Can someone explain what exactly happens when diesel fuel gels up

I'm posting this to make a correction... I must have been tired when I made this post because the mix ratio is wrong...

I use 8 ounces of 90% Isopropyl Alcohol per 100 gallons of diesel, 1 quart treats 400 gallons. Southern fuel I will double the dosage to 16 ounces per 100 gallons.

 

Changed post where I quoted you .

 

Isopropyl is what you wanna add to the wiper fluid as well.

 

Way back when we would drop about 2 gals. of no lead gas into each side.
Wasn't recommended as an additive but always worked.
They said it would accelerate engine and injector wear but I didn't care about that, I was more concerned about not freezing to death.
Don't know if I'd recommend it w today's engines but It always worked for me.
BTW it's-15 up north...too early

 

We get some cold temps, but I know guys that will dump 5 gallons in 150 gallon tanks. These guys are still running mechanical engines that do not return as much hot fuel though.
I have even put a gallon on my diesel pickup a few times too.

With the newer engines, they return enough fuel, they will not gel as long as you leave them running. One company up here has their #2 fuel shipped up from Washington and runs it all winter, to get the better mileage, I do not know if it pencils out or not. The same people own that company and another one and the way I understand it the on uses #2 and the other one the winter blend, it may be for testing purposes too.

 

We all fueled at the same ts & used Howe . But the non aero trucks with exposed tanks didn't gel.

 

And save money on new engine when your truck will get flooded in hurricane

 

insurance. lol

 

yeah, that’s old school.

 

I just use the rainX 20 below washer fluid, it might freeze if I left the truck outside, but the it is under the hood so I have never had it freeze even at 50 below. On my freightliner it is behind the passenger seat in the cab, so no worries about it freezing.