What diesel to use in a really cold climate.

[Egon]

Don't count it, if you have a really unusually cold spell. My wife used winterized diesel from the local service station and it gelled. Of course if you don't mind the hassle of gelled fuel, go for it!

Note: I said really cold climate. The service stations switch over for the season.:thumbsup:

 

[buickanddeere]

Fuel filter on my tractor has an optional port for a 12V electric heater.

 

[number two]

I've often wondered what fuel/additive combo is used in Alaska from Fairbanks north-Ice Road Truckers comes to mind.I would take a guess straight #1 diesel with a lubricity additive and fuel heaters as well.
Maybe one of our Alaska members could comment here.

 

[crazyal]

crazyal, I guess you need to read my post more closely. :thumbsup:

Actually I was agreeing with you.

 

[crazyal]

I was using power service until I read the lubrication fuel thread which proved that it doesn't have any lubricating properties. I don't remember which I switched to, but will look and get back to you....

I've only seen one test and it was flawed. But even that test said Power Service increased the lubricity of the fuel. The problem with the test is they used untreated fuel (as a worse case). Since you can't buy that at the pump it was of limited value. Secondly they didn't follow industry standards for testing. All they did is test each additive once, statistically speaking that's not how a test should be done. I think that PS is not the best option on the market but it's easy and cheap to get.

I think Opti-lube would be a better option for most but the XPD only goes down to -20. That means I would need to use their winter blend which came in a little better in that test than PS but no where near as good as the XPD.

 

[PILOON]

IMHO an anti gelling additive is a must. (I have walked home a couple of times due to gelling)
Gelling is not a water issue but one where the paraffin (wax) in the fuel gells and stops fuel flow.
Water on the other hand will freeze and ice chunks won't make their way to the filter.
Since I generally pour by hand via a filter funnel I can attest to the ice chunk scenario.

 

[MHarryE]

Here in Minnesota the diesel suppliers start adding an anti-gel additive into their diesel starting October 15. That is when the refinery starts supplying it so it takes some time to fill the pipeline. That is what the refineries web site says and was confirmed by direct contact. However they will also supply no. 1 or a no. 1 & no. 2 blend on request. The largest refinery in MN, Flint Hills Resources, says their fuel is good to -10F which covers most of the winter. We use only 2 tractors in the winter - one sits in a heated garage and gets the fuel with anti-gel additive but the other one sits in an unheated machine shed and gets no. 1.

 

[PhysAssist]

I've only seen one test and it was flawed. But even that test said Power Service increased the lubricity of the fuel. The problem with the test is they used untreated fuel (as a worse case). Since you can't buy that at the pump it was of limited value. Secondly they didn't follow industry standards for testing. All they did is test each additive once, statistically speaking that's not how a test should be done. I think that PS is not the best option on the market but it's easy and cheap to get.

I think Opti-lube would be a better option for most but the XPD only goes down to -20. That means I would need to use their winter blend which came in a little better in that test than PS but no where near as good as the XPD.

I checked, and we are using Optilube XPD, which is good for our clime.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I am sure by now many people out there are suffering because they have an inadequate winter fuel solution.

 

[CobyRupert]

In my case I can get kerosene but haven't found a place to get No. 1. Seems like a lot of people cut the No. 2 with that, or as one person here says, run it straight.
Does anybody know the lubrication of kerosene compares to No. 1?
Would you run straight No. 1 without a lubrication additive?
Would you run a 50/50 kerosene/No. 2 mix without a lubricant additive?