How Cold?

[2003bigsilverado]

I just read about ULSD and found out some interesting things about how crappy the fuel really is and I'm just wondering at what temperatures do you all start adding additives so you don't get the gelling problem. I live in Florida and it hit 28 degrees the other night and you can't find but 1 or 2 diesel additives around here. So and help would be great.

 

[BudTX]

You really don't have to worry one bit running straight #2 down to around 20 degrees F or so. Amsoil makes great cold weather and general performance additives; drop Wrecker a pm and he can help you out.

Bud

 

[Unit453]

We dont need to worry about it here at all. Not one bit. Additives are still good for lubricity but the day our fuel gels here in Florida is the day I move to Cuba. Not gonna happen. Normal ULSD is supposed to be good until around -10 but in the north, they blend the fuel with kerosene, which is also known as "winter blend." Its usually a 75% diesel 25% kerosene and additives mixed in there as well. The further north you go, the more they cut it with kerosene. Where I used to live in Watertown NY, I would typically get fuel from the same station, which was a large truck stop and the last truck stop before the Canadian border a few minutes up the road. The owner of the station bought Canadian fuel, which was supposedly good for -40. They referred to it as a -40 blend.

I've been running two stroke as additive here but we really dont need to worry about gelling.

Amsoil does have some pretty good stuff for additives. Might want to give that a try to help with lubricity and to boost the cetane of the fuel...

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Or you can run a couple of gallons of Biodiesel for a lubricity additive. Everyone says that is the best.

 

[btfarm]

I use Bio in warm weather (B11) because of the good lubricity but I won't run the risk of gelling in winter with it. I always use Power Service (white bottle) anytime it's below +20* and every other tank up to 50*. Above that PS (silver bottle). If you're only seeing a short dip into the 20s you don't need to worry.

 

[Wrecker]

2003bigsilverado, might you need to worry about gelling there? Never say never, Nick, but I doubt it. For you, I would recommend Amsoil Diesel Fuel Concentrate (click here). Check out the rust test pic at the bottom of the link.

Amsoil has 5 diesel fuel products:

1. Diesel Concentrate Performance Fuel Additive

2. Cold Flow Improver

3. Diesel Concentrate Plus Cold Flow Improver

4. Diesel Recovery Emergency Fuel Treatment (for when you've already gelled)

5. Cetane Boost Diesel Fuel Additive

But to answer your question about "gelling", you can possibly reach the cloud point at 40F, not at all common, but theoretically possible, especially if the fuel you bought missed it's dose of additives. Info from Amsoil below:


Cold Weather and Diesel Fuel
As the temperature drops, the wax naturally found in diesel fuel begins to form crystals. The point at which wax crystals form is known as the cloud point. These wax crystals eventually clog the fuel filter and starve the engine of fuel or prevent it from starting. While low-quality fuels may form wax crystals in temperatures as warm as 40°F (4°C), most fuels have a cloud point near 32°F (0°C).

#1 Diesel Fuel
One traditional solution to cold-weather problems in diesel engines is the use of #1 diesel fuel, which is diesel fuel diluted with kerosene. While #1 diesel fuel has an advantage in low temperature operability, there are also several disadvantages. The energy content of #1 diesel fuel is about 95 percent of #2 diesel fuel, resulting in reduced fuel economy and less horsepower. In addition, the kerosene used in #1 diesel fuel provides less lubrication for the fuel pump and fuel distributor, increasing the likelihood for wear on these critical components.

Cold Weather Performance Parameters
There are several areas of diesel fuel improvement touted by various cold flow additive manufacturers, including pour point, cloud point and cold filter plugging point (CFPP). Many claims can be misleading, so it is important to understand this terminology in order to determine which products truly provide superior performance.

It is important to distinguish between CFPP and pour point. Many competitive products make great claims regarding pour point, leading consumers to believe their products are superior when they actually have an inferior CFPP. Once fuel surpasses its cloud point, the wax crystals begin to clog the fuel filter. The CFPP temperature is a more important characteristic than pour point because the engine will not run if fuel cannot pass through the fuel filter.

AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver
AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver provides superior fuel flow to help prevent filter plugging in cold temperatures. It is formulated for a broad range of diesel fuels, including #1 diesel fuel, #2 diesel fuel, biodiesel and hard-to-treat ULSD fuels. AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver minimizes the need for blending standard #2 diesel fuel with lower quality #1 diesel fuel, helping maintain fuel economy and keep engines functioning normally. It is also excellent for use with home heating oil and kerosene heat systems.

AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver uses a jet-fuel-type deicer that disperses water to control ice formation throughout the fuel system. It inhibits wax crystal formation and can improve diesel pour point by as much as 58°F (32°C), allowing fuel to flow to the engine more easily and improving diesel engine reliability in cold temperatures. In addition, AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver lowers the CFPP by as much as 34°F (18°C) in ULSD.

Concentrated ACF vs. ACF Blended with Fuel
The new formulation of AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver will show no signs of solidifying in its concentrated state in the bottle until the temperature reaches -22°F (-30°C), a great improvement over the previous formulation, which solidified in the bottle at 0°F (-18°C). Cold Flow Improver will only freeze in its concentrated state, and AMSOIL recommends storing it at temperatures above 0°F (-18°C). If ACF is allowed to freeze in the bottle it can be thawed and used. When mixed with diesel fuel, ACF effectively improves diesel fuel cold temperature properties. It is recommended, however, that fuel be treated at temperatures above 32° F (0°C). ACF will not dissolve wax crystals which have already formed in the fuel.

Application Information
AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver is specifically formulated for improving fuel flow, helping maintain fuel integrity and preventing the clogging of filters and injectors. It is excellent for use with diesel fuels, heating oils and kerosene. Two oz. of AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver treats five gallons of fuel, or one 16 oz. bottle for 40 gallons. The clear bottles feature an easy-to-read graduation label for accurate dispensing, helping ensure proper treat ratios.