Diesel Fuel Conditioner question

That's a good question. Sometimes wonder about usefulness of conditioner. Have Howes on hand as its priced okay. Had a diesel shop years back say Kleen-Flo was their choice. Tried it and noticed no difference. Also heard it said that with the ULSD now in use that conditioner isn't essential. Yes there are lots of changes. Of course good clean well maintained filtration is number one imho. Would be nice to hear what the guys with the wrenches think though.

 

Winter fuel up north is good for -20° f cloud point. But have something handy to put in when temps drop if you turn truck off put diesel 911 in before shutting down.
Or if you fueled tanks down south they usually don't blend for very cold temps. So once again keep stuff on hand for coming north. Howes is ok. But if your fuel starts gelling diesel 911 is the stuff you need, red bottle.
Running winter blend fuel in a series 60 up north with no additives, I never had a gell issue. But I never shut truck off for 2 weeks at a time. And series 60 return a lot of fuel to the tanks for cold weather you don't need any heater when running.
I say this because when your exhaust freezes to the trailer you know it's at least negative 30 outside.

 

I haven’t been in cold enough temps in the last few years, but I used the power service in the white bottle.
When I change filters I use the gray bottle to fill the filters.

 

The winter diesel we get up in Northern Alberta hardly ever have issues with it gelling, even when it's close to -40°C. I have had to add melt down or conditioner to the equipment that either sat with summer fuel or stuff that came up from the south.

 

Seem to see issues every winter. Hear it all the time- "but the pump said it was winter blend" Not worth the risk to me. Stay treated or stay home IMO.

I agree Power Service is a good product and recommend it just the same.

 

I seem to recall that winter fuel has more of the parafin wax removed. Thus the lower BTU output from winter fuel. Been a while since I studied up on fuel lol.

 

Nothing really removed from winter fuel only stuff added for cold flow. But many times they don't add enough before that cold snap, and its a bad day for many that did not idle their engines overnight.
I've been to a few truck stops and they just had a pallet or two of antigell sitting waiting for the fuel guy or whoever to add it when needed to the holding tank.

 

Basically winter fuel has kerosene added to it.. In 20 years running coast to coast in Canada Without conditioner I’ve only had 2 issues with partially freezing up both were in minus 40 to 45 weather and on a cat c15 which returns less fuel to the tanks..