For all the members in the northern states I would like to alert you to the fact we have cold weather coming so be aware and get you winter supplies together for your diesel fuel and be ready for cold temperatures. I'm forecast to be as low as 14*F above.

4 days running straight #2 and a product called Lucas anti-gel and water displacement. So far, so good. Low temps of 0, highs in the upper teens to upper 20's.

This is in a tractor, running WOT for many hours going down the highway. (easiest time for gelling: high fuel flow, and light engine loads- not much heat)

Also, there is NO 'underhood' help for engine heat. My filters are hangin out in the wind.

Possible to start a tread with " what's workin for ya" in the world of fuel additives/blends/recipes?

Come Monday morning, we are supposed to be looking at a 10 below, and if this stuff works, I'm never going to buy a PS product again!

By the time 'real winter' hits, and we are looking at 10 below for a 'high'... I'll have my blended fuel then. 50/50 #1, #2

Might be good to insulate the fuel lines with the smaller pipe insulation. I would try to get some insulation around the filters too. It might help. I use the foam pads they use for sleeping on the ground . Cut a pieces to fold over the bottom and go up around the sides and zip tie it.

 

You can get real creative with that stuff for rv doors and many other areas.

Edited November 16, 201410 yr by JAG1

Like with the new fuel line I ran mine inside the frame tube to get as much as possible out of the cold wind. The rest of the line I kept high against the body away from the wind and possibly capture warm when sitting still.

http://www.arctic-fox.com/images/products/Hotline_Photo_250_x_350.jpgOutfit out of Minnesota. Maybe Mntom knows of them?

I'm considering this ^^^^^

I emailed them for some more info. ( tube size, and how it's finished: size of AN fittings)

They also have tank heaters (coolant loop) cartridge type inline (coolant and electric). These are 4.5 foot long, and would 'fit' pretty easily between the tank and my FASS

When fitted with the optional thermostat, fuel is only heated to 80 degrees.

The ` $450 Is kinda high, but I'd sure think it'd eliminate some of my 'problems'.

Why do you guys have so many gelling problems? We've never had fuel gel up in our tractors and only once in my ram and once in a Freightliner on the farm.

I would try some clever insulation practices. You might get some great and crazy ideas on that.

One thing to consider, Going to those plumbing contractors supply houses are far better than Home Depot for small pipe insulation. Keller supply, for example, sells the real thick stuff. Makes the HD or the Ace hardware stuff look like it's fake by comparison. It comes various sizes, some for large pipe, big enough to make a 'cupholder' type covers for the filters.

For the money.... $450 is kind' high, I would try isulating first anyway.

No one can tell but, this winter might be a real puncher.

Edited November 16, 201410 yr by JAG1

Why do you guys have so many gelling problems? We've never had fuel gel up in our tractors and only once in my ram and once in a Freightliner on the farm.

Probably because you guys up north do a better job of refining..........

i';m thinking either

 

http://organicmechanic.com/electric-fuel-heater/

 

or maybe

 

http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/fuelfilterheater.php

 

i'm also thinking of building a bypass for my 2 mic filter. so i can take it out of the loop and just rely on the stock one for winter.

90 bucks for a heater? And the only ones that would work are the 120 volt. I think heat tape would do the same thing for way cheaper

so your saying the 12V ones wont work? i want to be able to keep it warm while driving down the road.?

Edited November 16, 201410 yr by Killer223

Technically there should be enough heat from the return fuel to keep the tank fuel warm after awhile. Now it can be so cold that the cold could counteract the heating of the fuel. This is where a 12v fuel heater would work.

the heaters already in our filter heads.. I got a feeling they are just about good enough to maintain engine idling.. but not much more. (if they are still working!)