#1 diesel nearly impossible to find! Your favorite additive?

The simplest method of testing for your use, is to mix small test batchs, ie; test vials, pint jars with tight lids, etc;, then mix the ratio wanted/stated and throw the test vial in the freezer over night.

You will quickly see the results. If the fluid is liquid at freezer temps then you have accomplished your goal! You will also see what seperates and what doesn't. I've expelled alot of myths using this method. Alot of products don't do what they claim on the label.

Another method is letting the test vial set outside over night. Do not set test vials in snow/ice as snow/ice is a insulator lower than 32ºf. You can quickly lower a substance temps, maximum 32ºf, by putting the test in a crushed ice/water bath.

Try several mixes (label them) at the same time as then you can see what strengths works for your area.

Alot of the additives are very dangerous to humans and pets, so use extreame caution while handling them, as in using chemical rated gloves.

T_Bone

This subject come up every fall, and the additive folks must love a percentage of the population. Gasoline or kero are fine as long as the vehicle is on the move everyday, otherwise it will separate. That is precisely how they distill the various products, separation in the tower.

When it comes down to additives off the shelf, only one fluid in that product prevents gelling, methyl hydrate, and methyl hydrate evaporates in any fuel tank within two weeks. I've run trucks and forestry equipment and we regularly dealt with -10F to -35F. A cup of methyl hydrate to every 50 gallon fillup will stop gelling and it will stay mixed. If the diesel is parked more than two weeks you may as well add another cup and add it 10 min before start up. The methyl hydrate wil not have evaporated from the pump, lines and filter of your engine. Problem always occurs once the diesel sucks in fresh fuel from the tank. Why buy expensive conditioners, and why buy the methyl hydrate from auto parts supply houses. Drug stores generally sell it by the gallon at about 25% of the price of auto parts stores. Some druggists tend to get a bit hairy if they see non medical folks buying too much methyl hydrate. I bought it from an old druggist friend for years, after his son took over the family business, he stopped me one day wondering what a farmer was doing with 2 gallons of methyl hydrate. Dad soon straightened that young lad out.

To give you some idea how quick methyl hydrate works. I've seen Farmall gassers with solid ice in the sediment bowl. Half cup and ten minutes later the ice is liquid. I carry a bottle of it in every vehicle. It is also the additive that stops windshield washer from freezing, and it evaporates in there big time. If I notice my washers freezing, not clearing slush well, etc. in goes a 1/4 cup of methyl hydrate. If your late and in a hurry, car or pickup frosted up, spill a 1/2 cup over the windows, it's same product used to deice planes. Lock frozen, stick your key in the bottle of MH. I used to carry a hypodermic shringe, for putting MH in truck air brake lines, until American Customs agents took exception to the shringe. I've only covered a few of the uses I've found for methyl hydrate. Now you tell me what other product you can tuck behind your seat that will have so many uses.

I'm not thinking that mixing gasoline with diesel's to thin it is a good idea, from experience. I use either Howes or Power Service year around in my trucks and tractors.

Rod

I, too have had pretty good luck with Power Service, but there DOES come a point where #1 is a NECESSITY up here.