Regan Brown
Diesel fuel additives are an essential component of diesel engine maintenance. Unlike gasoline, diesel fuel is more susceptible to changes over time, even when stored, and requires additives to protect its performance, stability, lubricity, and cetane rating. Diesel fuel contains paraffin, which begins to crystallize at 32°F and turns to gel at 11-15°F, leading to clogged fuel tanks and filters. Anti-gel additives are commonly used to prevent this issue and improve cold-weather performance. Lubricity enhancers are another type of additive that reduces friction between engine parts, minimizing damage and extending engine life. Other additives include fuel stabilizers, which prevent fuel degradation during storage, and cold flow improvers, which help diesel fuel maintain fluidity in cold temperatures. The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) emphasizes the importance of using fuels with cetane numbers above 50 for optimal diesel engine performance.
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What You'll Learn
- When to add supplements: in cold weather, before filling up the tank?
- Why add supplements: to prevent fuel gelling, protect against icing?
- Types of supplements: anti-gel, lubricity enhancers, fuel stabilizers
- How much to add: follow instructions, more additive = better mixture?
- Brand recommendations: Power Service, Hot Shot's Secret, Cummins
When to add supplements: in cold weather, before filling up the tank
If you live in a cold region, it is important to add a diesel fuel supplement to your tank to prevent the fuel from gelling and to protect against fuel-filter icing. Diesel fuel contains wax, which exists in liquid form in warm weather. However, as temperatures drop, the wax begins to thicken and crystallize, giving the fuel a cloudy appearance. This can lead to the fuel filter becoming plugged, causing the fuel to be unable to reach the engine.
To prevent this, a diesel fuel supplement with a wax crystal modifier, such as Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement, can be added to the tank. This modifier changes the shape and size of the wax crystals as they form, allowing the fuel to flow past the crystal accumulation at lower temperatures. It is recommended to add the supplement when temperatures drop to around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, before the wax crystals begin to form and the fuel reaches its Cloud Point.
Additionally, it is generally recommended to add a diesel fuel supplement each time you fill the tank in winter. This helps to improve the fuel's stability and performance, especially in cold weather. It is also important to use a lubricating diesel additive to prevent premature engine wear and tear, as the low-sulfur diesel used today has reduced lubricating properties.
When adding a diesel fuel supplement, it is ideal to add it before filling up the tank. This allows the supplement to mix with the fuel as it is added to the tank, ensuring a proper mix. However, some people also add the supplement after filling up, as it will still mix with some driving and sloshing.
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Why add supplements: to prevent fuel gelling, protect against icing
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which crystallises at 32°F and turns to gel at 11-15°F. This gelled wax clogs the fuel tank, lines, and filters, preventing fuel from reaching the engine. Water in the fuel system can also freeze, causing ice crystals that block fuel flow. This is known as "fuel icing".
To prevent fuel gelling and icing, anti-gel additives can be added to the diesel fuel. These additives lower the gelling point of the fuel, improving the engine's cold-weather performance. They also disperse moisture, preventing it from clogging and freezing fuel filters.
Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost is one such additive that prevents fuel gelling and protects against fuel-filter icing. It is intended for use during the winter months when temperatures drop below 30°F. The additive is available in various sizes, and the amount added to the diesel fuel depends on the temperature and the volume of diesel fuel being treated.
Using diesel additives in cold weather is crucial to ensure the operability of diesel vehicles. Without additives, diesel engines may experience reduced performance and require replacement parts due to residue buildup.
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Types of supplements: anti-gel, lubricity enhancers, fuel stabilizers
Anti-gel
Diesel fuel is susceptible to temperature changes, especially cold weather. When temperatures drop, diesel fuel can begin to gel, forming wax crystals and turning into a gel-like substance. This can cause issues with fuel flow, leading to smoke, loss of power, hard starts, or even the inability to start the engine. To prevent this, anti-gel supplements can be added to diesel fuel. These supplements work by lowering the temperature at which the fuel gels, allowing it to remain in a liquid state at colder temperatures.
Some popular anti-gel supplements include Howes Diesel Treat and Opti-Lube XPD. Howes Diesel Treat is a well-known and trusted brand in North America, known for its effectiveness in preventing gelling and improving lubricity. Opti-Lube XPD is another top-rated option that, in addition to improving lubricity, also boosts cetane and cleans injectors.
Lubricity Enhancers
Lubricity refers to the slipperiness or slickness of diesel fuel. The removal of sulfur from diesel fuel has unintentionally reduced its lubricity. Lubricity enhancers or improvers are additives that can be used to increase the slipperiness of the fuel. These additives are particularly important for the proper functioning of fuel injectors, pumps, and upper cylinders.
When choosing a lubricity enhancer, it is important to determine its makeup. Some lubricity agents, such as acid-based dimers or monoacid-based lubricity enhancers, can react with metal cations like calcium and sodium, forming waxy deposits that can clog filters. Therefore, it is crucial to select a lubricity enhancer that has been properly tested and proven to improve lubricity without causing adverse effects.
