Diesel anti-gel additive

[patperry2766]

Live in N Texas and haven't had a problem, until this past winter.

With our "freezeageddon" this year, and no personal knowledge of the best additive, looking for suggestions from the northern climate truck owners.

All the anti-gel sold out here locally during the freeze, and I don't believe that they put anti-gel in the fuel here (I could be wrong), so I want to pick up something now and be prepared.

[Grit_dog]

patperry2766 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Power service is what most people /industry use.
What temp did your diesel gel?
I wondered about that in Dallas when it was below zero.

Tried starting it when it was about 5 deg. Nope,Nada. Just let it sit for a couple of days till it got above 25 deg and it fired up.

ALL the shelves were bare EVERYWHERE.

I bet! We were down there during the snowmageddon/arctic freeze. It was absolutely crippling to the entire dfw area for sure. We ended up just hijacking the rental car and driving through the next blizzard headed towards TX, to Albuquerque so we could get a flight out.

Straight #2 starts gelling up in the mid teens. It’s possible the fuel in your area is treated a little or not at all. Simple enough to ask around. Ask a couple of the local oil and fuel suppliers what they do.
I’ve only seen mass fuel gelling once, and it was in Denver of all places. Got to about -30F for a couple nights and according to the news channels the local suppliers had been dosing to about -10F.

[patperry2766]

Grit dog wrote:
Power service is what most people /industry use.
What temp did your diesel gel?
I wondered about that in Dallas when it was below zero.

Tried starting it when it was about 5 deg. Nope,Nada. Just let it sit for a couple of days till it got above 25 deg and it fired up.

ALL the shelves were bare EVERYWHERE.

[patperry2766]

JIMNLIN wrote:

patperry2766 wrote:

larry cad wrote:
FWIW, Amazon has several products available in stock.

Yes they do, and that's why I looking for suggestions so I can get something ordered and hopefully not have to use it

I'm surprised the "its snake oil" blabber hasn't been throw at you which is usually what happens when the word fuel "additive " is used.

I've had a south TX fuel gell after getting back home in NE OK with single digit temps up here. Pushed the Dodge in the heated garage. About 3 hours later went out and it fired right up. Dumped my usual Power Service amount in the tank and drove around the section.
I use mostly Howes and Power Service as its available every where around here. I like the seat of the pants performance it gives the old 5.9 HO Cummins.

I wouldn't depend on the jug lasting several years. And it won't hurt to use the all jug one winter and order fresh jugs the next winter.

Had to put two hairdryers under the hood for about 4 hours. Luckily, that was before we lost power for 2 1/2 days

[patperry2766]

At what temps is it advisable to add it?

All the packaging says 30F or below. Is that legit or the companies just trying to sell more product?

[JIMNLIN]

patperry2766 wrote:

larry cad wrote:
FWIW, Amazon has several products available in stock.

Yes they do, and that's why I looking for suggestions so I can get something ordered and hopefully not have to use it

I'm surprised the "its snake oil" blabber hasn't been throw at you which is usually what happens when the word fuel "additive " is used.

I've had a south TX fuel gell after getting back home in NE OK with single digit temps up here. Pushed the Dodge in the heated garage. About 3 hours later went out and it fired right up. Dumped my usual Power Service amount in the tank and drove around the section.
I use mostly Howes and Power Service as its available every where around here. I like the seat of the pants performance it gives the old 5.9 HO Cummins.

I wouldn't depend on the jug lasting several years. And it won't hurt to use the all jug one winter and order fresh jugs the next winter.

[patperry2766]

larry cad wrote:
FWIW, Amazon has several products available in stock.

Yes they do, and that's why I looking for suggestions so I can get something ordered and hopefully not have to use it

[larry_cad]

FWIW, Amazon has several products available in stock.

[blt2ski]

One thing to do with fuel conditioners, be it for gas or diesel. Don't put it in with a full tank, then walk away! Turn the motor on for 5-10 min, so the conditioner gets into ALL the fuel lines, filters etc otherwise you're really not helping you potential problem
With this said, I've had good luck with products by Bell industries for the diesels I've owned and own now. Gas Sta-Bil has worked well, both std red, and marine dk blue version.

Marty

[dieseltruckdriv]

ford truck guy wrote:
I use this when its down right COLD - Power Diesel Fuel Supplement

Used it in all of my BIG Rigs back in the day and it works.

Same here. I have used it for about 35 years, even when I hauled fuel. That is what many places use to treat their bulk fuel.

I don't gel, but I don't trust anyone else blending my fuel either. I do carry Power Service 911 just in case, and have used it when I had to take a truck that wasn't used much and was filled with straight untreated #2 fuel. It worked, but like was said, you also have to treat the filter.

I have never used Howes, but I have also never seen anyone sitting along side the road in below zero F weather that did use it.

[patperry2766]

ACZL wrote:
Howes Diesel Treat Anti-gel, Hot Shot Secret Anti-Gel are the 2 I use here in CNY even tho the fuel is treated at place of purchase. I don't take any chances. In case you do gel up, 911 or Melt Down. Never have use the Melt Down, but that's what our shop gave us too use along w/ Diesel Thaw as a Anti-Gel (never used that one either). What ever brand you go with, watch your ratios.

One thing to remember as well is that if a gel up product is used, it may not get to the filter where it's actually gelled up, so you'll end up having to replace the filter(s). So some would say "What's the sense in using it then?" which is true, but it will treat any fuel in tank to prevent it from gelling up in filter(s). Again, watch your ratios.

We only had about a week of really cold Texas weather. Never had any problems into the 20's, but we hovered around -0- for about 3 days and my truck wouldn't start till it warmed up

[patperry2766]

tomman58 wrote:
I never have used anything in my truck for 25 years in Michigan, no problems ever. 1also would travel across the country in early winter no problem.
Solved any potential problem years ago by spending winter in Florida . lol

I almost confident that they put additives in the cold weather states like you're referencing. Here in Texas...not so much

[tomman58]

I never have used anything in my truck for 25 years in Michigan, no problems ever. 1also would travel across the country in early winter no problem.
Solved any potential problem years ago by spending winter in Florida . lol

[ACZL]

Howes Diesel Treat Anti-gel, Hot Shot Secret Anti-Gel are the 2 I use here in CNY even tho the fuel is treated at place of purchase. I don't take any chances. In case you do gel up, 911 or Melt Down. Never have use the Melt Down, but that's what our shop gave us too use along w/ Diesel Thaw as a Anti-Gel (never used that one either). What ever brand you go with, watch your ratios.

One thing to remember as well is that if a gel up product is used, it may not get to the filter where it's actually gelled up, so you'll end up having to replace the filter(s). So some would say "What's the sense in using it then?" which is true, but it will treat any fuel in tank to prevent it from gelling up in filter(s). Again, watch your ratios.

[Grit_dog]

Power service is what most people /industry use.
What temp did your diesel gel?
I wondered about that in Dallas when it was below zero.