General Diesel Discussion Talk about general diesel engines (theory, etc.) If it's about diesel, and it doesn't fit anywhere else, then put it right in here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Fuel additives/freeze prevention

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 07:15 AM
  #1  
jj3500's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
From: NEW YORK
Fuel additives/freeze prevention

Looking for info regarding what to add to my fuel to prevent fuel waxing, fuel freezing, gelling all of those undesirable side affects of cold weather.

These are my thoughts/ideas...

Howes diesel treatment claims some very heavy promises. Does it work? I've never used.

Power Service & 911 Red bottle. I've used these products in the New England winters with the recommended proportions (seems to me, the 911 product will make it so that your truck will start. Not all the time. It will leave the wax build up in the fuel filter...to be changed).

HotShot... any personal experiences out there?

i'm looking for an additive that will simply add to fuel during winter months and drive it every day (preferably without all the constant maintenance of swapping fuel and water filters)....does this exist and without all the disclaimers?

much thanks
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 08:18 AM
  #2  
Lary Ellis (Top)'s Avatar
Admin Team Leader
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,514
Likes: 207
I use Power Service (white bottle) and have since 96 NEVER had a problem with fuel in the winter and I live on TOP of a mountain with the wind blowing cold.....

The MOST important thing is to be careful where you buy your fuel. I only buy from stations that sell a lot of fuel so that I don't get old fuel with water in it. The longer diesel sits in a tank the more water it accumulates....old fuel = trouble.

NEVER buy fuel from small mom and pop places... that is a recipe for disaster, busy truck stops are your safest bet and ALWAYS keep your receipt in case you get a batch of bad fuel.
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 09:04 AM
  #3  
patdaly's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,372
Likes: 172
From: Streator Illinois
Yep, red bottle is emergency only, I have only run white bottle PS for years as well. I do dose heavy, what they say treats 250 gallons usually will do about 100-120 gallons.

I too haven't had an issue for years, all I have is mom and pop, but they all sell lots of diesel.
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 11:38 AM
  #4  
sledhead01's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I have used Stanadyne products for a lot of years now and have never had any problems. I use the blue label "PF All Season". Performance Formula « Stanadyne Additives
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 02:31 PM
  #5  
Dodgetracker's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I use Power Service (white bottle) also and NEVER had a problem with fuel in the winter. Remember to keep tank as full as possible also.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2015 | 05:01 PM
  #6  
hzemax's Avatar
Registered User
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Finland
What a hell are ya talking about.

Im a Finn for crying out loud.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2015 | 12:15 PM
  #7  
HMX-1's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 966
Likes: 2
Power Service
- White bottle in winter, silver bottle in summer (white=winter, silver=summer is the easiest way to remember). I've never had to use the red 911 bottle as I'm treating more in the winter months than in the summer.

FPPF Fuel Power
- They make 2 types; one for bio and one for regular #2. I've used both (the bio version recently as Oregon pumps are B5) but mainly have used the #2 diesel version since the late 80's with zero issues.

Ashless two stroke TCW-3 oil
- A pint for every 25 gallons helps quiet the diesel chatter on our '06, and I use it on our '08 once in a while just to add some lubricity to the fuel. No issues with either truck.



-Kris
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2015 | 11:14 PM
  #8  
NE frmhnd's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
From: McCook, Nebraska
White power service doesn't burn. There was just a little in the bottle so I tossed it on the fire the other day. It ran out the bottom of the barrel.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2015 | 08:45 PM
  #9  
whiteeye42's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Rock Springs Wyoming
opti-lube fuel additive works great they have one for winter one for summer and several others go to Opti-Lube Diesel Fuel Additive | Improver | Oil Fortifier | Block Grease | XPD
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2015 | 09:21 AM
  #10  
SIXSLUG's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,613
Likes: 166
From: Pacific NW, B'ham, Kalispell MT
I'll second what Top and HMX said...My truck is a Power Service junkie. I've used Howes and Stanadyne, but the PS seems to be available everywhere I have gone so I just stick with it. Interestingly, the additive thread rates it's lube aspect pretty low, and that is why I started using it in the first place, to save my VP...

I keep a bottle of 911 and a couple of filters in my tool box for just in case, but have never needed it. -16F in MT three Christmas's ago...no problems,
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2015 | 09:29 AM
  #11  
MikeyB's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,543
Likes: 4
From: Tomball, Texas
I've been using Power Service, silver and white for years at every fillup. Also add 8oz of TCW3 at each fillup to increase the lubricity with the PS.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2015 | 11:46 AM
  #12  
BarryG's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 50
From: Castle Rock, CO
Might as well throw my two cents in. Been using the TDR blend from Amalgamated for 13 years now with not one freeze up or gell in temps down to -30f. I use the winter blend year round but they do have a summer blend. These guys produce for refinery's additive packages etc like some of the other mfrs. You wont find anything about double dosing etc. I am not knocking power service at all but if you read the bottle it might say something like increases cetane up to 6 points but if you read the fine print it only does if you double dose

right from their website
white bottle
16-OUNCE (PART NO. 1016)

At temperatures above 0°F., add entire contents (16 ounces) to 40 gallons of diesel fuel. When temperatures drop below 0°F. or when using biodiesel blends, add entire contents (16 ounces) to 20 gallons of diesel fuel.

silver bottle
16-OUNCE (PART NO. 3016)

Add entire contents (16 ounces) to 40 gallons of diesel fuel. For maximum cetane boost and quicker fuel injector clean-ups, add entire contents (16 ounces) to 20 gallons of diesel fuel.

Again I am not knocking Power service at all many use it and have no issues whatsoever just pointing out the double dose stuff in the fine print and many other brands do the same thing. Not that it doesn't work but a bit misleading imo when comparing costs based on the big print on the front of the bottle.

In any case I have been very happy with the amalgamated products and they are worth looking into. They do have one issue and it is not available from anywhere except them as they are not retail oriented. I buy the 5gal bucket and use 11oz MSR fuel bottles (which I have six and keep in my toolbox) and put in enough to cover my typical fill up.

Diesel Fuel Additives, Biodiesel Additives, and Custom Fuel Additives : Amalgamated, Inc.

Just another option
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2015 | 10:58 PM
  #13  
mini14's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: New York
Had howes in my tank fuel was gelled from the tank too my pusher pump and external fuel filter it was 1* outside. Had to wait till later in the day till it hit 20 for it to start getting fuel. Drove it to auto parts store bought a bottle of power service white. Poured it in. It's been fine ever since. Hit 1* a few more times since. No problems that was with my 99. My 05 didn't give me any trouble at all
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2015 | 04:51 PM
  #14  
hzemax's Avatar
Registered User
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Finland
Perhapse im lucky to live in Finland. We have this thing called winter diesel, that has the freezing point at 32 degrees -celcius, dunno what ever it is in Farenhait. Pretty cold anyway.

It will be sold in every gas station nation wide since july.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2015 | 04:54 PM
  #15  
hzemax's Avatar
Registered User
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Finland
Ofcource we go on the cheaper stuff at the spring
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:42 AM.