Winterizing diesel

ttener · Dec 11, 2018

What’s everyone use for fuel additives as the weather gets cold?

Also, I never put anything in but clean diesel. Am I missing something? Have never had any issues in 10 years with either my tractor or my kubota utv. Just wondering if maybe I’m headed for trouble one of these days...

RjCorazza · Dec 12, 2018

Central Maryland is a borderline climate for cold weather diesel issues. My understanding is that beginning Nov 1st diesel is treated either with x% #1 diesel, or an anti gelling agent is added.
I personally do not count on that though, and add Power Service White at the rate of 0.32 oz per gallon.
Quality, uncontaminated #2 diesel has a cloud point of 32 deg f, and a Cold Filter Plugging Point of 0 deg f. I have READ of problems at higher temperatures, but no first hand experience.

ttener · Dec 12, 2018

Thanks. I appreciate your response. I actually found volumes of info on this subject in another area of this forum. I think I found my answers. Thanks again!

ovrszd · Dec 12, 2018

It's a much debated subject here.

I don't trust anyone to treat my fuel except me. Filled my transfer tank yesterday. Facility had posted a sign saying fuel is blended. I still added my .32 ounce of Power Service white per gallon. Fuel problems suck!!!

ruffdog · Dec 12, 2018

I also add Power Service White at the rate of 0.32 oz per gallon for 9 months out of the year so I know the fuel is treated going into winter. I guess I'm just lucky as I have never had any fuel issues and I have never blended #1 either. If people do blend, where do people buy #1 if you only fill 5 gal worth? My Bobcat manual has a suggested guideline for blending. Above -9c (+15F) use only #2 fuel. Down to -29c (-20F) mix 50/50. Below those temps, use 100% #1 fuel. BUT...like I said, I've never had a issue yet.

One point: I always put the fuel treatment in the container before I fill it to ensure it is mixed in good.

Egon · Dec 12, 2018

Diesel fuel compilation changes with the seasons. These changes will vary with your location.

[video]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_diesel_fuel[/video]

ruffdog · Dec 12, 2018

Egon said:
Diesel fuel compilation changes with the seasons. These changes will vary with your location.

[video]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_diesel_fuel[/video]

Quote from above article:
Car makers selling Common Rail or Unit Injector diesel engines prohibit the dilution of diesel fuel with either gasoline or kerosene as it may destroy the injection device.

Read your manual first before any blending! What grandpa did with his old tractor may hurt a modern engine.

millsan1 · Dec 12, 2018

I use Diesel 911. My neighbor owns a heavy equipment company with millions of dollars of heavy iron that he relies on for his living. He recommended it, so I use it.

A Quart bottle is good for 250 gallons, so a quart will last me two years, cheap insurance and I have never had a problem.

I have a 200 gallon tank, so I just fill it up, put in the quart of 911 and call it a year (or two)

Katahdin · Dec 12, 2018

I learned one should drain their water separators before the freezing temps. I replaced the screen in mine this weekend and there was a 1/2 inch layer of ice.

Richard · Dec 12, 2018

If .32/oz per gallon is the correct ratio, and you don't quite get that much in, will you still have "some" protection or does it need to hit a critical number?

Alternatively, if you over-shoot and put too much in, are you gaining any more protection? Just wasting it? Cause anything damage?

Reason I'm asking:

Tractor has (I think) 45 gallon tank. Backhoe has (I think) 40 gallons.

Looked at my bottle and have about enough in there to use half of what's left in my bottle in tractor, other half in backhoe. This would be by eyeball and just pouring it in using the window on bottle as guide.

Tractor is essentially full of fuel, backhoe should be close to full.

Fine strategy or does one need to be more precise?