Fuel Issues in the Upper Midwest!

[JoshPeters]

I just recieved this from a former memeber here on the TDR, JohnE.



JP

_________



We got a notice from Flint Hills about problems with Arctic Gold® and bio. The Arctic Gold diesel does not keep the bio dissolved and it will collect in the fuel filter until it plugs.

Arctic Gold is a proprietary #2 winter diesel only available in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota & North Dakota market served by Flint Hills. Well, scratch Minnesota as Flint Hills pulled it from the Minnesoat market due to the bio issues.



I actually discovered this last month on a 5°F evening when my truck cranked fine, but wouldn't fire. I has just filled with Arctic Gold at local station and of course 2% bio per MN law. I thought the retailer had gotten a load of regular diesel and the bio raised gel hit me. I didn't add any anti-gel as the Gold was good for -35° temps last winter and temps were only supposed to hit zero.



Regular blended #1/#2 fuel is NOT having this problem. Just remember that as little as 2% bio will raise the gel point approximately 10°F



If you travel in and out of Minnesota this can be a problem. If you get a load of Arctic Gold outside of Minnesota and then top off with 2% bio in MN You may get a plugged filter.

Conventional anti-gel does NOT prevent this problem.

 

[steved]

I just recieved this from a former memeber here on the TDR, JohnE.



JP

_________



We got a notice from Flint Hills about problems with Arctic Gold® and bio. The Arctic Gold diesel does not keep the bio dissolved and it will collect in the fuel filter until it plugs.

Arctic Gold is a proprietary #2 winter diesel only available in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota & North Dakota market served by Flint Hills. Well, scratch Minnesota as Flint Hills pulled it from the Minnesoat market due to the bio issues.



I actually discovered this last month on a 5°F evening when my truck cranked fine, but wouldn't fire. I has just filled with Arctic Gold at local station and of course 2% bio per MN law. I thought the retailer had gotten a load of regular diesel and the bio raised gel hit me. I didn't add any anti-gel as the Gold was good for -35° temps last winter and temps were only supposed to hit zero.



Regular blended #1/#2 fuel is NOT having this problem. Just remember that as little as 2% bio will raise the gel point approximately 10°F



If you travel in and out of Minnesota this can be a problem. If you get a load of Arctic Gold outside of Minnesota and then top off with 2% bio in MN You may get a plugged filter.

Conventional anti-gel does NOT prevent this problem.

Hmmm, I was just there this past weekend and had no trouble with the fuel at either MN or WI... it got to 5*F.



I will add that I saw this at the new Love's TS in IL (I80 near I39, maybe Exit 91?)... the guy filling the tanks dumped a 2. 5 gallon jug of something into the tank just before he started filling them. Bulk antigel???



steved

 

[JoshPeters]

It probably was bulk Antigel, but the conventional antigel isn't working with the Bio. The Bio is seperating as it passes through the fuel filter and clogging the filter.



JP

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

Fueled at fleet farm yesterday, noticed the koch signs were off the pumps, asked the guy and he said they could not promise the freeze temp, and he said that the bill of lading said 50/50 on it.

started today in 5 with a light hesitiation. like a hiccup before the crank, one or two revs and she fired, no plug in. so far, so good.

 

[RSarvie]

Which Fleet? I always get fuel here at the Brainerd one, see the sign switched from "Arctic" to "Gold" diesel. Was going to ask the same question, what blend now? Have a little left in my tank to burn out before I go for a fill up, so I'm checking a few places. No problems here so far, but I'm in an insulated garage.

 

[bmoeller]

I will add that I saw this at the new Love's TS in IL (I80 near I39, maybe Exit 91?). .

Utica exit 81. I haven't stopped in there yet, but have been past it plenty.



JC Whitney is at that exit.



steved- Next time you come though, give me a heads up if you like. Meet for coffee or something. I'm actually close to IA, but can drive a bit.

 

[RKerner]

No problems up here in Roseau. -20F and colder and starts like it should. I don't see any arctic gold signs either.

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

I am down in the cities, the fridley fleet farm. They have no signs on the pumps now at all. But she runs. Mileage is down 10% on the Ram and at least that on the work car, an '81 Diesel Mercedes.

 

[JoshPeters]

I have gotten 2 reports of issues. Generally guys that run back and forth across the border.



JP