Gelled Fuel?

[LBrown59]

Re: Gelled Fuel?
Seems like I read about several issues concerning this subject every winter.
It's nearly always about it happening to tractors but almost never concerns trucks and cars .
Are tractors more prone to the effects of gelled fuel than are trucks and cars ?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Re: Gelled Fuel?
Seems like I read about several issues concerning this subject every winter.
It's nearly always about it happening to tractors but almost never concerns trucks and cars .
Are tractors more prone to the effects of gelled fuel than are trucks and cars ?

In my case it was really related to low fuel consumption from this summer. I've finished alot of my tractor related projects so this summer I used the tractor abit less than normal. So if I had used the tractor more I would've had a cold weather diesel mix in the tank rather than left over summer blend.

Car's and trucks don't usually sit like tractors so I suspect that maybe the reason you hear about this alot more with tractors .

Matt

 

[MyJoBota]

Re: Gelled Fuel?
Seems like I read about several issues concerning this subject every winter.
It's nearly always about it happening to tractors but almost never concerns trucks and cars .
Are tractors more prone to the effects of gelled fuel than are trucks and cars ?

I know the big three truck manufacturers have been running fuel heators in their trucks for several years now. I am not sure it's common practice on tractors especially CUTS.

 

[Gizmo2]

Re: Gelled Fuel?
Seems like I read about several issues concerning this subject every winter.
It's nearly always about it happening to tractors but almost never concerns trucks and cars .
Are tractors more prone to the effects of gelled fuel than are trucks and cars ?

I know my tractor sits in the cold for days on end and maybe weeks. Where as most cars and trucks are use more often. I don't think it's the one cold shot that does it so much as the prolonged cold and not being used, just sitting and not mixing.

 

[greg_g]

I don't think it's the one cold shot that does it so much as the prolonged cold and not being used, just sitting and not mixing.

Nope. One cold shot will do it. Soon as it warms up, it will "un-gel". Next time there's a real cold snap, the cycle starts again. It's not outside the realm of possibility that - if your tractor sits idle over a nasty winter - it could actually gel several times. Come spring when you next start the, you will likely be unaware that it even happened.

Here's a short primer and some links regarding diesel gelling.

Water in the fuel also contributes to gelling, because it raises the cloud point. Water typically gets into your fuel two ways; already contaminated at the point of sale, or condensation in a partially full fuel tank. Condensation is a natural occurrence caused by the day/night heat/cool cycle. It forms on the inside tank walls that are exposed to the air. As such, I try to top up my tractor after each use - year round - so that condensation is given no place to form. Another measure is to regularly check for water in the sediment bowl (or separator). If you see it there, you can be pretty dang sure it came from the tank.

//greg//

 

[sunnyside360]

Nope. One cold shot will do it. Soon as it warms up, it will "un-gel". Next time there's a real cold snap, the cycle starts again. It's not outside the realm of possibility that - if your tractor sits idle over a nasty winter - it could actually gel several times. Come spring when you next start the, you will likely be unaware that it even happened.

Here's a short primer and some links regarding diesel gelling.

Water in the fuel also contributes to gelling, because it raises the cloud point. Water typically gets into your fuel two ways; already contaminated at the point of sale, or condensation in a partially full fuel tank. Condensation is a natural occurrence caused by the day/night heat/cool cycle. It forms on the inside tank walls that are exposed to the air. As such, I try to top up my tractor after each use - year round - so that condensation is given no place to form. Another measure is to regularly check for water in the sediment bowl (or separator). If you see it there, you can be pretty dang sure it came from the tank.

//greg//

Greg, good explanation of diesel fuel gelling. This is why it is important to use additives in cold climates and to keep the fuel tank filled. Fuel additive in the summer also will help to prevent algae forming in diesel fuel. Learned all this years ago the hard way. :thumbsup:

 

[Gizmo2]

Nope. One cold shot will do it. Soon as it warms up, it will "un-gel". Next time there's a real cold snap, the cycle starts again. It's not outside the realm of possibility that - if your tractor sits idle over a nasty winter - it could actually gel several times. Come spring when you next start the, you will likely be unaware that it even happened.

Here's a short primer and some links regarding diesel gelling.

Water in the fuel also contributes to gelling, because it raises the cloud point. Water typically gets into your fuel two ways; already contaminated at the point of sale, or condensation in a partially full fuel tank. Condensation is a natural occurrence caused by the day/night heat/cool cycle. It forms on the inside tank walls that are exposed to the air. As such, I try to top up my tractor after each use - year round - so that condensation is given no place to form. Another measure is to regularly check for water in the sediment bowl (or separator). If you see it there, you can be pretty dang sure it came from the tank.

//greg//

:thumbsup: Thanks

 

[LBrown59]

In my case it was really related to low fuel consumption from this summer. I've finished alot of my tractor related projects so this summer I used the tractor a bit less than normal.
2* So if I had used the tractor more I would've had a cold weather diesel mix in the tank rather than left over summer blend.
4*Car's and trucks don't usually sit like tractors so I suspect that maybe the reason you hear about this alot more with tractors .

2*I ran summer diesel in all 3 of these last winter .

It never got down to 14 degrees so all 3 tractors ran fine.
I still have summer fuel in them and no problem this winter either but then it's never been down to 14 degrees this year either.
Since we have few if any 14 degree days per year
I just use what ever fuel I have in this fueling station when ever i fill up a tractor. .


4*Probably so .
Makes sense to me.

 

[JordanFTW]

Glad you got her back up and running! I wanted to add that Optima batteries are complete JUNK and they have been for some time (since the company was sold years ago). DO NOT waste your money. I, along with many other pros recommend East Penn/Deka manufactured batteries. Odyssey's full under that category, and are manufactured by East Penn.

 

[Optima Bill]

Hi Matt,
I am late to the thread, and realize you have already replaced your battery, but did want to post something in case someone else was searching for an Optima option. While I don't have the dimension requirements for your application, this link shows our RedTop specs and this one our YellowTop specs. There are several that have at least 750cca. So I know they would work as long as you have the right size physically.
I think 7 years on your original battery is a good length of service and with only 350 hours, really good since it probably sits for long periods at the time.
I have to disagree with JordanFTW about the quality of our batteries. We don't use recycled lead in any of our batteries and I have had no trouble with the one that's been in my International tractor for years. It starts when everything else is dead, even if it has been sitting all winter. Thankfully, I am in Tennessee so don't have to worry about gelling here.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have about our products,
Thanks,
Bill Howell
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.