Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gel Point Of Diesel?

[HookMeUp]

I found what the gel point of #2 diesel is, "#2 diesel starts to cloud at °32 and will solidify °15 below that point. " so that tells me that at °17 #2 diesel is no longer any good. Does anyone know what the gel point of #1 diesel is? blended 50/50 is?

 

[Hohn]

Diesel #2 freezes at -30°F.

Cloud point is -18°C on paper (about 0°F), but varies from one refinery to another.

Straight #1 doesn't gel until -40°F

Once you blend, you're on your own.

 

[KWentling]

I was also told that good quality #2 is good to zero. I use PS and don't take chances.



Kim

 

[TowPro]

I have seen #2 heating oil clog up fuel filters on my Father in-laws heater at around 17 deg. He had an above ground tank.

 

[DMcLeod]

A couple of comments...

"Gel" point?



Cloud point: The temperature at which waxes begin to precipitate out of the liquid. Appears as a physical clouding. This wax precipitate can clog fuel lines and filters.



Pour point: The temperature at which the fluid will not flow from a beaker when the beaker is placed on its side. If I remember correctly, the pour point is approx. 6degC colder than the cloud point.



There is an ASTM specification for fuel (ASTM D175) which goes into the specifics.



Note: The fuel at the pump typically contains additives that adjust the fuel properties. One station in AK told me their #2 diesel clouded at 0degF.

 

[jeepit]

When I had my truck for the first winter season I filled a small glass jar from where I always purchase fuel. It was #2, I'm sure that has additives and it's cetane rating is 50. Placed it in the shade and it got down to -5 overnite and it did not gel or cloud.

 

[MattSt]

Since we live in the same town, got cold huh! :{ Last night when I got home it was 3 degrees. I filled up with winter blend, whatever that means. I have no idea what %'s. At the Sinclair at 93rd and Ida. I was in a hurry and pulled too far forward and dropped the plow on my extension cord last night and chopped it in 1/2. It was plugged it, but not "plugged in".



Needless to say, when I got in this morning and saw the wait to start light I was worried. Found the chopped cord in the snow. She fired up. Sounded like a silo full of monkeys with hammers but it started fine.

 

[HookMeUp]

Mine started fine this morning. It's suppose to get to -2° tonight. I didn't want to take any chances so I stopped at NAPA and picked up some power service. I have been getting my fuel at QuickTrip on 108th between L st. and Q st.

 

[MattSt]

I always keep a case of Stanadyne in the garage in case of weather like this. But since I moved I can't seem to find it!

 

[GOT-Torque]

I'm about 70 miles south of you guys in Falls City, NE. It was zero this morning which I don't mind when theres alot of snow on the ground. I got my snowmobile out late lastnight and tried it out for the first time this year. We just don't have enough snow yet



BTW, I run PowerService all year long for the added benefits of lubing the pump and better fuel mileage.

 

[SHobbs]

Snow, what is that? We don't see much around here but it is in forecast for Wed. Which that means that all the usual idiots will on the road playing bumper cars, lol. I have been a little nervous with the B100 it has gotten down to 28 the last two nights and tonight will be a little colder. So far so good.

 

[Valv]

Minnesota here, the country's refrigerator !!!

This morning -12, my truck was gelled. Power service was useless, I had half gallon left on truck (the other half mixed in the tank), when I looked inside bottle the thing was thicker than thick honey, almost as grease. That's not good for a bottle that bears a red stamp saying Anti Gelling Guaranteed..... #@$%!



I went to store and bought straight kerosene and added 5 gallons to tank. After few tries, and some idling back and forth to mix it with fuel (I had almost full tank) truck start running normally and now it's doing great.



I am tempted to take Power Service back to store and get my money back, I think the stuff works only because they already mix diesel in wintertime, and we don't notice difference.



I am going to try Stanadyne, my problem is also lift pump located near fuel tank, it's not near motor to help warm it up.

I am considering tank heaters, but I am not convinced of safety.

 

[SHobbs]

Valv,



Something I have thought about that would be handy in the colder climates would be tank heaters. I'm thinking about the ones used on rv waste tanks, they only heat the tank enough to keep it above 40* I believe. Might be something worth looking into.

 

[Valv]

I started a complete new thread about this, I think liability is # 1 problem with this issue, you are heating fuel, it can get dangerous.

 

[Gordon Maney]

Minnesota here, the country's refrigerator !!!

This morning -12, my truck was gelled. Power service was useless, I had half gallon left on truck (the other half mixed in the tank), when I looked inside bottle the thing was thicker than thick honey, almost as grease. That's not good for a bottle that bears a red stamp saying Anti Gelling Guaranteed..... #@$%!



I went to store and bought straight kerosene and added 5 gallons to tank. After few tries, and some idling back and forth to mix it with fuel (I had almost full tank) truck start running normally and now it's doing great.



I am tempted to take Power Service back to store and get my money back, I think the stuff works only because they already mix diesel in wintertime, and we don't notice difference.



I am going to try Stanadyne, my problem is also lift pump located near fuel tank, it's not near motor to help warm it up.

I am considering tank heaters, but I am not convinced of safety.

You mention adding five gallons of kerosene. How much diesel was in there, do you think? Is there any problem with the kerosene mixture?

 

[SHobbs]

Well the B100 proved me wrong, last Wed was 17* and Thurs was 14* and no problems at all. Truck was plugged in both nights and fired right up the next day.

 

[monkfarm]

It depends on which refinery the #2 fuel comes out of, and if it's refined for winter or not. A lot of the winter fuel from Northern refineries is good untill 15 f below zero. (I have a business partner who had a bunch of trucks hauling fuel. . . ) It's better to be safe than sorry (at least keep extra fuel filters on hand)

 

[monkfarm]

I just saw the posts about adding the additives after the gelling. You have to add the fuel conditioner before it gels. If it is already gelled you have to add an emergency type of fuel conditioner like "911" or similiar additive that is designed to "melt" gelled fuel. Don't blame power service for your ignorance. . .