With the winter season quickly approaching, it also brings a whole new set of challenges for truck drivers and keeping your fuel system in good shape is one of them. During the winter months the diesel fuel in your semi truck can gel or even solidify. If you do not take the necessary preventative steps, you may experience expensive repairs, your truck not starting, or engine shut down. To avoid diesel gelling this winter and other, check out our five tips below.
What Causes Diesel Gelling?
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax. As the temperature begins to drop, the paraffin starts to solidify. When the temperature reaches 32 degrees, wax crystals begin forming and the fuel tank becomes clouded. At 10-15 degrees, it will finally begin to gel, clog the trucks tank and fuel filters.
How to Prevent Diesel Fuel Gelling
Use Petrexx’s fuel additive
Using the right fuel additive will make your life easier, plus save you time and money. Petrexx has designed their fuel additives as a one-stop-solution for all fuel related problems. Not only does Petrexx’s fuel additives stop gelling and waxing, they also clean out your fuel systems and injector nozzles, reducing idling time, and much more. Learn more about Petrexx’s fuel additives here. https://app.thetruckersnetwork.net/petrexx/
Invest in a block heater
An engine block heater keeps the core temperature of your engine nice and comfortable. Investing in a block heater can limit the time spent cold starting and draining your battery. They also help limit the crystallization of wax in fuel and other types of gelling.
Keep your tank filled up with fuel
Try to keep your tank more than halfway full of fuel. Having more fuel in your tank reduces the chance of water or condensation to build up and freeze.
Change fuel filter
A brand new fuel filter helps limit the chances of gelling. The fuel filter media holds contaminants that have been filtered out of the fuel. The more contaminants in the fuel, the quicker gelling will form.