diesel in the winter

Nick167 · Oct 11, 2015

Its getting fall and I bought an 88 diesel that I want to run this winter it gets below 0 here this is the first diesel I've had that will be run in the winter do I need to put anything in the
fuel to keep it from gelling? If my fuel gels how do I remedy it and any other things I need to know? Thnks

Tx Jim · Oct 11, 2015

Are you planning on using Winter or Summer blend fuel?

rustred · Oct 11, 2015

you wont have to worry about jelling just below zero. summer fuel jells at about minus 40 in a storage tank.
once winter comes the companies switch diesel over to a winter blend which has less wax in it. but with today's diesels who knows whats in it.but for jelled diesel we used to thin it by adding kerosene. there is also diesel additives you can add to the fuel tank.years ago we were told to add up to 10 percent unleaded gas to the tank, but have never tryed that. if your not in temps of -40 or lower u dont need to worry.
another thing with diesel engines , they have a line returning to tank from injectors for cooling them and this fuel is warm so will eventually warm the tank fuel slowly. but its not applicable to all old tractors.

Tx Jim · Oct 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 13:39:33 10/11/15) you wont have to worry about jelling just below zero. summer fuel jells at about minus 40 in a storage tank.

Really minus 40 what???

RBoots · Oct 11, 2015

I wouldn't get too excited about gelling. I'd keep an eye out for condensation/water in your fuel tank, that WILL cause you a problem until like was said, the engine/return fuel warms up.

Ross

rustred · Oct 11, 2015

Yes really. better question that wikipedia. i can walk out to the storage tank any time at -20f and have no
problem running diesel out of the hose. even at -30 the diesel will run out with no problem. but the cold filter
plugging point is not what im talking about.

wijim · Oct 11, 2015

Should get blended fuel in it before it gets cold. Around here it gets blended 70% #2 30%#1. and then make sure you there isn't any water in the system. Jim

farmer boy · Oct 11, 2015

I can assure you that #2 fuel does not gel at -8.1C. It also gels before -40 F/C. I'd think summer fuel should be fine down to around -15C(5F) #1 is probably good to -30+- C(-22F). )0.1% anti gel additive lowers the cloud point by 15F

2underage · Oct 11, 2015

Good advice! The only problem you may have then is ice crystals floating in the fuel and plugging the fuel filter. Buy some diesel fuel conditioner that protects against icing and you will be good to go.

Bob N.Y. · Oct 11, 2015

I have been running furnace oil in my MF 65 along with the recommended amount of Power Service diesel additive for years with no problems.

MarkB_MI · Oct 11, 2015

Ask your local fuel supplier when they switch to winter-grade fuel, and buy your fuel after that date.

If your fuel gels, the tractor will run until the fuel filter plugs up. If it's going to be a cold night, your best best is to park it in a heated space.

cs.hess · Oct 11, 2015

Refil the tank after using it as the fuel is warm an as tank an fuel cools if tank is not full it will condense water on tank metal not covered with fuel

coonie minnie · Oct 11, 2015

I'm in SE WI. Blended fuel starts to get delivered when the temps are forecast to be around 20 degrees. Where will you be sourcing your fuel? If you are depending upon what you bought at the gas station in August, you will be in trouble. If you buy fuel for January in January, you will most likely be OK. Summer diesel used on a cold winter day usually results in a plugged fuel filter, a walk home, and good practice in priming things with cold fingers. Been there, done that. No fun.

where are you? How do you source fuel? If you answer those, we can help.

NoNewParts · Oct 11, 2015

one situation where snake oil additives do help.
my diesel gets the max mix of Power Service additives in winter.
why worry?

even my modern diesel which always starts at whatever temp is not happy when it gets running below zero.
some heat thrown at it or in it before starting helps its happiness....a lot.

VicS · Oct 11, 2015

We have a big and cheap station. They have a sign that says fuel not treated, use at your own risk. It jelled at -4 F last winter. I drove a route truck and hauled diesel and gas. I started putting No. 1 in the tanks of cattle and hog farmers about Nov 1st. Had it almost 100% about Jan 1st. Even no 1 needs additive at -40. prith (spelling) is what airplanes used. 5 gal of Kerosene would be good for your Oliver. Kerosene and no1 are the same except off road no1 is red.

Busflyer · Oct 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 02:18:23 10/12/15) We have a big and cheap station. They have a sign that says fuel not treated, use at your own risk. It jelled at -4 F last winter. I drove a route truck and hauled diesel and gas. I started putting No. 1 in the tanks of cattle and hog farmers about Nov 1st. Had it almost 100% about Jan 1st. Even no 1 needs additive at -40. prith (spelling) is what airplanes used. 5 gal of Kerosene would be good for your Oliver. Kerosene and no1 are the same except off road no1 is red.

