Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel contains wax, which can cause the fuel to gel and block filters. This usually happens when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it becomes more likely when the temperature falls to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This process is known as diesel gelling, and it can cause vehicles or equipment to shut down entirely. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent diesel gelling, such as using anti-gel supplements or switching to a different type of diesel fuel that doesn't contain wax. Understanding the temperature at which diesel fuel gels is crucial for vehicle owners, especially during the colder months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature at which diesel begins to freeze | 32°F |
| Temperature at which diesel becomes gel-like | 14°F-15°F or -9.5°C |
| Temperature at which diesel gelling occurs | Below 10°F or -12°C |
| Temperature at which to start using an anti-gel | 32°F |
| Type of diesel that doesn't gel | No. 1 fuel diesel |
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What You'll Learn
- Diesel gelling occurs at very cold temperatures, below 10°F (-12°C)
- No. 2 fuel diesel contains paraffin wax, which crystallises at 14-15°F
- Anti-gel supplements can prevent gelling at temperatures below 10°F
- Ultra-low sulphur diesel has decreased lubricity, exacerbating winter issues
- Diesel engines are five times harder to start at 0°F (-17°C)
Diesel gelling occurs at very cold temperatures, below 10°F (-12°C)
Diesel fuel contains wax, which can cause the fuel to gel and block filters. This wax is a naturally occurring substance called paraffin wax. Diesel gelling occurs when the paraffin wax crystalizes, causing the fuel to solidify so completely that it can no longer flow. This typically happens when temperatures drop below 32°Fahrenheit (0°Celsius), but it is most common when the temperature hits 15°Fahrenheit (-9.5°Celsius).
However, diesel gelling only occurs at very cold temperatures, below 10°F (-12°C). If you are experiencing issues at temperatures above 10° to 15°F (-12° to -9°C), you are likely dealing with an ice issue rather than a gelling issue.
To prevent diesel gelling, you can use an anti-gel fuel supplement, which lowers the freezing point of diesel fuel. Anti-gel additives will not damage your engine and can be added before or after you add fuel. Additionally, switching from No. 2 fuel diesel to No. 1 fuel diesel is an option, as No. 1 fuel diesel does not have paraffin wax and therefore does not gel at any temperature.
Diesel gelling can be a huge problem for owners and operators of diesel equipment, as their equipment may not run or may run ineffectively, potentially stopping in the middle of a job. This issue has become more prevalent and extreme in recent years due to changes in the fuel composition.
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No. 2 fuel diesel contains paraffin wax, which crystallises at 14-15°F
Diesel fuel begins to freeze at a higher temperature than gasoline. Typically, this can happen anytime the temperature drops below 32°F, but it most often occurs at 15°F. This diesel gelling process makes it impossible to pump the fuel through the tanks and can shut down vehicles or equipment.
No. 2 fuel diesel, which is the type used in most vehicles, contains a naturally occurring substance called paraffin wax. During warm temperatures (above 32°F), paraffin wax stays liquid and flows freely through the fuel filters in vehicles. However, at temperatures of 14-15°F, the wax completely crystallizes, clogging the filter and stopping any fuel from passing through the tank. This instance is known as the Cloud Filter Plugging Point (CFPP). When temperatures cause the diesel to hit CFPP, your vehicle or equipment will not run, and fuel operations will cease.
Paraffin wax is beneficial to diesel fuel in mild to high temperatures, as it helps the engine generate more power and efficiency. However, in lower temperatures, the wax crystallizes and thickens the fuel. If the temperature drops too low, the flow of fuel will slow down and could eventually plug the fuel lines and filter, causing the engine to be robbed of fuel.
To prevent diesel gelling, it is recommended to switch from No. 2 fuel diesel to No. 1 fuel diesel, which does not contain paraffin wax and therefore does not gel at any temperature. While No. 1 diesel fuel may cost slightly more, it can ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly during winter. Additionally, keeping your vehicle warm in a climate-controlled garage can help prevent diesel gelling.
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Anti-gel supplements can prevent gelling at temperatures below 10°F
Diesel fuel contains wax, which crystallises in cold temperatures, causing gelling. This can result in clogged fuel filters, reduced engine power, and even complete engine shutdown. Typically, this happens when temperatures drop below 32°Fahrenheit (0°Celsius), but it most often occurs at 15°Fahrenheit (-9°Celsius).
To prevent this, anti-gel supplements can be added to diesel fuel. These supplements lower the freezing point of diesel, making it less likely to gel in cold temperatures. They do this by lowering the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP), which is the lowest temperature at which fuel will flow through a specific filter.
The use of anti-gel supplements is particularly important for those living in areas with consistently freezing temperatures. In these cases, keeping vehicles stored in climate-controlled garages is not always an option, and anti-gel supplements become necessary to prevent gelling.
