Diesel fuel jelling

Last weekend I used my FILs ford 1710 to back blade his driveway of snow. It started and ran fine but when I put it back in the barn I checked the fuel level with a stick and when I pulled it out the fuel ran off the stick like maple syrup about ready to finish off. Being so thick concerned me even though it ran well, so I asked 2 friends that have diesels what I should do and got 2 different answers. One said not to use 911 unless you use it up quickly he also said to mix 50/50 with Kerosene then use diesel additive. The other said no kerosene and use the 911 and it is ok not to use it up soon. BTW the temps have been near zero to 15 below lately. I am guessing that the little the tractor gets used a tank of fuel may last a month or 2. What do you guys suggest. I have a bottle of power service diesel supplement winterizing antijel that I was going to use.

it was standard procedure years ago to thin with kerosene or coal oil. summer diesel has more wax in it and that's what jells it. at -40 summer fuel wont even run out of the storage tank.

If its running fine, leave it alone. If it is jelling then you should drain the number 2 and replace it with winter diesel out of the pump. This would be better than thinning and getting it too thin. You don't want it too thin or it will not lubricate the pump. And a 2400 dollar pump is not worth it.

In MN where it gets really cold (-30F) a lot of people use straight #1. If it has an easy way to drain it that's what I do and then put in some #1. Otherwise get it in where it's warm and put the treatment in it and run it awhile to get it in the pump and injectors.

Add gasoline to the diesel fuel. Volkswagon Diesels use 30% gas/70% diesel in very cold weather. It is recommended by the manufacturer,you can add a quart of oil or ATF to the gas before dumping it in the tank.

Howes fuel antigel is sold by the case at truckstops across the country. I use it and it works. It sells 10 to 1 of anything else.

#2 diesel starts to jell a +17 degrees. Time to put in a additive or blend it with #1 diesel at a 50/50 ratio.

Powervservice 911 is used if you are already gelled up . If its still running, get the power sevice fuel supplement and cetane boost, add it to the tank according to thebratio on the bootle and run the tractor around a while to get it all mixed in. It will keep the fuel from gelling up. If you buybfuel from a gas station, go to one that sells a lot of diesel to trucks.

I can tell you what I do and you can take it for what it is worth. I have a Ford 1520 (couple horses less, couple years newer), also a diesel. I have had issues with gelling if the weather gets really cold. I can always get it started and it will always smooth out after a while. Fuel tank is pretty close to engine so their is a warmth factor. Just put in some fresh diesel rated for winter use. Top off the tank with it, drive it around to mix it. If the tank is fairly full now, then drain some off and top it off with new. Those are rugged little tractors. I bought mine new in 1989. That has been my procedure then for 26 years. No problems.

Lots of things work.

Either blend in some #1 diesel.

And or use some anti gel. I've always used Power Service, the white bottle, not the red bottle. See many cases of that sell in the farm stores here, and see a couple bottles of Howse on the shelf. Either works I'm sure.

These things need to be blended together and mixed before it gels up, so no just dump it in and then hope it starts next time. You shoulda used it back as we got below freezing temps, start early.

The red bottle 911 can help thaw out a gelled up system, but that's asking a lot to clear it up after the filter is already plugged.

Kerosene is sorta like #1 diesel, tho it may not have any of the lubrication additives actual diesel has and might be a little hard on the engine if you add a lot. On an older engine should work fine if you don't get carried away.

Many of these additives can loosen up gunk in the tank, if you guys aren't faithful on your maintenance have a fuel filter on hand, as you will clear out the gel issue, and fill the filter with old gunk.....

My 1720 has a tiny fuel filter on it and is the most troublesome one I have for gelling up, or filling up with gunk, need to change that filter on a regular schedule.

Paul

Power Services makes red 911 and normal white treatment, I would add a cup of the normal to the tank, fill it up with winter diesel and drive it around good on a day above 20 degrees. I think those engines recirculate quite a bit back into the tank, so it will get mixed.

Speaking of the power service products as strange as it might sound the 911 additive will not prevent gelling but will turn the gelled fuel back to liquid. It can be used together with the white bottle but I'd only use 911 if the fuel is gelled to the point that the system is clogged or not operating. The 911 is compatible with all diesels and does have a lubricant additive.

I ran it all the time until I figured out the difference, never hurt anything.

Thanks for the quick replies sounds like fresh winter blend, the additive and drive it around. Like I said it hasn't been a problem yet I just was concerned with the thickness. Thanks again.

We have mixed kerosene with diesel and had no issues. Also use the good diesel additives. In the winter we are feeding cattle. The kerosene doesn't hurt them as long as we don't pull the tractors hard. Has worked for us for years. We put 10 to 15 gallons kerosene to 40 gallons of diesel.

Cheap 2 stroke oil is good and cheap insurance if you cut the fuel with number 1 or kerosene.

Run summer diesel in the summer and winter diesel in the winter. There are some people however that welcome the challenge to use #2 summer diesel all year around.

Add some gas.