gas blends

[PaulG]

okay i've been seeing people on here talk about gas blends #2 and then a winter blend #1 or something like that. what does it mean?

how can you tell the differance and where do you get it?



i mean my gas stations around here usually only have 1-2 pumps and i never noticed a differance.



if someone could explain the differance and how to tell which is which that would be great! thanks





(sorry for dumb question )

 

[JPope]

Diesel Blends

"... gas blends #2 and then a winter blend #1... "



should be DIESEL blends!!!!!!!!



that aside, basic primer:



#2 diesel- normal fuel

#1 - kerosene (I believe)

winterized- usually a blend of #2 and #1 to lower gelling point

#2 Premium- additives have been added to raise cetane point and possibly other things. Can be nebulous defining Premium (do a search!!!! lots of discussion)



A lot of people use #2 throughout the winter up north and provide their own additive of choice (do a search, lots of discussion on which one) for lowering the gell point. Also the subject of lubricity for the injector pumps and additives is important (again doa search). Some stations up here only have winterized available during the winter season). Down south only #2 and Premium may be available).

*******Gas in diesel is a big potential problem, a search can find a lot of discussion on what to do if this occurs. ********



Type of diesel posted on pump, including OFF-ROAD!!! Some of the stations around here have the various grades in OFF-ROAD and ON-ROAD, the difference being is OFF-ROAD is dyed (red) and can result in a large fine if you are caught using it in an on road (road taxable) vehicle.

 

[J Shocik]

I noticed you live in Ct. IMO I wouldn't worry about it as the fuel companies ( noticed I said FUEL and not GAS_ HA! HA! ) usually take care of blending anti-gel agents in the diesel fuel. If you keep track of fuel milage (MPG), you'll notice your mileage drop in the winter months, this being one of the reasons. You would have to have temps below zero to start worrying about it. IF you decide to add an anti-gel agent of your own, make sure it's for diesel fuel only- don't use dry-gas. I used to use an additive, but found it to be a waste of money and time. I've had no problems with this. Hope this helps.

 

[PaulG]

well i must have a bad batch of "fuel" sorry guys because it was gelling up. i put anti-gel (howes brand) in and the problem went away. wierd just cause i've seen it 13deg. here and never had a problem anyhow we'll see, maybe try a differant station thanks guys!

Paul G

 

[barbwire]

Oo. Oo.

Sorry I just could'nt help myself. I am better now.

Anyway Paul, there are good answers to your post from the other guys. Happy Holidays.

 

[J Shocik]

Paul, Use what ever gives you peace of mind. If the anti-gel stuff works, fine! I would HATE for you to follow my advise and get stuck out in the boonies some where saying "That J Shocik is an idiot ( or worse )!!! I'm just telling what works for me. If I were you, I'd use the stuff and say " That J Shocik is an idiot!! ( HA! HA!) Hope this helps.

 

[MMiller]

Remember that not just the temp has an effect on the fuel. I have had diesels that start and run fine for an hour, but once out on the road with the air moving around, and very bad wind chills having gelling problems. Under 20*F I run howes additive, and start mixing#1 and #2 around 30/70. Yea it might be higher cost, and trouble, but the truck keeps running and I get home with some times precious cargo, my kids!



Where I get into trouble now is my truck sits all the time because I have a company truck. I might not burn a tank of fuel in a month, and cold snaps catch me with the wrong fuel!!



Take an extra fuel filter and tools with you all the time to crack fuel lines loose, and change the fuel filter. I have had to change fuel filter along the road, add some howes or power service to the fuel, then crack the injector lines to get the motor to fire, then tighten the fuel lines and let the truck run for a while. This was even with mixed fuel, but had terrible wind chills!!



IMO Howes is good stuff. On the farm we had a tractor with straight#2 in it. temp was well below 0. We could stand a screw driver up in the fuel tank, the fuel was so thick! We had to get it to run, dumped in a jug of Howes, plugged in the block heater. 1 hour later the perkins was running, loaded trucks with grain, and it never missed a beat!



Michael

 

[RowJ]

For what it's worth, I have seen the new on-road, low sulfur, #2 Diesel fuel that had a gel point as high as +18 degrees F.



Anyone buying diesel fuel at a service station should not have a problem. They will blend it w/ Kerosene if needed in your area.

Only problem I can think of is on a south to north trip where you buy fuel in Florida and drive to Maine.



PaulG - you may have bgt from a place that does not sell much diesel and still had a tank full of #2. I strongly recommend buying from a busy diesel pump; less chance of water forming in fuel (from condensation) or diesel fuel deterioration.



I assume in CT. you get #1 diesel wether you want it or not.





I do not see type of diesel posted on pumps around here. I buy at Walmart - best price around and they seem to have a tanker in every 2 weeks or so. I called Murphy's offices in Arkansas (Walmarts fuel subsidiary) and they told me in this part of the country they supply #2 diesel yr round. They switch to #1 diesel from Tulsa North. I assume it's the same all over; on the east coast, maybe from Virginia north?