Is this what gelling looks like?

[spruce Deere]

Diesel wax plugged filter, or 'jelled' fuel filter.

I do what oldpath does, PS white bottle, every year all year.

Zero issues all four seasons, many years running.

I keep spare fuel filters on hand for everything also...contingency plan

 

[paulfun9]

That's it.

Seems the fuel seperates and the parafin chrystals clog the filter. Maybe, it's because the "space" gets bigger inside the filter as oposed to inside a small fuel line.

Any issues I had were ALWAYS at the filter it seems. There are heated filters which would be a great option in cold climates.

I was watching and saw that a Kioti is now installing heated fuel filters on many of thier tractors as a standard option.

 

[dodge man]

You are already using an additive so is Power Service going to do better? I doubt it. I have had gelling with an additive but it was really cold. Someone already mentioned it but add kerosene at maybe 10% to 20% when it starts getting near zero. The fuel tank? I know you said it doesn’t look like it but to me it looks like some gelled fuel stuck to the tank.

 

[Thunder chicken]

I’m another PS adder.... all year. We get winter blend fuel up here. It also gets cold, below 0f for weeks on end. -30, -40 for cold snaps. I try not to run equipment at the real cold temps but it’s still never an issue. (Neither with the VW diesel to get to work).
I don’t follow the measuring. I add a ‘glug, glug, glug’ at every fill up.
I’ll also add a splash of Methyl Hydrate every so often if I suspect water. (Always in WW fluid to help it melt the frost off the windshield)

 

[Deepdrop]

Again, thank you all.
I'm going to see if there is someone at the truck stop I can speak with to learn more about this. You might be right that the off-road dyed fuel is not winter treated, although I sure don't know why not. But I'll see if I can find out what's up.
I appreciate the loyalty to Power Service but I also don't think it was an issue of using the wrong additive. However, if I get the fuel situation straightened out and it turns out that I WAS using winterized fuel, and it still gelled with the Optilube, then you can bet that I'll switch to Power Service.
Meantime, I'm ordering extra filters and buying some kerosene. I only hold about 6.6 gallons, so any suggestions on how much kerosene to add? Also, I have read that since there are no lubricants in kerosene, it's a good idea to add Marvel Mystery Oil to the kerosene. Is this really a good idea?
I've learned a lot here. Turns out that owning a tractor is nothing like owning a car! And I thought I had prepared myself for the diesel engine.
I'll let you all know when I found out more about the black spots on the inside of the tank. Maybe it is gelling. But it sure looks like pitting.

 

[LouNY]

Kerosene has less lubricity then #2 fuel oil but it does have enough to be run as fuel straight and is often in extreme cold.
Kerosene is #1 fuel oil.
Your truck stop may have "winterized" your offroad fuel using additives it is the most common way.
The trucks that use offroad fuel are using it in there auxiliary power supplies and there refrigeration units.
To clean the paraffin out of your system I would go at least 60-70% kerosene.
A little Marvel or 2 stroke oil is not going to hurt if it makes you more comfortable.

 

[dodge man]

I’m not a huge fan of the Mystery Oil. My fuel tank is about the size of yours. I’d say add roughly a gallon of kerosene to start. Good luck getting info on your fuel, most places don’t know what they have. Your additive should be adding back in some of the lubrication property that the kerosene doesn’t have.

 

[Deepdrop]

Thanks. If I do learn anything about the fuel from the truckstop, I'll post here.
I'm assuming I add the gallon of kerosene and top off with fresh winter diesel fuel to fill the tank, and then run the engine and see how things go. I realize I may need to change the filter a few times.
I'm fine skipping the mystery oil, it was just something I'd read and wanted to get an opinion.

 

[Reb954]

About a month ago the backhoe we use at work to clear snow jelled up. I pulled the fuel filter, it didn't look as bad as the op's but it was definitely jelled. I dumped it out, filled it half way with Power Service 9-1-1, then topped the filter off with diesel. I then treated the tank with Howse which I prefer over Power Service. I then let it sit for an hour or two to let the 9-1-1 do its job. After a few cranks it started right up and has run well every since but I make sure the fuel is treated whenever more is added.

 

[jonsstihl]

I wouldn't worry much about the stuff on the tank walls. check it again once you've run another tank through it and when it has warmed up. I think it is just a little gelled fuel stuck to the tank but the scope does make it come out weird with the colours.