Cloudy diesel?

[dlundblad]

This was in my Kubota L2501. First topped off by the dealer back in November with what I would hope winter diesel and I've added 5 gallons (also assuming winter diesel) myself a few weeks ago. Bought off road diesel from a high traffic farm country station. 10 gallon tank in the tractor.

15*F startup the other day and ran it for an hour plowing the driveway. The fuel tank is located right above the engine so it looks like it thawed it out. Had it out in -10*F or so weather last week and didn't even think to look at the fuel filter. The tractor ran fine both times. Never had diesel gel on me before, but it's my understanding that the engine just doesn't run.

I don't use fuel additives. Power Service, 911, Heet etc.

 

[bullwinkle]

Flakes of wax start forming & float around in the fuel, eventually clogging the filter if there's enough of them, or the warm fuel which returns to the tank can start dissolving them again if you're lucky. This is why a lot of diesels have heated fuel filters, to try to stop them from getting plugged,

 

[krismoriah72]

Take a look at this.

https://www.todaystrucking.com/wp-c...es/SolvingWinterDieselProblems91-1R2.pdf

 

[Boomer]

The Passat TDI in my signature ALWAYS gets Power Service White Bottle added to the diesel fuel every fillup from November 1 to April 1. Never had an issue, even on long trips in very cold weater down to below zero temps. You really should use this in your fuel.

 

[Audios]

Its beginning to waxup, which I though occurs around 22-25 degrees. Usually the return line will warm the fuel up a bit and reduce the waxing. An additive will help in this situation.

 

[BrianF]

I would treat that fuel. I have heard a lot of farmers/ranchers/acreage owners with this particular problem. They bulk buy fuel and depending on the season, they can get summer blend fuel and hang onto it for quite a long time. They fill up their little CUT, which is used a handful of times per year and has a low fuel turnover. Maybe even parked in a heated shop. No issues until it is outside pushing snow and then the fuel gels.

 

[Donald]

If have a thread on my Ford PSD and cold weather issues under general automotive topics.

With diesel there is a cloud point and a CFPP (cold filter plug point). They can be 20 degrees apart.

I would not assume off road diesel is treated to be winter diesel. Normal diesel bought in the winter in the north should be winter diesel. It can vary a little week to week. The fuel stations want to make sure the fuel will flow through their own pump filters.

Fuel bought in November may or may not be properly treated. While fuel being added to a station's tanks is probably treated there could be some already in the tank that is not winter treated fuel.

 

[MNgopher]

To be blunt, you are in exactly the scenario where you need to use an additive. You've likely got a decent chunk of diesel from November in the tank. In Minnesota, at one retailer as an example, they only treat to -10 starting around October 15, then dropping to -20 on December 1, -30 on December 15th through March 1. That is for Minnesota (northern MInnesota starts earlier and goes colder), so I am perfectly willing to speculate that the Diesel you got in Indiana in November was likely not rated for all that cold.

Equipment that sits with Diesel in the tank where it doesn't get used quickly should be treated to deal with scenarios as you've described,

 

[dave123]

^^^^ Have to agree with above statements you need to be using a additive and also be adding a Biocide of some sort such as PS Bio Kleen.