I'm confident I have Gelled Fuel

[kbench]

I bought my BX2380 last summer and honestly didn’t think about winterizing it. I live in Wisconsin, and after seeing temps down to -30°F, I’m pretty sure the diesel fuel has gelled. The tractor has been sitting outside under an awning, with diesel in the tank, and I haven’t run it at all this winter.

How much damage could this have caused? I didn’t realize fuel gelling was an issue with diesel. This is my first diesel-powered machine, and I clearly should have asked about this sooner. If I can get it running again, I’ll definitely be using an additive next winter.

Once temperatures warm up in the spring, should it start and run normally?
Is there any maintenance I should do because it sat all winter with gelled fuel?
What diesel additives do you recommend to prevent this in the future?

I appreciate any advice — thanks in advance.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Gelled fuel doesn't cause any damage, it just won't run.
yep once it warms up you'll never know you had a problem.

Take your pick there are a ton of additives to limit or stop gelling.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Sounds like your tractor sits idle for long periods. Consider a biocide additive while you're at it. Bacteria can grow in diesel fuel with a small amount of water and cause clogs.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

@kbench Power service has this for “un-gelling” your fuel.

You are suppose to pull the filter and fill it half way with PS 911, and fresh fuel.

Lots of people have used it with success.

I have no affiliation with that company, but I have recently used it and it worked.

Lots of people like Howe’s treatment as well.

Pick your flavor I guess………..

 

[Seane1987]

If you are not using it till spring just leave it be, gelled fuel is only a problem when you try to flow it through a filter.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I'm also in Wisconsin, with a BX2370, and yes, I suspect gelling can be an issue at 15°F and below; when snow blowing below 10°F the engine would occasionally miss although anti-gel additive was used (likely mixed on the weak side due to prior fuel in the Kubota fuel tank). In Spring the same fuel ran fine, no missing, so I'm thinking it was the cold causing gelling.

I expected to be at the cabin far more this winter and have #1 Diesel for blending, but so far my being there hasn't happened due to my water well still being down.

Personally, if you want to start the tractor before spring you might want to throw a tarp over and a space-heater under and warm it up for several hours, then siphon the fuel tank and replace the #2 Diesel with something better suited for the cold. The fuel filters and lines will still have #2 in them so until that's used it might re-gel depending on the temperature once you pull the tarp off and run it.

 

[Blue2Orange]

Live up along the shores of L. Superior in Northern WI. "Banana Belt" from Lake effect warming. Ag Zone 5. But I have for the past quarter century used anti gell, cetane booster during the winter months. PowerService brand for what it's worth. Record low at the house set back in the '90s was -26F. A few -20'sF into the early '00s. No gelling.

If your tractor is sitting for extended time. Consider a battery maintainer. Starting a tractor with a marginal battery is hard on the battery. Assuming it starts. Not sure if true. Someone in the past told me having a significantly depleted battery can be hard on your alternator. In the past I occasionally check the battery with a load tester. Your battery may read +12V, but under load the voltage sag may drop that reading significantly . Hint to replace.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

There's been countless studies about how temperature affects 'lead acid ' batteries. They all LOSE power when cold. Even IF the engine has a block heater, the frigid battery may not have enough 'juice' to spin it over fast/long enough to get it started. If you're using or adding a block heater,spend a couple extra bucks and install a battery blanket..a warm battery is a happy battery.

 

[armylifer]

I use Power Service products because they work. For winter use the white bottle. Check out their other products too. I noticed that they have a new product called Diesel Flush. I intend to try that one soon. BTW, you can get these at Walmart.

Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost - Power Service

Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost from Power Service is loaded with cetane, detergent, and lubricity improver to provide peak diesel performance.

powerservice.com

 

[skeets]

OH I thought maybe he was all jelled up from the cold like me

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I treat all my fuel at the gas station in the Jerry can at fill up time. I use Hotshots EDC+winterizer (all in one very full up as I don’t really turnover much fuel annually.

1.5 weeks ago we had a deep freeze and heavy snowstorm here. Anyway, while refueling (I use an electric transfer pump wand) from the Jerry can, my transfer pump froze. I figured cheap finally crapped out.

so I grabbed my handy dandy Mr. Funnel for the virgin use…and as the fuel spriraled around the filter in center of funnel I saw what looked like snow flakes in the fuel as it filled the funnel and eventually clogged the filter in the center of funnel.

really not sure what to think about that. It was absolutely - temps, but in I treated the fuel. I believe I witnessed was fuel starting to gel but I don’t know as I have never witnessed that. (I did not see it in the fuel as poured but as circling around in saw in the funnel). Or so I think. Seasoned pros coach me up here.

