Gelled diesel question

SPMN · Feb 17, 2021

We are having single digit & lower temperatures here in Texas which we're not used to & I'm concerned about gelled diesel. If it gells in cans or a drum, or in the tractor fuel tank, will it go away when it warms up & still be useable?
Thanks, Kent

jacksun65 · Feb 17, 2021

Yes it will be fine, It will look like snot then get worse LOL. If you need the vehicle put some diesel treatment in it and mix it up by driving a little. If it is a can just mix some kerosene in it.

jon f mn · Feb 17, 2021

It would be very unlikely to gel with above zero temps. Has to be colder than that for gelling. You will find any moisture problems tho.

miangus · Feb 17, 2021

When diesel gels the heaver hydrocarbons form what looks like small snow flakes that float in the liquid fuel and form a Vaseline like grease on any screen or fuel filter. When the fuel gets hotter the flakes melt into the liquid fuel. That why its best to let a diesel warm up in cold weather even if it has a block heater as the return fuel is warmed by the motor and will warm the fuel in the tank.

fastfarmall · Feb 17, 2021

The one thing i have noticed with Diesel fuel, is if it's got Soybean oil in it, called maybe B-10, it will jell faster,the best thing before it jells is Howes or another brand of Anti-Gel. As it gets warmer it will be fine!

paul · Feb 17, 2021

Its fine when it warms up again.

Find about 20f is when issues can start to show up but not too bad. A clean filter and no water helps a lot too. About 10f is when you better have your ducks in a row.

Paul

caterpillar guy · Feb 19, 2021

I can see where this is a problem for the guys down south with this sudden cold that came in. Otherwise I don't understand why there is so much of an issue with diesel fuel. I have been running our loader with the fuel from the tank with no problems and no money wasting fuel dope. It has been below zero here a few mornings the last week or 10 days. Ran all day and not parked in a heated shop either. Highs in the teens or maybe low 20's a couple of days. Fuel is blended for the area it is sold in. That is why I say the sudden cold down south would be a possible problem if not dealt with by adding some dope to the fuel. As for what ,your choice. Since I have not used it I can't give any solution concoction. I would go see my local truck parts house or dealer for my area. They would be the ones that deal with that problem the most and would probably have what works the best for that area again the area is more important than the dope brand for fuel.

Tx Jim · Feb 19, 2021

Ditto diesel fuel supplied in Northern & Southern N American has different configuration.

Monday I utilized my pickup with spike bed to help my neighbor put out rd bales for his cows because his tractor died after his employee put out 2 bales. I put out rd bales again for him the next day. I asked him why he didn't get his tractor running. He stated he was intending to call his dealer so I asked my employee to go down there yesterday with some fuel conditioner & get tractor engine running.

Neighbor's tractor was utilized feeding his cows yesterday!

I can hardly wait until temp is above freezing this afternoon!

cowranch · Feb 19, 2021

(quoted from post at 03:47:07 02/19/21) I can see where this is a problem for the guys down south with this sudden cold that came in. Otherwise I don't understand why there is so much of an issue with diesel fuel. I have been running our loader with the fuel from the tank with no problems and no money wasting fuel dope. It has been below zero here a few mornings the last week or 10 days. Ran all day and not parked in a heated shop either. Highs in the teens or maybe low 20's a couple of days. Fuel is blended for the area it is sold in. That is why I say the sudden cold down south would be a possible problem if not dealt with by adding some dope to the fuel. As for what ,your choice. Since I have not used it I can't give any solution concoction. I would go see my local truck parts house or dealer for my area. They would be the ones that deal with that problem the most and would probably have what works the best for that area again the area is more important than the dope brand for fuel.

I had winter blend delivered last time, plus I always put in treatment. Had issues with Power Service white bottle years ago, so I've been using Howes. I had more than recommended in the tank. It was -30 the other night, tractor died shortly after starting. Looked at the filter, yep, goop. Added 911 to the tank and filter, that got me going.

So, both Power Service and Howes have failed on me. Local, 15 mile away village, station delivers. Used to get it from the Coop, had their blend fail too (it's why I switched).

showcrop · Feb 19, 2021

SPMN, read the other thread. Yes it will be OK in the can or tank once it warms. HOWEVER, if you draw too much into your filter it will not return to good fuel, it has been tried thousands of times but rarely works. If it runs and stops it is because the filter has plugged and it will need to be changed or rinsed with 911 multiple times.

SPMN · Feb 19, 2021

Well, we finally got water, electricity, in internet today & I was able to read all the replies, I want to thank y'all who did educate me about gelled diesel--I did get my tractor running & ran the pto generator for 4 days until they got the power back on. Thanks again, Kent

Gelled diesel question

SPMN

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jacksun65

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jon f mn

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miangus

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fastfarmall

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paul

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caterpillar guy

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Tx Jim

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cowranch

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showcrop

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SPMN

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