Forecasters are predicting a very tough winter for North America this year, and depending on where you live, it's already getting real cold. If one thing's for certain with owning a diesel in the cold winter months, it's that a lack of proper treatment and preparation of your fuel system will cause it to suffer severely. Some of this suffering can come as a result of varying qualities in the fuel. That fuel quality can vary from region to region; while less likely than by region, it can even vary from station to station, and that makes it harder to know what's going on inside your engine.
When temperatures plummet, that quality of the fuel plays a crucial role in the point when the fuel starts to fall out of spec, or in other words, gel up. That gel can become large and thick enough over time so that fuel may become unable to pass through the filter, and eventually, the engine can starve of fuel.
One practice you can do to prevent this from happening is to change your fuel filter before the temperature cools off. Fuel struggling to get through your line at this time of the year is an otherwise inevitable disaster, and you'll surely be in a world of hurt if you happen to get there.
Some products that can also help reduce gelling include Diesel Extreme and Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, both from Hot Shot's Secret. Diesel Extreme is a strong detergent additive that removes moisture and contaminants from your tank lines. Hot Shot's Anti-Gel, though, is even more designed for the purpose of readying your fuel for the winter if it's the fuel quality that's got a hold on you this season. This product will lower your fuel's cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and pour point, even with only a few ounces. The product has shown the ability to drop the fuel's pour point as low as -65 degrees F; with it, you won't have to worry about fighting gelled fuel throughout the winter one bit!
For more information, call 800-341-6516 or click here.
Photos and video credited to HotShotSecret.com