How Do I Prevent Diesel Fuel Gelling in Cold Weather?
Helpful tips from W.H. Riley & Son
Those of us who live and work here in southeastern Massachusetts know how cold it can get once winter hits. The frigid temperatures can bring along all sorts of challenges, including challenges to your diesel-powered engine.
Cold weather puts a tractor, truck or generator that runs on diesel fuel at risk. This specific type of fuel can gel. While this is certainly less than ideal, the good news is that it can be prevented.
Knowing why diesel fuel gels in the first place and what steps you can take to prevent it can help save you money and time. Additionally, this will set you up for success for the winter season.
Why Does Diesel Fuel Gel in the First Place?
Diesel fuel gels when temperatures drop below the fuel’s cloud point. This naturally happens since diesel fuel is made with paraffin wax, which helps with both fuel viscosity and lubrication.
This paraffin wax becomes insoluble and turns into a substance that looks like tiny crystals as it gets colder and colder. With back-to-back cold days, paraffin wax makes diesel fuel thicken and turn into a gel-like substance, hence the term diesel fuel gelling.
What You Can Do to Prevent Diesel Fuel Gelling
No one wants to deal with their diesel fuel gelling. It is a true headache and hassle. Following the tips below can help prevent your diesel fuel from gelling and keep your diesel engines up and running all winter long:
- Add kerosene to your fuel: Mixing a little kerosene into your diesel fuel decreases what is called the plug point temperature, the point at which the crystals in the paraffin wax start to solidify and cause potential blocked fuel filters. Kerosene essentially acts as a layer of protection against this solidification process.
- Protect your diesel fuel-powered equipment by storing it properly: A vehicle or piece of equipment that has a diesel-powered engine should be kept and stored in a heated garage, warm facility or a similar climate-controlled environment.
- Use an additive: Adding an additive to your diesel fuel helps prevent the paraffin wax from turning into a gel-like substance. Additionally, additives cut back on the number of harmful deposits that are in a vehicle’s fuel injectors, and they help with cold engine starts.
- Mix #1 and #2 diesel fuels: Since #1 diesel fuel doesn’t contain paraffin wax, mixing it with #2 diesel fuel automatically decreases the chances of your fuel gelling.
- Fill your engines with a diesel fuel that is winterized: If you have the option, choose a winterized diesel fuel. These fuels already have the additives that are needed to help prevent gelling.
Get Your Diesel Fuel from W.H. Riley & Son
Business owners here in southeastern Massachusetts who need a reliable diesel fuel provider can count on W.H. Riley & Son. We make bulk fuel deliveries all throughout the area. Alternatively, you can pick up the fuel you need at one of our convenient locations.
Contact W.H. Riley & Son today and let us know how we can help with your company’s diesel fuel needs.