Diesel Fuel Freezing???

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by rvowner3

It may be a different problem, but sometimes I need to add the supplement to the tank, because the engine starts to buck. Sometimes it's after a fill up, or after the rig has sat a while between trips. Most of my driving is in Calif or Oregon during the summer. I was told the problem was because of moisture in the fuel. So I carry a couple bottles and put some in whenever I encounter the problem. I usually get it at WalMart. (The stuff stinks though and I wish I could find some paper throw away funnels that have a 90 degree goose neck, which I need to pour it into my tank, because I can continue to smell the stuff on the plastic funnel I use and which is carried in my storage bin.)

How often do you drain your fuel/water separator, obviously it should be more often. Keep your fuel tank topped off when not using your RV to reduce condensation that happens when the tank is partially filled. Only buy fuel from high-turnover stations, water in fuel is not unusual at corner stations.

[tombottcat]

flying j and loves sells winter diesel if your worried about it, havent had any problems here in the north running with reg diesel

[Roadwarrior7]

Cooperhawk posted:
"The other thing is it needs to get pretty cold for gelling to occur. Probably below 20 degrees F."

I just filled a flat container with 2.5 gallons of diesel. It has a ton of surface area so the fuel will pretty much be at ambient air temp. It got down in the teens over night and the fuel was fine. I think it needs to get closer to zero (and for an extended time) before it's a factor. This was Northern fuel so I'm sure it's treated.

[Ret.LEO]

From a old 20 year plus truck driver in my early days
Carry two extra fuel filters, extra power serve, if it's really cold add 50% more than stated otherwise use as directed. Learn how to change your filters, remove, fill with additive, put back on, pump up line and head for warmer climates. I have restarted frozen fuel lines more than I can remember..........very common running in 10below weather. BE SURE to have a EXCELLENT fuel filter wrench that fits! Had a cheap wrench one night at 3am roadside that broke, took off my belt, wrapped around it and pulled..........worked like a charm

The life of a Truck Driver!

[GTobey]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Companies the make fuel additives are in business for only one reason to make a profit.
Read this diesel fuel lubricity additive ISO study: https://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76...y-results.html
When cold weather arrives at your state, diesel fuel for cold weather is already being sold there.
I've been driving diesel engine-powered vehicles for over 25 years, I've never had a fuel-gelling issue, either from leaving warm weather to cold weather, or staying home all year and having summer blend fuel in my tractors during winter.
The single-most important thing to do is keep the fuel tank as full as possible when it's not running to avoid moisture in the fuel from condensation in a partial tank of fuel

Most any company except nonprofits are in business to make a profit otherwise they won't be there. That being said the link you provided is only a study about lubricity quality of ULSD, not about anti-gelling and about cloud point suppression properties of diesel additives. The fact of the matter is everybody can choose to use what they want and that's what we do. If we are afraid that we will gel up and freeze up we can put any additive in we want and we can make a recommendation as to which ones we us. But just because companies are in business to make a profit doesn't mean you shouldn't use their product if it does what you want it to do.

[jimcumminsw]

I do carry a bottle of Power Service Diesel Supplement 9.1.1. in case of gelled fuel. I have been carrying this bottle for the last 10 years. Never needed it. I do add as an additional measure use Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement & Cetane Boost to my tank at every fill-up in the winter.

[KDIVEY]

I had an 2008 Ram mega cab cummings and have been in -20 and lower and never added any additive just made sure I had at least a half a tank of gas at all times and plugged in (engine heater)over night when it could get colder and never had any issues. I just traded in 2 years ago and I live in Utah and came from Colorado and never had any freezing issues. I always plug in when it gets down below 20 F

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by KDIVEY

I had an 2008 Ram mega cab cummings and have been in -20 and lower and never added any additive just made sure I had at least a half a tank of gas at all times and plugged in (engine heater)over night when it could get colder and never had any issues. I just traded in 2 years ago and I live in Utah and came from Colorado and never had any freezing issues. I always plug in when it gets down below 20 F

The electric heaters in the pickups have only a short fuel line and many have heaters in the filter area as well. Motor homes tend to have very long fuel lines and not all have electric fuel heat so error on the safe side. You can't compare a pickup fuel system to a DP

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by GTobey

Most any company except nonprofits are in business to make a profit otherwise they won't be there. That being said the link you provided is only a study about lubricity quality of ULSD, not about anti-gelling and about cloud point suppression properties of diesel additives. The fact of the matter is everybody can choose to use what they want and that's what we do. If we are afraid that we will gel up and freeze up we can put any additive in we want and we can make a recommendation as to which ones we us. But just because companies are in business to make a profit doesn't mean you shouldn't use their product if it does what you want it to do.

You are right of course. I still had a mindset from this older thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/dies...es-307353.html

[Wundertaker]

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

I do carry a bottle of Power Service Diesel Supplement 9.1.1. in case of gelled fuel. I have been carrying this bottle for the last 10 years. Never needed it. I do add as an additional measure use Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement & Cetane Boost to my tank at every fill-up in the winter.

Jim...you may want to get a new bottle of 911...10 year old bottle could be stale by now.😶

[Stanley.13]

Just make sure you are filling with “winter” fuel and you will be fine!

[GTobey]

Refineries blend fuels to lower the cloud points and gel point temps for the areas the fuel is to be sold in. They have to run the fine line between losing too much btu content from adding too much ULSD K1 kerosene to the #2 diesel, and yet keeping people from gelling up on the side of the road in 35°F weather. That happened one spring when they switched back to summer fuels and temps got into the 20s overnight. Vehicles who didn't treat their fuels were stopped on the sides of the road for about 4 hours until it warmed up that day.

Don't be surprised that your fuel economy is reduced by 10% or more in winter since the fuel has less btu content, and the thicker viscosity of oils and greases in cooler weather, etc.

[Wundertaker]

Originally Posted by GTobey

Refineries blend fuels to lower the cloud points and gel point temps for the areas the fuel is to be sold in. They have to run the fine line between losing too much btu content from adding too much ULSD K1 kerosene to the #2 diesel, and yet keeping people from gelling up on the side of the road in 35°F weather. That happened one spring when they switched back to summer fuels and temps got into the 20s overnight. Vehicles who didn't treat their fuels were stopped on the sides of the road for about 4 hours until it warmed up that day.

Don't be surprised that your fuel economy is reduced by 10% or more in winter since the fuel has less btu content, and the thicker viscosity of oils and greases in cooler weather, etc.

Just what I was thinkin'...

[retiredusps6]

If you are worried about gelling up Add the conditioner or # 1 kero.Gasoline in emergency. The cost is cheap compared to a tow. Plus you will sit in a cold unit until help comes. If you gelled how many others have also.In a pinch you can drop filter and punch a hole from small hole to center of filter. Not good for injectors but you can get to a safe place.No one else said anything about wind chill. Stick your hand out window doing 55 MPH at 30 degrees temp now you know how your fuel line feel. Also if your rv costs xxxxxx amount you should be able to spring for conditioner