Owners Manual Say No Fuel Additives, Deal Says It's OK.

[Hdoilcan]

In my Kioti CK 3510 owners manual it says " To Protect The Catalyst Filter, Keep The Followings:" Do not use any engine oil additive or fuel additive.
I asked my dealer about this and he said it was fine to use Howes Lubricator Diesel Treatment as a anti-gel for the diesel.
I would like to what others thoughts are on this..... If the manual says not to use a fuel additive then what would I do to keep the diesel from gelling in the cold weather?

 

[dadster4]

19 degrees...no gelling here...buy good fuel and additives aren't necessary

 

[oosik]

I've had fuel jelling - once. But then again, it was -20F. I use Power Service in my fuel. But watch out - my tractor is a 2009 and NOT final Tier 4. If you don't see temps below zero - you probably will never need fuel additives. And you would hate to mess up anything by using additives. If your tractor is final Tier 4 I would go with what the owners manual says. Remember, if you use additives and it screws something up - Kioti may not honor their warrantee. And what the dealer is telling you may be so much smoke & mirrors.

 

[K Arno]

My take on the problem is that Motor fuel is a seasonal brew. Does your machine have the same fuel in it for extended periods of time? Months at a time like I filled it this summer and now want to push snow... You may want to use an additive.

The fuel available at the local pumps seems to have everything I (and the tractor) need and none of what it doesn't. Quite convenient actually.

 

[Hdoilcan]

Well this yr has been warmer here in the Finger Lakes region of NY so I guess I wouldn't need it but I am still running off a tank full of diesel from early fall.

 

[Coyote machine]

Follow the book, not the dealer - he can't modify written requirements of the manufacturer, and won't fix any problems if they occur because of fuel non-compliance.
That being said, almost all areas that experience temps below freezing, (32*) not zero*, winterize their fuel already, so whatever you are buying in the winter months is already treated to prevent 'jelling'. If you're burning non winterized fuel from your area it could jell. I make a point of only running winterized fuel, therefore no issues. BUT I don't have final Tier 4.

 

[George2615]

Check your manual about winter fuel. It should mention you can use a mixture of #2 diesel and #1 kerosene. Using a mixed fuel should also lower the gel point.

 

[varmint]

Jeez, what a quandary! I was told by our heating oil guy that most fuel distributors in Maryland don't have winter blend diesel- they don't consider it necessary... so additive may almost be a requirement. 1 degree is forecast here for the weekend. Cold enough to gel, I think.

 

[oldpilgrim]

The additives are used in such a small ratio, like one oz per 2.5 gallons, (1 in 320) that it would seem VERY unlikely that it could cause a problem. I certainly wouldn't worry about it.

 

[newbury]

19 degrees...no gelling here...buy good fuel and additives aren't necessary

"good fuel" would have additives. Additives may be needed for gelling, water removal, lubrication, biocide.

What's the fuel pump specs? If it's like the Bosch found on many trucks AND most VW's "good fuel" would have more lubrication.

The additives are used in such a small ratio, like one oz per 2.5 gallons, (1 in 320) that it would seem VERY unlikely that it could cause a problem. I certainly wouldn't worry about it.

But as soon as the mfg. determines you used an additive they COULD deny warranty claims.

VW has a BIG problem with the high pressure fuel pump on the common-rail engines used since 2009. Failure is almost common and requires about $10K of fixing. In the beginning additives were banned and could result in no fix under warranty. Now after a replacement they give you a bottle of additive and recommend you use it. Our son just had the HPFP consume itself on his Passat, he had never used an additive. They fixed it under warranty and gave him a bottle.

If your ONLY worry is temperature (not lubrication, water, or bio) just mix in some #1 diesel (called kerosene).

Just don't wait until it's 40 below and try to dilute an almost full tank. Been there, done that.