Katerina Swanson
Diesel fuel tends to thicken or gel in cold temperatures, which can cause significant issues for your vehicle. This is because the paraffin wax in diesel thickens and crystallizes in cold weather, causing the fuel to take on a cloudy appearance. This can hinder the engine's operations and impact your vehicle's ability to start. To prevent this, diesel fuel additives can be used, such as anti-gel treatments, which reduce fuel line freeze-ups and prevent clumps from forming. Kerosene is also often used to prevent diesel fuel gelling, as well as changing to a No. 1 diesel, which is free of paraffin wax.
What to put in diesel fuel in winter
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Additives | Cold Flow Improver (CFI), Hot Shots Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, Hot Shots EDT+ Winter Defense, Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, Kleen Flo Diesel Conditioner, Power Service Diesel Additive, Red Bottle 911 Rescue, Howes Diesel Treat, Howes Diesel Kleen, Amsoil Cold Flow, Amsoil Injector Cleaner+ Octane Boost |
| Kerosene | Kerosene can be added to diesel fuel to prevent gelling |
| Fuel Blend | In winter, No. 2 diesel can be blended with No. 1 diesel, which is free of paraffin wax |
| Fuel Type | Premium diesel fuels such as Cenex ROADMASTER XL® SEASONALLY ENHANCED or RUBY FIELDMASTER® SEASONALLY ENHANCED are enhanced with a CFI and an additive package. Cenex WINTERMASTER® is a winterized premium diesel fuel formulated for cold temperatures |
| Fuel Filter | It is important to regularly check and empty the fuel/water separator. It is also recommended to change the fuel filter before winter |
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What You'll Learn
Additives to prevent gelling
Diesel fuel gelling occurs when the fuel thickens or gels in cold temperatures, hindering the engine's operations and impacting the vehicle's ability to start. This happens when the temperature falls below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent this, you can use anti-gelling additives, which lower the pour and gel points, allowing the engine to perform better at lower temperatures.
There are various anti-gelling additives available on the market, such as Hot Shot's Secret's EDT+ Winter Defense and Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, which are designed to reduce fuel line freeze-ups and prevent fuel system blockages. These additives can be purchased and poured directly into the fuel tank, as instructed on the bottle. It is important to choose an additive that improves your fuel's water dispersion, lubricity, and cetane.
Another option is to use kerosene, which has a lower gelling point than diesel fuel. You can mix kerosene with diesel fuel to lower the freezing point. However, kerosene may have disadvantages such as reduced fuel mileage and efficiency. It is also important to ensure that the kerosene has enough time to properly combine with the diesel fuel, which may take some time for larger vehicles.
In addition to additives, it is recommended to start the winter with a fresh fuel filter and ensure that the water separator is empty. Regular maintenance and knowing the lowest temperature your engine can operate at are also crucial to preventing diesel fuel gelling.
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Kerosene
However, it is important to note that times have changed, and the chemical and physical makeup of diesel fuel and kerosene has evolved. As a result, blending kerosene with diesel fuel is considered outdated by some, as it may lead to a decrease in fuel economy and fuel efficiency. Kerosene has a lower British Thermal Unit (BTU) value, meaning it contains less energy than diesel fuel. Therefore, more fuel is required to produce the same amount of work when kerosene is blended with diesel.
Despite this, some people still choose to use kerosene to winterize their diesel fuel. A common blend is a one-to-four ratio of kerosene to diesel, although some people use higher ratios of kerosene in subzero temperatures. It is recommended to use a fuel additive with kerosene to enhance its effectiveness in winterizing diesel fuel. For example, Hot Shot's Secret offers fuel additives such as EDT+ Winter Defense and Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, which can prevent fuel line freeze-ups down to -40 °F.
It is essential to consult with engine manufacturers when choosing fuel treatments, as some additives can cause damage to high-pressure common rail injection systems. Additionally, it is crucial to prioritize diesel winterization to ensure vehicles can operate reliably during the cold season. This includes using fresh diesel fuel, as diesel can start to separate and clog filters over time, and regularly checking and emptying the fuel/water separator to prevent water from freezing and cracking the separator.
