1% gasoline added to diesel to prevent gelling?

[GOT-Torque]

Ever heard of this?



My relatives use this on all their tractors/offroad equipment as well as their semi's and claim to never have any trouble with gelling. They have been doing it for about 4 years after they read in a service manual for Caterpillar to do this when cold out to prevent gelling. I believe they also add 2 stroke oil to help with lubricity.



I personnally don't think it is a good idea, I'm just looking for technical reasons why it shouldn't be done. So I can educate them.



Is it possible that it is okay on mechanically injected diesels vs. a 2nd gen truck with a VP44?



Thanks...

 

[keimmmo]

Mercedes used to recommend up to 10% Gasoline in the diesel fuel years ago. Here in Mexico, they never treat the fuel for cold weather. If you get caught in the mountains when a really cold front comes through you can get gelling in the upper teens. Good diesel additives are scarce and expensive if you find them. Most truckers just add a little gasoline to the fuel to get out of trouble since it is readily available and cheap.



I have come out of the remote mountain areas when I could not find diesel on a 50/50 mixture of used motor oil and gasoline. I wouldn't want to work the motor on the brew, but it runs fine at light loads. I got 90k miles out of the last VP... about as good as a lot of the fellows get. It must not have been THAT bad for the pump!



Is it a good idea? I doubt it. Would I recommend it over good quality additives? No way. Would I do it in an emergency? YOU BET I WOULD!!!



Steve Keim

 

[JasonCzerak]

Few jobs ago I was running LOW on fuel in the ryder truck. like REALLY LOW, like, I can see dry spots in the fuel tanks low.



So, we have a diesel generator and I took the YELLOW can that said "DIESEL" on it. poured in half of what's left in both tanks on the truck (one of the biggest ones with a DT466 + crappy auto). as I'm pouring I notice it's clear and catch a wiff... nope, not diesel, gasoline. . GRRRRRRRRRRREAT.



Granted it's a rental truck, I just drove it for about 30 minute around town trying to find a gastation with and area I can fit that stupid truck into (and it's some city I've never been to too boot). Drove fine, didn't miss a beat, topped her off and I was all set.

 

[fortunate1]

Good Day Mr. Czerak. We've been trying to reach you for some time now. I'm from Ryder Truck Rental, and we need to talk to you about a truck that you previously rented from us... ... . :-laf

(Oh, Sh... ... ... that's NOT FUNNY!!!)

 

[JasonCzerak]

Good Day Mr. Czerak. We've been trying to reach you for some time now. I'm from Ryder Truck Rental, and we need to talk to you about a truck that you previously rented from us... ... . :-laf

(Oh, Sh... ... ... that's NOT FUNNY!!!)

It wasn't under my name and I wasn't the only driver...

 

[telliott]

i know you can also do the opposite to prevent vapor lock on a hot day with an old carburated gasser. put a little diesel in with the gas, and you will minimize vapor lock problems.

 

[OL RATLR]

1% gasoline added to diesel to prevent

Never heard of puting Gasoline in Diesel I always heard of adding Kerosine

to diesel to prevent gelling.

 

[Hoefler]

Back when I was at the KW shop, it was common to get a truck off the interstate that had gelled. We would go out with new fuel filters, a jug of diesel, and 5 gallons of gasoline. We would change the fuel filter and dump the gas in the tank. If he had 150 gallons or more, he would get the whole 5 gallons of gas.

 

[JLEONARD]

VW also used to recommend adding gasoline to prevent gelling... they recommended up to 25%. It was in the owner's manual of the 81 I had once upon a time. That was with a VE pumped diesel.

 

[Champane Flight]

This is interesting...

It is dangerous to mix gasoline into diesel, kerosene, fuel oils etc

because the vapour space above the liquid fuel in the tank becomes

explosive at normal ambient temperature. Normally, the vapour space in

a diesel tank is mostly air, and the mixture is too lean (not enough

fuel) to burn. Gasoline is the other way around. It is very volatile,

and the vapour space is mostly fuel vapour and is too rich to burn or

explode. These are the only two conditions under which it is safe to

handle either fuels. If you mix gasoline and diesel fuels together, the

vapour space becomes explosive, and any ignition source such as static,

wiring etc. could cause the tank to explode.



gasoline, naphtha, solvents etc should never be mixed with diesel fuels,

fuel oils, kerosene etc.

 

[JGrefenstette]

i once read an online article from a past issue of the TDR and a mechanic answered this myth. The question was the exact same: "should i add a certain amount of gasoline to the diesel to improve cold weather opperations" I cant remeber the exact wording, but in short he said that it would cause premature wear on the injector pump and the injectors, due to the high temp at wich the gas will burn and also, the gasoline stripps the lubricity from the working parts in the injector pump, etc. yall probly already knew this anyhow but, thats my 2cents

 

[keimmmo]

Keresone or #1 diesel aren't very good lubricants either. I'm sure gasoline is even worse. But, if you can use less gasoline than kerosene it might about balance out. I would never recommend using gasoline to prevent gelling, but it is good information knowing it can get you out of a major problem if caught in an emergency.



Any time I have added gasoline to my tank, I have avoided working the motor hard. I'm sure it won't do as much damage if you stay off the throttle as much as possible!



Steve Keim

 

[wtfd6]

It is dangerous to mix gasoline into diesel, kerosene, fuel oils etc
because the vapour space above the liquid fuel in the tank becomes
explosive at normal ambient temperature. Normally, the vapour space in
a diesel tank is mostly air, and the mixture is too lean (not enough
fuel) to burn. Gasoline is the other way around. It is very volatile,
and the vapour space is mostly fuel vapour and is too rich to burn or
explode. These are the only two conditions under which it is safe to
handle either fuels. If you mix gasoline and diesel fuels together, the
vapour space becomes explosive, and any ignition source such as static,
wiring etc. could cause the tank to explode.

gasoline, naphtha, solvents etc should never be mixed with diesel fuels,
fuel oils, kerosene etc.

but gassers drive around like this every day. it is always a hazard, but how often do you really hear of fuel tanks exploding?

 

[Champane Flight]

Just found the quote.

but gassers drive around like this every day. it is always a hazard, but how often do you really hear of fuel tanks exploding?

I agree, but it would increase the risk of ignition.



#1 has lubricity added to it, it must carry the same lubricity factor as #2 according to law/ASTM standards. Most distributors that carry kerosene, are mislabeled, it is most likely #1 diesel, with lubricity additive. If they check their BOLs (Bill of ladings) it will state how much lubricity additive went into it.

 

[TAbbott]

Used to do the 1% thing all the time on trucks running the "high line" in Montana (US Hwy 2) and up into Alberta Canada in the winter. -40 or lower and no gelling and no mechanical problems either. Given a choice between potential engine damage and probable engine quitting in those temps, no question which is safer ... might even go 2% just to make sure!!