With how stupid diesel fuels have been getting...I've been debating the switch to biodiesel. I'm moving up to Alaska where it can reach negative -40° F. Is there a "too-cold" for biodiesel? Any suggestions? Thank you!

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2001 Dodge 24-valve 5.9 Cummins Turbo-diesel, 4x4, 2500, Banks Sys.

 

Sorry dude, but when it gets to 20F here in South Dakota, I have to start worring about gelling.

Over the counter additives won't do jack to stop gelling of Bio. I hate to say it, but I don't think that bio would be a good choice for a majority of the time in Alaska. You may get away with it during the summer months and some of Fall, but other wise it's going to gell up like mad in those temps up north.

 

I remember in Eastern Turkey with temps of -40, truckers would build a fire under oil pan and tank or use a blow torch carefully to warm things up a bit (not too much!).

 

Even here in middle Tn the one oil company I have been talking to about getting 100% bio from says he don't like keeping it around in the winter. Gels way to easy. We only get in the teens as far as temps go around here, and that's upon occasion. Not to sure what summer temps are like in Alaska, I remember I was there in June many years ago and the high was 52 for the day, but that was just one day.

 

Diesel Dave2 runs lots of bio, he had an issue of a tank full of B100 gelling at around -15 or so. Some of that Stanadyne 911 got him going pretty easy he said. Up here, it'll be +20C in February and -15C in April, so its really a crapshoot as to when its safe to run gellable fuels.

 

Depending on where you are, summer temps can range from the the 40's-50's up to th3 90's-fairbanks. I don't know much about the gelling issue yet but will be learning more with my first summer with a diesel. I hear that Seafoam is a pretty good fuel additive for gelling but the realm of biodiesel is all basic witchcraft from my point at this time. Good luck

 

yeah, where are you goin anyway?

 

from what i understand, bio doesnt gel, it waxes. it ruined a trip up north to colorado once and it will never be ran in my truck if there is any chance of the weather being less and 50s

 

Power Service Arctic Express biodiesel treatment will prevent gelling of B20 down to -40°F
More info http://www.powerservice.com/aedf/

I don't think it would be wise to run B100 in Alaska any time of year, B75 would likely be a good maximum for summer.

 

I'm moving to the Anchorage, AK area.

 

What about Tank & line heaters? Maybe a fuel filter heater too? Yes/No/Maybe?

 

I played with fire this winter...Got down several times to -20C and colder and I had about 50% bio in the tank.I almost got the tank jelled up last winter but put in about 750 ML of 911 and everthing was ok.This winter I added a little 911 on every fillup of the diesel and bio mix.I was lucky I had no problems.I would only recommend 5 to 10% when temps get to -10C..Don't take a chance like I did...

 

Well if you decide to leave Los Anchorage and head into Alaska temps will be colder than where you started from, considering the mountain passes that you have to go over. So be carefull of your blends.