I wonder did pouring expose enough cold air to fuel that began to freeze the moisture in the fuel maybe…but I don’t know. The tractor ran fine (but filter in the funnel did clog).

my plan is that come warmer weather I will clean/flush fuel filter….seasoned pros, again I ask coach me up. (I don’t think I need to add anything to fuel as I already did, a tractor runs so not sure I need any gel special sauce yet, but I don’t really know that either.).

Coach me up.

 

[armylifer]

It was definitely gelled fuel. The additive you used was not entirely effective as an anti-gel. Try using Power Service next time. It works. I used it in -30 degree weather and never had a problem. Use the white bottle in winter and follow the directions. As for your gelled fuel, no need to dump it. Just wait for warmer weather and it will be fine.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Coach me up.

We can protect our fuel from gelling with an anti gel additive or seasonally appropriate fuel

We can protect our fuel from water by adding a demulsifer which breaks down water in fuel so filters or drain valves can make their work

Biocides to help solve mould, fungus and bacteria problems

Emulsifiers which help mix water and fuel to flush through injectors. Different from demulsifier

And if you be already bunged up with gelled fuel an emergancy treatment like 911 antigel can sometimes work on that one issue

Four different products for four different problems.



Cheers

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Thanks @MapleLeafFarmer and @armylifer ….so far machine has started and ran fine. I was sort of surprised though as I treat fuel year around…and if I got a bad batch it f supplement, couldn’t that happen with the white bottle as well? (I’ve used that previously but last few years it ve been supplementing with hotshots.)

 

[McMXi]

I treat all my fuel at the gas station in the Jerry can at fill up time. I use Hotshots EDC+winterizer (all in one very full up as I don’t really turnover much fuel annually.

1.5 weeks ago we had a deep freeze and heavy snowstorm here. Anyway, while refueling (I use an electric transfer pump wand) from the Jerry can, my transfer pump froze. I figured cheap finally crapped out.

so I grabbed my handy dandy Mr. Funnel for the virgin use…and as the fuel spriraled around the filter in center of funnel I saw what looked like snow flakes in the fuel as it filled the funnel and eventually clogged the filter in the center of funnel.

really not sure what to think about that. It was absolutely - temps, but in I treated the fuel. I believe I witnessed was fuel starting to gel but I don’t know as I have never witnessed that. (I did not see it in the fuel as poured but as circling around in saw in the funnel). Or so I think. Seasoned pros coach me up here.

I wonder did pouring expose enough cold air to fuel that began to freeze the moisture in the fuel maybe…but I don’t know. The tractor ran fine (but filter in the funnel did clog).

my plan is that come warmer weather I will clean/flush fuel filter….seasoned pros, again I ask coach me up. (I don’t think I need to add anything to fuel as I already did, a tractor runs so not sure I need any gel special sauce yet, but I don’t really know that either.).

Coach me up.

You could have had some water in the fuel forming ice crystals. Also, as an aside, many of the fuel additives warn against storing the product below a certain temperature i.e. don't leave it in your vehicle. They have to be mixed with diesel to work, and as ironic as it seems, they will gel at temperatures much higher than the lowest protection temperature once mixed.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

You could have had some water in the fuel forming ice crystals. Also, as an aside, many of the fuel additives warn against storing the product below a certain temperature i.e. don't leave it in your vehicle. They have to be mixed with diesel to work, and as ironic as it seems, they will gel at temperatures much higher than the lowest protection temperature once mixed.

Thanks. My procedure is add the supplement to empty can, fill with fuel, bring home and set can in the barn.

what I know as I was pour into the funnel, I had my hands full with a tractor deck covered in snow and I am making love to the Jerry can and funny trying not to make a mess while we were getting 1.5” of snow an hour….down in the funnel it looked like a snow globe tha had been shaken. However what I thought strange was the liquid I was pouring seemed to not have the Chrystals? (I had no way to get a pic…I was as busy as a three legged cat trying to burry a turd on a frozen pond) I have no good way to replicate or duplicate anything to sure.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

You could have had some water in the fuel forming ice crystals. Also, as an aside, many of the fuel additives warn against storing the product below a certain temperature i.e. don't leave it in your vehicle. They have to be mixed with diesel to work, and as ironic as it seems, they will gel at temperatures much higher than the lowest protection temperature once mixed.

I don't have the experience with the extreme cold you guys do, but that sounds like ice crystals to me. Doesn't the PS 911 have some alcohol in it? I think I'd add a little, maybe not a full dose, in this case. OP has demonstrated why final filtration is helpful.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Sounds like it's time for a few glass jars and a ProjectFarm type experiment!

 

[Shawn T. W]

Most of the anti-gels have a different mix ratio depending on temperature ... Usually double the dose if below 0 ...

Here is a picture of HotShots Winter Defense, and Power Service 911 ... Mix anti-gel when both that and diesel is above 32°F ... Use the 911 if your engine doesn't start, as it is not an anti-gel prevention solution.