Fuel gelling

About the only time I add anti-gel is if I fueled down south, and then head into the nether-regions up north and there is going to be single digit temps before I fuel up north.

 

Only time i had a gel problem was texas fuel at 80 degrees in wyoming at 5 degrees and winds. The fuel pump relay also quit working. I idle below 20 degrees if parking for a 10 now. Course. It hasnt been an issue on home time in january.

 

I use anti gel only when temp reach -15 to -20F and lower and i make sure all of our equipment is full of fuel, touching woods but no gelling issue in the last few years...

 

Wow! Did you see those melons roll every where!

 

15f for a overnight low you wouldn't have a problem .....even if the truck was shut off for your 10 hour break....

 

I've always used gasoline instead of anti-gel if I get into temps below 10f. Much cheaper. But then,.. its my truck.

Hurst

 

Most of the people who have fuel problems at relatively warm temps are buying fuel from poor sources

 

It's important to know if the fuel you bought was blended. Here's what I know: Most places that sell blended fuel will sell it that way between October 15 and April 15, at least in WY and surrounding areas. The #2 fuel is usually blended with 30% of #1 diesel.

When I had several trucks we had a fuel tank in the yard and used to buy fuel from the local fuel jobber. To make sure they were blending fuel the way we ordered it we actually tested the CPFF (cold filter plugging point) and the pour point a couple times a year. (We had a lab with a pour point test apparatus due to the nature of the products our company sold). The test is simple, basically you add dry ice to pure isopropyl alcohol and create a cold bath. The alcohol will become thick. you place a jar of diesel in the cold bath, being careful not to let it touch the dry ice chunks. With a thermometer in the bath you monitor the temp. First the fuel will begin to form waxy flakes, this if the CFPP. Then it will become thick and not move when the jar is removed from the bath and tilted.

Typical results for summer fuel (straight #2) were cloud point around 22-25 degrees F and gel around 5 degrees F.

Blended fuel at 70% #2 and 30% #1 would typically cloud at or below 5 degrees F and gel at around -20 degrees F.

We tried a 60/40 blend once but the cloud and gel points were not affected, so 70/30 turned out to be the best blend. Always idle if it gets colder than 0, it's cheaper to burn the fuel than it is to get it thawed out in the morning.

 

This is a spec sheet for my fuel suppliers summer ulsd.....



Cloud point 9F......

 

Don't bother with antigell. it works but a waste of money. go to the store and buy 2 large bottles of rubbing alcohol. works just as good and is a lot cheaper.