Priest is what is mixed with jet fuel to prevent jelling. It's been a long time but it seems like a can of Prist treated 150 gal. of fuel.
Might be able to buy it online or at your local airport.

Bill(Wis) · Oct 11, 2015

I understood them to be talking degrees. In that Celsius and Fahrenheit are the only two scales commonly used by most mortals, minus 40 ends up in the same spot on both scales. Also called "COLD". (;>))

mjbrown · Oct 11, 2015

I live in NY where it can get a bit wintery. I've tried all the additives and had them all fail me if it gets cold enough when used in summer fuel. Paraffin solidifies and plugs the filter. Last fall I decided to add enough kerosene to the tank so it was about half and half. Last winter was very long and very cold and I had no problems. The other part of the equation is you will need a way to preheat the engine like with a block heater. I keep a charger on the battery too. If you use ether use only a teeny tiny amount.

DoubleR · Oct 11, 2015

I add the recommended amount of Power Service additive in the winter in my bulk fuel tank when it starts to get cold. I've seen minus 20 and never had any problems. I change the filters on my diesels in the fall also and drain and clean the filter bowls a couple of times a year.

buickanddeere · Oct 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 13:18:33 10/11/15) Its getting fall and I bought an 88 diesel that I want to run this winter it gets below 0 here this is the first diesel I've had that will be run in the winter do I need to put anything in the
fuel to keep it from gelling? If my fuel gels how do I remedy it and any other things I need to know? Thnks

Use winter diesel fuel and some IPA to absorb water condensation.

Bill(Wis) · Oct 11, 2015

Clean the tank and replace fuel filter now and contact fuel suppliers in your area to find out when they'll be getting their winter diesel. You don't say where you're at. When their winter diesel comes in (most likely #1) fill the tank with that. Install a tank heater. Do you know what that is? Make sure you have super good battery power and cables and connections are super clean and tight. Buy a starter charger. Heavy Duty. Hours before attempting a start, plug in tank heater. Hook up charger to battery and charge. Medium. Just to get the battery's attention. Then when ready to start, put charger in start mode. In my case, tractor starts instantly. Like it's summer. Did I mention? Occasionally this happens when it's 20-30 below zero. But, I can usually acquire "Arctic Diesel" for my winter needs. I remember using that at Fort Drum, NY to start V-12 diesel tank engines. They just used Arctic Diesel year round. That way they always had it in the tanks. Of course, they ordered fuel by the trainload where you're going to be at the mercy of whatever the dealer has at the moment. Good idea to have the tractor shedded, too.

David G · Oct 11, 2015

I ALWAYS fill up with Arctic Diesel if in Minnesota winters.

flying belgian · Oct 11, 2015

You can do all the things recommended here or you can keep it simple and just turn the knipko heater on it a half hour before you use it. Battery zings it over like summer, no problem with straight #2 fuel, no block heater, hyd. oil flows nice in the loader cylinders, engine oil nice and warm on start-up, transmission shifts nice and easy right away, steering wheel is warm for a while so you don't freeze your fingers, floor plate keeps your feet warm for a while.

Mark - IN. · Oct 11, 2015

I run Power Source in my diesels all year around, period. Doesn't hurt a thing. I hear people call it and others like Howes, snake oil, and they can, but I've never had gel or wax ups using them, have when not using them. Ever limp off the road because are gelled or waxed up, you won't ever want to do it again, and I've had it happen more than once. Last time, used P/S 911 and it got me going. Once used something in a small bottle got at a BP on the toll road, worked good too. Now, trucks and farm equipment all year around, not a trouble and that's good enough for me.

Good luck.

Mark

Bill(Wis) · Oct 11, 2015

IPA. India Pale Ale?

dr sportster · Oct 12, 2015

Isopropal pale ale

guido · Oct 12, 2015

Hello Nick
Diesel fuel is blended for the area it is sold in. A coolant/ block heater is all you should need. Just make sure you electrical system is ready for the cold! A starting aid/Heather injector is also something you may need if you are going to experience below zero weather. Having the engine in good working order would not hurt either,

Guido.

Bill(Wis) · Oct 12, 2015

Ahhh. And would that be drinkable? And, if so, what would I feel like the next morning? Or, would there even be a next morning?

buickanddeere · Oct 13, 2015

Those who consume IPA or Methyl alcohol the next day wake up blind or dead .

Blackhole49 · Oct 13, 2015

Around here(SE MI) they switch to winter blend fuel around the end of Nov. I keep a couple of cans of winter blend from the orevious winter and start running this time of year. Between that and a block heater, never had a problem.

diesel in the winter

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads