Dumb diesel question

[Richard]

Since I'm new to a diesel powered machine...

Regarding gelling and such, what temperature (approx) does diesel gel? If I use 5 gallon containers, should I put a requisite amount of anti-gel stuff in each container, or fill er up, and put a larger requisite amount into fuel tank?

If diesel gels at say "0" degrees (for a reference), then does it "UN-gel" when the temperature rises? sort of like ice melting?

Any benefits to using anti-gel year round? (any OTHER benefits) or just when cold?

If you have a gelled situation, I presume your beast won't start either at ALL or very easily. What's the best way to remedy the situation?

Thanks
Richard

 

[Bird]

Richard, I don't remember at what temperature diesel gels, but of course, it's different for #1 and #2 diesel. If you're going to use an additive, I'd recommend you put it in the 5 gallon container when you fill it instead of adding it to the fuel tank on the tractor (just a personal opinion that it might get better mixed quicker, although I know some folks who add it to the tractor fuel tank). Of course, if you let it gel in the 5 gallon container, then you'll need the additive before pouring it into the tractor. And yes, if it gels, it will un-gel when it warms up. Other benefits of the additives include moisture dispersal, injector cleaning, smoke reduction, lubrication, etc. which is why I use it year round.

There are undoubtedly lots of places on the Internet to read about the fuels and additives. I don't know where the best place to find information would be, but you might start with http://www.chevron.com, click on fuels, then technical and safety bulletins and find some interesting reading.

Bird

 

[Richard]

Thank you Bird. I just smacked myself upside the head and thought of something rather obvious. I called the Co-op where I get my #2 and asked if they carried diesel additives. Can you just IMAGINE that they DO??? Guess I know who I'll be talking to and asking questions when I fill up my 4 or 5 cans this upcomimg weekend.

Richard

 

[Thomas]

Richard,
Maybe this will help??
Can you purchase your fuel where your local town or city fills there equipment,or contactors?
Buy a name brand of fuel for its cheaper in the long run.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[ejb]

When I order my diesel, I just tell them I want the winter mix, and they put in the additive for me. Not even sure if I need to ask them to do that because I am guessing (but am not sure) that this is probably done automatically in most cold weather regions during the cold season.

 

[TomG]

Bird, you may have seen Jeff B's post on CTB that gave some specs for diesel fuels. Below are some of the stats given for #2.

"...And here's what they say about their #2 diesel fuel: Mobil #2 Diesel Fuel (LS) is a low sulfur diesel fuel designed to meet the requirements of ASTM D975 Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils, grade No. 2-D, low sulfur. Mobil #2 Diesel Fuel (LS) is the everyday grade of diesel fuel for use in all heavy-duty diesel applications. Cetane Number 40 min CN Gravity @ 60° F 30 min ° API Total Sulfur 0.05 max Wt % Flash Point 125 min ° F Viscosity @ 104° F 1.9/4.1 min/max cSt Northeast Fuel Cloud Point (Apr-Aug) 20 max ° F Cloud Point (Sept-Mar) 15 max ° F Midwest Fuel Cloud Point (Mar-July) 20 max ° F Cloud Point (Aug-Feb) 15 max ° F..."

From Jeff's post, it seems like refiners provide different blends for different regions and seasons, so a single temperature for gelling can't ge given. However, a cloud point of 15F during the winter in the N.E. is given.

The cloud point is where the wax crystals start forming, and incidentally start clogging the fuel filter. One important point in all of this is that anti-gel works like anti-freeze. It doesn't do much of anything after fuel is gelled. Gelled fuel has to be warmed to ungel it, and at least somebody said that their gelled fuel never was quite right after warming it. At any rate, my reason for putting the anti-gel into my fuel cans is that I don't want to store fuel in my heated basement, and I don't want it to gel sitting in the garage.

Thanks to Jeff and the CTB for this information.

 

[Bird]

Yep, TomG, I had read that, but couldn't get remember who posted it or where. Memory's slipping, like some other things, in my old age./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I do wonder what the weather is going to be like up north this year. It's sure been crazy down south. Our "normal" temperature this time of year should be 46 to 68 and this morning it's 26F with a heavy frost./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif I've never been concerned about diesel gelling, but I might have to start considering that possibility before this winter is over.

Bird

 

[hayden]

I had this experience, and may have posted about it in the past, but my mind is going soft too.

I had fuel left from the summer in my machine and it got cold. I started it and the fuel filter quickly filled with wax goop. I scraped it out and put in in a coffee can in my basement (60 deg or so). The solids were still solid in the spring.

I don't know if fuel just sitting in a jug would recover after gelling. My experience my be due to the separating effect of the filter on gelling fuel.

If I feel motivated, maybe I'll do an experiment when it gets colder.

Peter

 

[Williy]

I use the white jug service something year round
so never have any problems with jello in the fuel

willy

 

[dodge man]

I’ve had my fuel gel 3 times. Usually when it got down near zero and stayed that way. This happened with anti gel additives also, I was using Howes. I now dump some kerosene in now, maybe 20%. They blend no 1 and 2 a lot of times but you never know when. In one case I through my fuel filter outside, the gelled fuel never did melt even when it got warm, but I think the wax like substance separated out.