Katerina Swanson
Coolants are essential in preventing engines from overheating and freezing. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a liquid mixture that helps carry heat away from the engine. It also prevents the engine from freezing during winter and stops it from overheating in summer. Coolants are especially important for heavy-duty diesel equipment, where overheating can cause permanent damage and safety hazards. While there are various types of coolants, diesel engines require heavy-duty, fully formulated coolants that are regularly tested and adjusted. Coolant/antifreeze is typically a mixture of multiple components, including antifreeze and water, and may contain other additives. Antifreeze is also used as a fuel additive in diesel engines to prevent gelling in freezing temperatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine issues | Engine shutdown, worsened vehicle performance, decrease in gas mileage, clogged fuel filters, white smoke from the exhaust, black smoke from the tailpipe |
| Engine maintenance | Drain the antifreeze from the fuel tank, change fuel filters, drain the injector pump, bleed the fuel system |
| Coolant type | Heavy-duty coolant, long-life coolants, conventional coolant, inorganic additive technology (IAT) coolants, organic acid coolants |
| Coolant composition | Antifreeze and water, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol |
| Coolant function | Raises the boiling point of water, prevents the engine from freezing, carries heat away from the engine |
| Antifreeze function | Decreases freezing point of liquids |
| Antifreeze alternatives | Diesel anti-gel additives, kerosene, block heaters |
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What You'll Learn
How to fix the issue of antifreeze in diesel fuel
If you've accidentally put antifreeze in your diesel fuel tank, the first step is to drain the remaining antifreeze from the tank. As antifreeze is denser than diesel, it will settle at the bottom of the tank. Next, you will need to change the fuel filters and drain the injector pump before bleeding your fuel system. Running a fuel conditioner or transmission fluid for the next few tanks of fuel can help relubricate the system.
To prevent issues arising from having antifreeze in your diesel fuel, it is important to identify the signs of diesel gelling, which occurs when wax crystals form in the fuel. This can result in clogged fuel filters, reduced engine power, and even a complete engine shutdown. Signs of gelling include worsened vehicle performance, decreased gas mileage, clogged filters, and white or black smoke from the exhaust or tailpipe.
To prevent diesel gelling, you can use anti-gel fuel supplements, which are added directly to the fuel tank. These supplements lower the freezing point of diesel fuel, preventing it from gelling in cold temperatures. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the amount of anti-gel to use, as the quantity can vary depending on the temperature.
Another option to prevent diesel gelling is to add kerosene to your diesel fuel. However, it is crucial to ensure that the correct ratio of kerosene to diesel fuel is used, typically around 20% kerosene and 80% diesel. Additionally, it is important to use undyed and deodorized kerosene to avoid damaging your fuel system.
For those operating in extremely cold climates, diesel anti-gel additives, such as STA-BIL Diesel All Season Anti Gel, can provide protection down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the vehicle heated during breaks from driving can also help prevent diesel fuel from gelling.
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The role of antifreeze in diesel engines
Coolant is an essential component of diesel engines. It is a liquid mixture that helps carry heat away from the engine and prevents it from freezing in cold weather. Coolant is also known as antifreeze, although antifreeze is technically just one component of coolant. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of the liquid and increases the boiling point of water.
There are several different types of coolant available for diesel engines, including glycol-based antifreeze and organic acid coolants. Glycol is an organic chemical compound commonly used as a component in engine coolant. It belongs to the alcohol family of chemicals. All antifreeze contains a chemical base, and ethylene glycol is one of the most popular. The main advantage of ethylene glycol is that it effectively decreases freezing points. However, it is relatively toxic. Propylene glycol is another type of glycol-based antifreeze.
Organic acid coolants are long-life coolants with a corrosion protection additive. They are designed to provide effective cooling for the entire life of a diesel engine while protecting metals such as aluminium and magnesium from corrosion. This type of coolant is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Coolants with inorganic additive technology (IAT) are usually glycol-based antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors added.
Extended-life coolants are advertised to last around 600,000 miles or 12,000 operating hours. They use organic acid inhibitors to protect the engine's metal components by forming a thin skin against the more damaging ingredients found in coolants.
In cold climates, diesel fuel can gel, causing wax crystals to form in the fuel, which can result in clogged fuel filters, reduced engine power, and even complete engine shutdown. To prevent this, diesel anti-gel additives can be used, as well as block heaters to keep the engine warm.
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The difference between antifreeze and coolant
While the terms "antifreeze" and "coolant" are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze, and sometimes other additives, such as corrosion inhibitors, which help protect your engine from corrosion. Coolant is circulated through the engine to absorb and carry away excess heat, preventing the engine from overheating.
Antifreeze, on the other hand, is a chemical or ethylene glycol-based liquid that is added to the coolant to prevent the water in the radiator coils from freezing during winter. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of water and increases its boiling point, allowing it to remain fluid in cold climates and preventing it from turning to steam in hot climates. This protects the engine from freezing and helps to maintain a consistent temperature.