Anti-gel supplements are easy to use; they are simply added to the fuel tank. It is recommended to start using anti-gel as soon as temperatures approach freezing, and to increase the amount of additive as temperatures drop further. This proactive approach ensures that diesel engines can continue to operate smoothly even in extremely cold conditions.
Some popular anti-gel additives include STA-BIL Diesel All Season Anti Gel, which provides protection down to -40°Fahrenheit (-40°Celsius), and REV X Distance+ Gold Diesel Treatment, which is effective at -25°Fahrenheit (-31°Celsius). Diesel anti-gel additives are a cost-effective way to maintain fuel consistency and performance during the winter months.
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Ultra-low sulphur diesel has decreased lubricity, exacerbating winter issues
Diesel fuel typically begins to freeze when temperatures drop below 32°Fahrenheit (0°Celsius), and it often gels when the temperature hits 15°Fahrenheit (-9°Celsius). This process, known as diesel gelling, can cause fuel operations to cease entirely. While diesel gelling has long been a problem for diesel engines in winter, changes to the fuel itself have exacerbated these issues in recent years.
The transition to ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) has been driven by environmental regulations mandating a reduction in fuel sulphur content to decrease harmful emissions. While ULSD has successfully reduced emissions of sulphur oxides, it has also resulted in decreased lubricity due to the removal of sulphur, which historically provided natural lubrication for engine components.
The loss of lubricity in ULSD can lead to increased engine wear and tear. Sulphur is removed from diesel fuel through the hydro-processing or hydrodesulfurization (HDS) chemical process, which replaces sulphur with hydrogen to create a cleaner-burning fuel. However, hydrogen also reacts with other fuel components, removing the polar and aromatic compounds that provide conventional diesel fuel with adequate lubricating capability.
The decrease in lubricity caused by the removal of sulphur, nitrogen, and oxygen-based polar trace compounds during the HDS process has significant implications for engine performance and longevity. Adequate lubricity is essential to reducing friction and preventing excessive wear on critical engine components such as fuel injectors and pumps. The loss of lubricity can lead to higher fuel consumption, increased emissions, and even potential engine failure.
To address the lubricity challenges posed by ULSD, various additives have been explored. Research has shown that fatty acid methyl esters derived from biofuels can effectively improve the lubricating properties of ULSD, reducing wear and friction in engine components. Biodiesel blends of up to 20% with diesel fuel can enhance lubrication and reduce friction, providing a suitable option for effective engine lubrication systems. Additionally, winter-specific diesel fuel additives can help mitigate issues related to fuel gelling and filter icing during the colder months.
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Diesel engines are five times harder to start at 0°F (-17°C)
Diesel engines are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures. Diesel fuel contains wax, which can cause the fuel to gel and block filters. This wax is a naturally occurring substance called paraffin wax. At temperatures of 32°F (0°C), paraffin wax begins to stiffen, and the fuel tank becomes clouded. While this doesn't prevent a vehicle from running, it is a warning sign that the diesel is close to freezing. Diesel fuel typically freezes when temperatures drop below 32°F (0°C), and this can cause significant issues for diesel engines.
At 15°F (-9.5°C), diesel fuel will turn to gel, and it will be very difficult to start a diesel engine. At this temperature, the paraffin wax has completely crystalized, clogging the filter and preventing fuel from passing through the tank. This is known as the Cloud Filter Plugging Point (CFPP). Below 10°F (-12°C), diesel fuel can solidify completely, and it will no longer be able to flow.
As a result of these issues, diesel engines are five times harder to start at 0°F (-17°C). Diesel engines rely on high temperatures created by compression to ignite the injected fuel. When temperatures are this low, the wax in the diesel solidifies, making it difficult for the engine to run smoothly.
There are ways to prevent diesel gelling in cold temperatures. One option is to switch from No. 2 fuel diesel to No. 1 fuel diesel, which does not contain paraffin wax and therefore does not gel at any temperature. Anti-gel fuel supplements can also be added to diesel fuel to lower its freezing point. These supplements can be added before or after fuelling and help to ensure that the engine runs smoothly during winter.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel begins to freeze at 32°F, but it is at 15°F that it becomes gel-like and unable to pass through the fuel filter.
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which freezes at lower temperatures and blocks the fuel filter.
Anti-gel supplements can be added to diesel fuel to lower its freezing point. You can also switch to No. 1 diesel fuel, which does not contain paraffin wax and therefore does not gel at any temperature.
If diesel fuel freezes, it will be unable to pass through the fuel filter, causing the vehicle or equipment to stop working. You can use a product like Power Service Diesel 911 to re-liquefy gelled fuel and de-ice filters and frozen fuel lines.
