Diesel winter additive

[Colombo]

We will be heading out to Florida from Colorado in our 2014 seneca at the end of December. Will I need to add a anti jelling winter additive to the fuel or is it already in the fuel pumps at the fuel stations. Also what keeps the DEF fluid from freezing on the seneca, is there a tank heater? Merry Christmas to all.

[mike837go]

I ran my Diesel VW Jetta through the NY winters of 2013-14, 14-15 and this past winter with NO additives.


Researching the gel point on ULS turned up nothing. Seems getting rid of the sulfur also eliminates the paraffin that causes jelling.


I haven't got a clue on the freezing point of DEF since VW cheated on that.


I would expect "Do not store below xxF (xxC)" should be on the package somewhere?

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Colombo

Will I need to add a anti jelling winter additive to the fuel or is it already in the fuel pumps at the fuel stations. Also what keeps the DEF fluid from freezing on the seneca, is there a tank heater?

Your DEF will freeze at 12*. No worries though as frozen DEF will not inhibit starting the vehicle and will thaw quickly with engine warmth and DEF tank heater. As far as a fuel additive, I use PowerService white bottle in winter and grey bottle in summer. The stuff is also a fairly decent fuel pump lube.

[abarkl]

We have always used Biobor diesel fuel additive in our pre-Def engines.
We were in Colorado last year at this time without problems.
Our diesel engines have all been equipped with heaters that we engage the night before departure.

[stmccormick]

Here in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, etc., stations switch to #1 (winter) diesel, which has a much lower gelling temp than #2 (summer) diesel. We generally do not need to put more anti-gelling additive into #1 diesel unless the temps drop below zero. A simple phone call to your local truck stop and they should be able to tell you if they are pumping #1 fuel or not. If not, put some additive in and be on your way.

As insurance, there is a product called 911 Emergency Anti-gel. This is used to help de-gel fuel that has already gelled. I had to use it once, but the temps were -5.

[Gman1372]

I don't have a Seneca but I do have a 7.3 International that's 18 years going. After having my fuel lines gel up on me at 3am one year I pay a little more attention to my fuel system in cold weather.
My three additives:
Summer - Diesel Kleen cetane boost/injector cleaner
Winter - Howes conditioner anti gel (every station has it in winter)
Winter - 1 gallon kerosene per 30 gallons diesel. Kero has better lubricating properties.
The only other additive I swear by it Techron system cleaner. Twice a year. Made for gas but works wonders on diesel motors.

[TWP723]

You'll be hard pressed to have DEF freeze on you. The catalytic system heats the urea mixture to prevent freezing. There is nothing you should add to DEF...it shouldn't be compromised and should remain pure. Use Anti Gel for the fuel.

[rgolding]

Have used Sea Foam in both gas and diesel engines for years. It has always worked for us.

[cariboocreek]

Howes. I use it in all my diesel equipment. It's an anti-gel, lubricant, and anti-fungal. If you need the 911 product, it's already too late.