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Fuel separator checks
Fuel separators are an essential component of fuel filters, which all diesel engines are equipped with. Before the winter, it is crucial to empty the water separator in the fuel filter to prevent damage to the filter. Water in the separator can freeze, increasing the risk of cracking and damaging the filter. Modern vehicles may have sensors that detect excess water, but for those without this feature, manually emptying the water separator is necessary. This task is especially important before winter as the water can freeze and cause serious engine issues.
Checking and maintaining the fuel separator is a critical aspect of winter diesel engine care. In addition to emptying the water separator, it is advisable to replace the fuel filter before winter. A new filter is more effective at stopping contaminants and separating water. By doing so, you can reduce the chances of filter plugging, which is a common issue in cold weather.
The water separator plays a crucial role in removing moisture from the fuel, providing a cleaner burn and reducing engine problems. This is particularly important in winter, as water in the fuel can freeze and block fuel lines, leading to significant engine issues. Regularly checking and maintaining the water separator can help prevent engine issues and ensure a steady flow of fuel to the engine.
To summarise, it is essential to empty the water separator before winter to prevent freezing and potential damage to the filter. Replacing the fuel filter is also advisable, as it can help prevent filter plugging and improve the overall performance of the engine. Regular maintenance of the water separator and fuel filter is key to keeping your diesel engine in optimal condition during the cold winter months.
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Cold flow improvers
The wax dispersant property of a cold flow improver is its most important feature. It dissolves the bonds in the paraffin wax, breaking up larger crystals into smaller parts, and allowing the wax to pass smoothly through the filter. This prevents the fuel filter from clogging and ensures the fuel supply to the engine is not cut off.
Innospec's CFI additives, for example, reduce the cloud point, pour point, and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of diesel fuel. The cloud point is the temperature at which wax crystals are first visible, the pour point is the lowest temperature at which the fuel will flow, and the CFPP is an indication of the vehicle's low-temperature operability.
If temperatures continue to drop, it is recommended to replace your No. 2 diesel with No. 1 diesel, which is free of paraffin wax and offers better operability during the coldest parts of winter.
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Winter diesel fuel
Diesel engines can be temperamental in winter, and diesel fuel gelling is a common issue in colder climates. Gelling occurs when the fuel thickens or 'gels' in cold temperatures, hindering the engine's operation and impacting its ability to start. This can be managed with heat, kerosene, and fuel additives.
Kerosene is a traditional method of preventing gelling, and some sources recommend a blend of 70% diesel and 30% kerosene for winter. However, it can be difficult to source kerosene, and it may not be a practical solution for everyone.
Fuel additives are another option to prevent gelling. Additives provide temperature coverage to prevent wax thickening and improve water dispersion, lubricity, and cetane. Examples of additives include Hot Shot's Secret EDT+ Winter Defense and Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, which reduce fuel line freeze-ups down to -40°F. Other recommended additives include Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement, Howes Diesel Treat, and Amsoil Cold Flow.
In addition to additives, it is important to use winterized diesel fuel and change the fuel filter regularly. It is also recommended to start the winter with a fresh fuel filter and ensure that the water separator is empty.
Finally, some sources suggest that in very cold temperatures, it is best to use No. 1 diesel, which is free of paraffin wax and offers better operability during the coldest parts of winter.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel gelling occurs when the fuel thickens or ‘gels’ in cold temperatures, hindering the engine’s operations and impacting the vehicle’s ability to start.
There are a few signs that indicate diesel fuel gelling: loss of power and compression, a cloudy fuel appearance, white smoke from the exhaust, and the engine stopping while idling.
Diesel fuel gelling can be prevented by keeping the fuel warm or changing its properties to withstand colder temperatures. This can be done using heat, kerosene, or fuel additives like Hot Shot’s Secret’s EDT+ Winter Defense.
Common fuel additives used to prevent diesel fuel gelling include Hot Shots Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, Howes Diesel Treat, and Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement.
In addition to using fuel additives, it is recommended to start the winter with a fresh fuel filter and ensure that the fuel/water separator is empty to prevent water from freezing and causing issues.