Fuel Stabilizers
Fuel stabilizers are additives designed to preserve the quality and freshness of diesel fuel during storage. Over time, diesel fuel can deteriorate, gum up, or become contaminated with microbes. Fuel stabilizers inhibit degradation, prevent oxidation, and maintain fuel stability, ensuring that the fuel remains effective for a longer period. They are particularly useful for machines or vehicles that are stored for extended periods, such as lawnmowers, snowblowers, or generators.
When choosing a fuel stabilizer, it is important to select one that is suitable for diesel fuel. Stabilizers can be designed for gasoline, diesel, or both, so reading the labels is crucial. Additionally, look for products that offer protection against gum and varnish buildup, corrosion, and phase separation in ethanol-blended fuels. While fuel stabilizers can extend the shelf life of diesel fuel, it is important to note that they do not improve gas mileage.
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How much to add: follow instructions, more additive = better mixture
Adding diesel fuel supplements can improve the performance of your engine and protect it from damage. There are different types of additives, each designed to address specific issues. For example, anti-gel additives are popular in cold weather as they lower the gelling point of diesel fuel and improve engine performance. Other additives can increase the cetane rating of diesel fuel, resulting in smoother combustion and improved power output. Some additives are designed to clean vehicle system components, removing carbon deposits and preventing the formation of harmful deposits in the system.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when adding diesel fuel supplements. The manufacturer will provide guidelines on the recommended dosage, frequency of use, and any specific instructions for your particular vehicle or fuel type. Using excessive amounts of fuel additives or using them more frequently than recommended can lead to engine damage. Therefore, it is important to add the correct amount of additive to your diesel fuel.
The amount of additive to be added depends on the specific product and your vehicle's needs. Some products may recommend a certain ratio of additive to fuel, such as a certain number of ounces of additive per gallon of fuel. Other products may provide a recommended dosage based on the size of your fuel tank. It is important to carefully measure the recommended amount of additive and not exceed the specified dosage.
In general, it is recommended to add the additive directly to your fuel tank before refueling. This encourages proper mixing and distribution of the additive throughout the fuel mixture. Adding the additive before fueling allows it to mix with the fuel as it is dispensed into the tank. However, even if you add the additive after fueling, it will still mix with the fuel as you drive. Some people prefer to add the additive at home and then shake their vehicle to help mix the additive and fuel.
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Brand recommendations: Power Service, Hot Shot's Secret, Cummins
Power Service offers a range of diesel fuel supplements, including Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost, which is designed for winter operability. It prevents fuel gelling and protects against fuel-filter icing when temperatures drop below 30°F. The amount of supplement to be added depends on the temperature and the volume of diesel fuel. For example, at temperatures above 0°F, you would add 12 ounces of the supplement to 40 gallons of diesel fuel. Power Service also recommends using Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost (in the silver bottle) for peak performance in non-winter months.
Hot Shots Secret is another brand that offers a range of diesel fuel supplements, including their Hot Shots Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel. This product is designed to prevent fuel gelling and improve cold flow properties, making it ideal for winter use. It also helps to lubricate fuel injectors and pumps, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions. The treatment ratio for this supplement is typically 1 ounce per 10 gallons of diesel fuel.
Cummins, a well-known manufacturer of diesel engines, also offers a range of fuel additives under the brand name Cummins Additive Technology. Their products include the Cummins Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost, which is designed to improve the performance of diesel engines. It helps to increase fuel lubricity, enhance engine performance, and improve fuel stability. Cummins recommends following the treatment ratios specified on their product labels, which vary depending on the specific supplement and the volume of diesel fuel being treated.
Each brand has its own unique formulas and recommendations for usage, so it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the specific product being used. These brands offer a range of diesel fuel supplements that can help improve engine performance, protect against fuel-related issues, and ensure a smoother driving experience, especially during winter months.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel supplement is a blend of additives that improve the performance of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is heavier and more prone to change over time, even in storage. Therefore, additives are necessary to protect its cold weather performance, stability, lubricity, and cetane rating.
Diesel fuel supplement should be added when temperatures drop below 30°F to prevent fuel gelling and protect against fuel-filter icing. It is also recommended to add the supplement when temperatures reach 32°F to use as an anti-gel as the fuel reaches the freezing point.
The amount of diesel fuel supplement to be added depends on the volume of diesel fuel and the temperature. For example, at temperatures above 0°F, add 12 ounces of supplement to 40 gallons of diesel fuel. When temperatures drop below 0°F, add 12 ounces of supplement to 20 gallons of diesel fuel.
Diesel fuel supplements improve the performance of diesel fuel by increasing lubrication and preventing corrosion. They also reduce ignition delay, improve combustion, and increase fuel efficiency. Additionally, diesel fuel supplements help to prevent fuel gelling and protect against fuel-filter icing in cold temperatures.
