Adding anti gel fluid to my fuel tanks.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BillStep, Nov 26, 2018.

  1. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    In my opinion you just touched on the right answer here. A driver needs to know their truck, AND beware of subfreezing weather to plan accordingly. As for me when I was driving and the weather was forecast to get in the low 30s or below I was adding treatment. I was using an APU my tractor would not run but for just a few minutes before it auto cut off. I got caught with gelled fuel once many years before. I swore never again.
     
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  3. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Most who think they’re “fuel gel’d” with northern winter blend in fact probably only experienced the accumulated paraffins in the filter geling up.

    If you buy a lot of “budget fuel” throughout the year, it’s very important to do frequent filter changes, especially in winter.
     
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  4. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Getting the water out is important, shutting down with tanks near full helps accomplish that.

    The DD15 I have been driving has a heated Davco plus the the water separator on the engine, which has never shown red(needed to be drained).

    I don't add antigel , but I fuel up where I run, don't go very far south, and I've observed the delivery of pallets of cold weather fuel treatments at several places over the years, and the guy dumping in a bucket while making a fuel drop. The pumps will gel, too, I saw that getting a bulk delivery while farming, poor Stu, may he rest in peace, couldn't figure that one out, but I did.

    Bio isn't sold at 100% except in special cases, most limit it to 20% or less, b20, I saw one which said 19% or less. New bio is a different process, utilizing heat, pressure and an additive(methanol, iirc) to reduce the viscosity of the esters to be compatible with the mix and meet the cloud point, pour point specified.

    I don't worry about that at all. The KWIK locations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin sold premium diesel with antigel guaranteed to the mid 30sF, not to gel. If I was worried, I found some of that.

    Lastly, a driver I knew well always added plenty, and gelled hers up really bad, it needs to be added at the right time and agitated plenty, as, if not blended enough with fuel, some of them will plug things up, too.

    .
     
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  5. BillStep

    BillStep Light Load Member

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    Well I woke up this morning and everything was fine. Did have to do a re gen about 1am. I added a bottle to my tanks at 3/4. Half to one tank and half to the other tank. Also put a little under a half bottle to my reefer tank and put the unit to cycle. Will load tonight and head back south. I asked the clerk at Pilot if the fuel was treated to prevent gelling. He looked at me like I had a booger hanging out my nose. I said never mind it's all good. See you next time.
     
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  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    i think you DID have booger hanging...

    it's not at all hard to believe fuel desk clerks are not rocket scientists...
     
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  7. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    Straight diesel will be fine to 5 or so, but with that bio crap mixed in I'll toss a jug at 20, it's cheaper than buying filters.
     
  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    In 25 years I've use maybe 2 bottles of anti-gel.
     
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  9. driverdriver

    driverdriver Road Train Member

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    Spoke with a pilot fuel driver who told me they don't start treating til it's 15 degrees outside.
     
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