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Winter fuel additives?

Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by Freightlinerbob, Dec 7, 2013.

  1. Dec 7, 2013 #1
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    West Coast B.C.
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    For a couple of decades, my philosophy regarding fuel additives had be to not use them. Instead I've been careful to fuel with Canadian fuel as soon as I crossed the border and relied on it being appropriately blended for the climate. I've also relied on the Davco Fuel Pro to do its job in separating any water.

    But these days It's a real gamble if Esso or Husky will even have fuel and that US fuel is such a bargain (compare pre IFTA prices!) and I don't like to get under half tanks if I don't need to, so I'm topping up south of the border.

    So I'm tempted to use something, but what should I use, if anything?
     
    Freightlinerbob, Dec 7, 2013
    Freightlinerbob, Dec 7, 2013
    #1
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  3. Dec 7, 2013 #2
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    South of the border, you can top with No.1 straight at some of the smaller suppliers for sure,and maybe some of the majors. Winter blend is 70% No.1 and is good to -30 or 35 F. That is what I would do, and the fuel being sold in the north of this country has mostly been treated with pour point enhancers so it doesn't cause the truck stops trouble. I saw the barrels being delivered last fall at several places I stopped in WI and IL. I'd add the No.1 for the insane temps of below -40 that occur, and if the area I was running doesn't get that much colder, I would fuel south of the border and get whatever they have, it shouldn't be that much different from where you will be running.

    The Davco helps and the new DD engines have another fluid separator with green and red LEDs indicating OK or needs draining.
     
    25(2)+2, Dec 7, 2013
    25(2)+2, Dec 7, 2013
    #2
    Freightlinerbob Thanks this.
  4. Dec 7, 2013 #3
    liner

    liner Medium Load Member

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    ontario
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    I've used Kleen Flo diesel fuel conditioner for close to 40 years now and it has never let me down.I buy it by the case and one can treats 1000 liters.
     
    liner, Dec 7, 2013
    liner, Dec 7, 2013
    #3
    Freightlinerbob Thanks this.
  5. Dec 7, 2013 #4
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    West Coast B.C.
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    Well thats good to know and I'm really not trying to be an ###, but the sceptic in me always wants to ask, did you need it in the first place?

    The only issues I've ever had were related to water in the fuel filter freezing. The first time was due to the truck owner being negligent and the second time I was the owner and negligent as well. But I learned quickly by installing a spin on filter with a drain.
    All trucks since then have had Davcos and no icing problems.
     
    Freightlinerbob, Dec 7, 2013
    Freightlinerbob, Dec 7, 2013
    #4
    25(2)+2 Thanks this.
  7. Dec 7, 2013 #5
    Prairie Boy

    Prairie Boy Road Train Member

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    Edmonton, AB
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    The only time I have had to use this was about 8 years ago when a truck was full of summer fuel and hauled up to Ft. Nelson at 30 below. Poured this in the tank and you could actually observe the fuel turning clear.


    http://www.merchant-automotive.com/fppfpolarpower.aspx


    As for adding to fuel "just cause". Don't need to. No one sells summer fuel during winter in this country.
     
    Prairie Boy, Dec 7, 2013
    Prairie Boy, Dec 7, 2013
    #5
  8. Dec 7, 2013 #6
    liner

    liner Medium Load Member

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    Mar 15, 2008
    ontario
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    Maybe I should clarify that a bit.I don't use it every time I fuel up,only in the winter if temps get down below 0 degrees F.The rest of the time I don't use any additives.
     
    liner, Dec 7, 2013
    liner, Dec 7, 2013
    #6
  9. Dec 9, 2013 #7
    itsneversafe

    itsneversafe Light Load Member

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    Aug 16, 2011
    Victoria BC
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    Our emergency kit for the company trucks is a bottle of airbrake antifreeze and Diesel 911.

    911 is awe inspiring stuff of the fuel system gels or gets iced. I think anyone driving a kenworth at -25 or more should have it on hand. That transfer block between the saddle tanks is very prone to blockage and gelling in the screens and can leave you stranded. Put in a bottle of 911 and she starts flowing in about 30 seconds.
     
    itsneversafe, Dec 9, 2013
    itsneversafe, Dec 9, 2013
    #7
  10. Dec 9, 2013 #8
    Johny41

    Johny41 Road Train Member

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    Feb 10, 2011
    Ontario, Canada
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    I don't buy diesel in Canada , i know is better qualitty and winterized , but is way cheaper in US ;company pays ifta ,and I get some discount also from pilot ; only rarerly if i go west ; here on my route from Ontario to Tx i buy in indiana, texas, mixhigan duty free. If is getting cold I use methanol from Husky, or Howes, and I get from Rural king storez, Il,Oh,In....half a price cheaper than truck stops; I also isolated the cross fuel line, I didn't cover the tanks because here is not like in prairies; but would be cheaper solution.
    http://www.ruralking.com/howes-1-2-gal-diesel-fuel-treatment-with-anti-gel-103060.html

    I forgot to mention, this stores "Wholesale Club" http://www.wholesaleclub.ca/LCLOnline/wholesale_club_products.jsp. ;i bought from yhis store diesel additives ,methanol based made in Quebec, very low price, 6-7$ / bottle and threats 5000 or 8000 litrres?! , I don't' remember, have to get home buy more .
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2013
    Johny41, Dec 9, 2013
    Johny41, Dec 9, 2013
    #8
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