Winterizing diesel

[ttener]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

 

[LouNY]

Per the bottle I just went and got;
Power Service
Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost

the white bottle
also with Slick Diesel lubricator.

At temperatures of 0F and above 32 oz. will treat 100 gallons of #2
below 0F or with biodiesel blends 32 oz. to 50 gallons.
Thats per the manufacture I still blend in some #1 and treat to the above zero rate when it goes below or gets close I go with the heavy rate even in blended fuel.

Added;
Richard you should be fine with half a bottle in each unless it gets below zero in Knoxville.

 

[ovrszd]

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)

The intent of 911 is to "ungel" fuel. It is very potent. If you haven't done so you might want to "google" it. I can't speak to it's continued long term use.

If you are diligent about treatment the White Bottle will protect you.

 

[ovrszd]

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?

I use the gauge on the side of the jug. I glug, glug, glug. Rough guess. Always error on the high side. It's not rocket science.

 

[PILOON]

You guys all have it wrong.
The simple solution is to pack up your tractor and move south.
That way you will save on all those fuel additives and as a side benefit your better half will appreciate you.

 

[chevy791979]

I use kerosene and 2stroke oil. Hasn't failed me yet in -20*f

 

[chevy791979]

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)

911 actually evaporates with in 24 hours. Does it help? Sure. But it's a product to solve an already gelled fuel system. Not an additive.

 

[ovrszd]

911 actually evaporates with in 24 hours. Does it help? Sure. But it's a product to solve an already gelled fuel system. Not an additive.

Yep..

 

[ovrszd]

You guys all have it wrong.
The simple solution is to pack up your tractor and move south.
That way you will save on all those fuel additives and as a side benefit your better half will appreciate you.

I don't know, those Sunbelt people are a bit different.

 

[msb1766]

I use Power Service:

Gray Bottle-Summer
White Bottle-Winter
Red Bottle-Just in case

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Power Service, white bottle. Mix it per the instructions on the back. Zero problems down to -40F.