It is important to note that not all antifreeze is coolant, but all coolants contain antifreeze. The ratio of water to antifreeze in the coolant can vary depending on the climate. For example, a 50/50 mix is standard, but in colder climates, a 70/30 mixture may be used to prevent freezing.
If you accidentally add antifreeze to a diesel fuel tank, you will need to drain the remaining antifreeze, change the fuel filters, drain the injector pump, and bleed your fuel system.
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How to prevent diesel gelling
Diesel fuel gelling is a common issue in cold climates, where the paraffin wax present in diesel fuel solidifies, clogging filters and fuel lines. This can hinder the engine's operations and impact the vehicle's ability to start. Here are some ways to prevent diesel gelling:
Use Winter-Blend Fuel or Additives
Use a winter-blend fuel or fuel additives to prevent gelling. Winter-blend fuels have a lower gelling point and contain additives that can help prevent the fuel from gelling in cold temperatures. Additives like anti-gel and flow improvers can improve the cold-weather performance of diesel fuel by lowering the gelling point and enhancing fuel flow.
Keep Fuel Tanks Full
Keep your fuel tank as full as possible. The smaller the space in the tank, the more likely it is for condensation to form and freeze. A full fuel tank generates less condensation, helping to prevent water from entering the fuel system.
Store Your Vehicle in a Warm Place
Protect your vehicle by storing it in a climate-controlled garage or heated environment. This shields it from freezing outdoor temperatures, reducing the chances of fuel gelling.
Use Light Bulbs, Heaters, or Tarps
If storing your vehicle in a warm garage is not an option, consider using light bulbs, heaters, or tarps to keep it warm. Place light bulbs under your vehicle to emit heat and maintain engine warmth. Alternatively, wrap your vehicle in a tarp and run a heater to blow warm air overnight.
Use Block Heaters
Block heaters are another effective solution. They connect to your engine and warm the engine coolant, keeping the oil warm and preventing freezing.
Use Kerosene-Blended Fuel
Consider using kerosene-blended fuel, which often combines #1 diesel and #2 diesel. Kerosene has a lower gelling point than diesel fuel, so it can help lower the freezing point of your fuel. However, keep in mind that kerosene may lead to reduced fuel mileage and efficiency.
Transition to #1 Diesel in Extreme Cold
In extremely cold temperatures, switch to #1 diesel fuel, which is free of paraffin wax and offers better operability during the coldest parts of winter. Do not make the switch suddenly; instead, gradually transition by blending #1 and #2 diesel when temperatures drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep Fuel Filters Clean
Ensure your fuel filters are clean and well-maintained. Clogged filters can restrict fuel flow and contribute to gelling issues. Regularly check and replace your filters to prevent gelling and maintain optimal engine performance.
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Coolant chemistry and colour
Coolant is a liquid mixture that helps carry heat away from the engine and prevents the engine from freezing during winter. It is also referred to as antifreeze, although antifreeze is technically just one component of coolant.
In the past, the colour of the coolant was determined by the type of chemicals used to prevent corrosion. For example, green indicated an ethylene glycol-based coolant, which is toxic, while pink indicated a propylene glycol-based coolant, which is nontoxic. These coolants, known as Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) coolants, needed to be replaced every year or two.
However, today, coolant colours are simply a marketing strategy and have little bearing on the chemical makeup of the product. Coolants now use Organic Acid Technology (OAT), which offers better protection for cooling systems and extends the life of the coolant. These "Extended Life Coolants" (ELC) are usually orange in colour and can last for several years.
It's important to note that mixing certain types of coolants can cause blockages and damage the cooling system. Therefore, when topping up your cooling system, it is recommended to check the manual to find out which type of coolant is recommended by the manufacturer. If you are unsure, you can use a universal coolant that is safe to mix with other fluids.
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Frequently asked questions
Antifreeze is used to lower the freezing point of diesel fuel and prevent gelling. However, if antifreeze is added to diesel fuel while the engine is running, it can cause the engine to stop, as in the case of a John Deere diesel tractor.
To resolve the issue, you must drain the remaining antifreeze from the fuel tank, change the fuel filters, drain the injector pump, and bleed your fuel system.
To prevent diesel gelling, ensure your truck fuel tank has a diesel anti-gel additive or add kerosene to your diesel fuel. Kerosene should be mixed at a ratio of 20% kerosene to 80% diesel fuel to prevent gelling and provide necessary lubrication.
Recommended diesel anti-gel additives include Lucas Oil 10013 Fuel Treatment, Howes 103060 Diesel Antifreeze and Conditioner, STA-BIL Diesel All Season Anti Gel, and REV X Distance+ Gold Diesel Treatment.
