska 25 years, (read COLD winters) owning diesels most of those years, and I live in a northern state now. NOONE of the farmers around me use anything in their fuel and combined, we use thousands of gallons of fuel in hundreds of different diesel engines... We all just can't be lucky...

If, you use your head when buying fuel, available diesel fuel just isn't all that bad, that it NEEDS anything added... Stations selling bad diesel would be out of business in no time.

SR

 

[CobyRupert]

When I first got my tractor in upstate NY, I too was unsure about if "winter fuel" would be ok. Being a weekender, I buy my diesel in 5 gallon quantities from a local station (Cumberland Farms).
To be sure, I called the station to see if they have a winter blend. Cashier has no clue but gives me the number of their head fuel department distribution guy. I call him and get a "Oh sure, we start blending in November, it's all good"
First cold morning, the tractor made it twenty feet out the barn door on their "blend" fuel. (What I suspect is their winter blend in Nov-Dec is not the same blend in Jan-Feb.)
I use the White Bottle in winter ever since (911 is only for an "after the fact" gelling application). Had no problems ever since.
The station is still in business.