Winter blend Diesel

[crabjoe]

Questions regarding winter blend:

1) Is this just a mix with a higher ratio of #1 rather than #2?
2) I can get straight #1 at a local truck stop. Is there any harm in running this in my little Kubota?

Winterblend is usually just #1(Kerosene) mixed with the normal #2 diesel. There's no set ratio, and you can guess that the colder it gets the more #1 that gets mixed in. Some stations will use an anti gelling additive instead of mixing in #1.

As for running straight #1, you can do it, but I don't suggest it. It'll probably run like crap being that it has less energy and you might get detonation since it will combust at lower compressions.

If you're worried about gelling, just get some anti gelling additive. I like Howes, but Powerservice can be found almost anywhere.

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

Winterblend is usually just #1(Kerosene) mixed with the normal #2 diesel. There's no set ratio, and you can guess that the colder it gets the more #1 that gets mixed in. Some stations will use an anti gelling additive instead of mixing in #1.

As for running straight #1, you can do it, but I don't suggest it. It'll probably run like crap being that it has less energy and you might get detonation since it will combust at lower compressions.

If you're worried about gelling, just get some anti gelling additive. I like Howes, but Powerservice can be found almost anywhere.

Where do you find Howes?

 

[cp1969]

As for running straight #1, you can do it, but I don't suggest it. It'll probably run like crap being that it has less energy and you might get detonation since it will combust at lower compressions.

You can run straight #1. You will notice a slight reduction in power. It will not detonate; it has the same cetane rating as #2.

When we hauled fuel, Kansas City ATA buses ran straight #1 in the summer(!) for emissions reasons. Whiteman Air Force base used to run #1 in all their diesel vehicles, year round.

 

[crabjoe]

Where do you find Howes?

You can find it at most truck stops.

 

[MikePA]

Some stations will use an anti gelling additive instead of mixing in #1.

Since when do stations add anything? I thought all this was done at the distributor?

 

[copperdog]

I prefer to use as much straight number 2 fuel as possible, because the BTU content of the fuel is higher, more power.
FPPF is my additive of choice, and I also now am using the cetane improver, in both my 7.3 and my 6.0 power stroke.
It seems to make a difference when pulling the trailer.
Another thing to look for is the lubricity additive. The new fuel has less lubricity, it won't show for a couple of years, your machine will gradually loose power and when you take your injection pump to the shop, the guy will say its completly worn out. The fuel delivery rate will be way down, something like a worn out hydraulic pump, won't lift what it did before.
One thing i have found is don't wait until the fuel is jelled to add the additive, put it in the fuel when it is warm, it seems to work better. With the lubricity issue, use it all the time, it also keeps the water out of the fuel filter and makes less often filter changes.
It is like the old Fram advertisement, pay me now or pay me later, you can buy fuel additive with lubricity now or pay the fuel injection pump man later.

 

[LBrown59]

I live in southeastern Wi.Does any one know when stations start selling winter blend Diesel fuel? My JD 2520 needs fuel and i would like to fill up with the winter blend since i wont be using it that much till the snow fly's.Thanks

just put 3 oz of Power Service in each 5 gallon of deisel now or later or when ever you fill up .

 

[fish6942]

Questions regarding winter blend:

1) Is this just a mix with a higher ratio of #1 rather than #2?
2) I can get straight #1 at a local truck stop. Is there any harm in running this in my little Kubota?

(Yes, I'm responding to my own post)

I actually read my manual last night and Kubota recommends #2 for temps above 14F and #1 for temps below 14F

 

[Z-Michigan]

As an aside, when I was in the western UP of Michigan two months ago, I was amused to see that many stations sell both #1 and #2 diesel year round. I'm guessing the #1 was for logging or other off-highway equipment that might not drain a tank before winter, or that was tuned to run better on #1.

 

[john_bud]

John bud,

Did you add the powerservice to your fuel prior to the cold, or afterwards to try to thin the fuel?

I added PS white before gelling up. In fact, I added a couple oz extra.

I don't know if the PS and USLD were playing nice last winter. Heard that from somewhere that the USLD wasn't reacting as expected and caused lots of issues.



The Howes did work to clear out the wax. Not on the truck, I changed out both expensive filters and left it for 48 hours in a 65F heated garage. But on my tractor with a clear fuel bowl, I could see the snotty goo. Added a 5x shot of Howes and started the tractor. In 5 min the filter was starting to clear and in 10 min there was no sign of any goo and it was running perfect.

I bought 2 large jugs of "Howe's Diesel treat" this fall, setting in a stock in case there is a run on them at the store.