Gel Point - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jaoneill · #1 01-17-2007, 09:28 AM

FWIW

Local fuel suppliers here have always mixed #2 50/50 with kero for winter. My regular guy was telling me recently that they no longer can mix due to the ultra low sulfer (apparently kero is not uls). He assured me that they had an additive that would prevent gelling to -40f.

He was wrong. I filled up yesterday (added the usual power service) and should have had the sense to dump in five gallons or so of kero (red dye be damned). It is just south of 20 below this morning and, with a zillion appointments to get to today my 190 is gelled. After being plugged in for two hours it started right up, ran for 30-40 seconds and quit.

Jim

its_snowing · #2 01-17-2007, 09:44 AM

yeah, im in boston, wondering if im suffering from a similar problem. it was really cold last night. then, this morning, car started up first, ran for a bit, then died. now wont start at all. my girlfriend ran the battery down trying to crank it, unfortunately. glow plugs just replaced, relay just replaced, valves recently adjusted. compression probably isnt great, but should be good enough.

kerry · #3 01-17-2007, 09:50 AM

That's a really interesting point about ULSD and mixed fuel. Anyone know if other states are not mixing fuels?
My container of Power Service says it stops gelling down to -40degrees F. Is that not true?

KylePavao · #4 01-17-2007, 05:48 PM

Same issue for me. Always started well last year...when it was colder! Maybe this new ULSD?

rwthomas1 · #5 01-17-2007, 06:10 PM

It is entirely possible that they have not worked out the cold gelling issue completely for ULSD. I have not had a problem yet but I usually double-dose the tank with temps like these. Hmmm, maybe the petroleum industry is going to screw diesel owners like it screwed boat owners with 10% ethanol? Releasing a product with incomplete testing? Never happen.....

RT

Ken300D · #6 01-17-2007, 08:34 PM

That is bad news, because there is a theory out there that all diesel is now ULSD. Those that cleaned their tanks can officially claim ULSD status and reasonably expect to pass a sulfer content inspection. Those stations not claiming ULSD status are actually selling ULSD mixed in with what was already in the tank before. After they have run a few tanks of new ULSD through their system, they'll be ready to officially claim ULSD status.

Is there any difference in the Power Service dosage required to protect against gelling? I'm thinking the PS for lubrication and performance may be less than that required to prevent gelling. Don't have the bottle in front of me.

Ken300D

#7 01-17-2007, 09:00 PM

All stations get their fuel from the same refineries. It's the additive packages and kero mixture they control.

Brian Carlton · #8 01-17-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken300D

Is there any difference in the Power Service dosage required to protect against gelling? I'm thinking the PS for lubrication and performance may be less than that required to prevent gelling. Don't have the bottle in front of me.

Ken300D

The white bottle of Power Service is designed specifically for anti-gel. I don't recall the ratio, but, the bottle clearly states how much is required to prevent gelling down to very low temperatures.

The gray bottle, which we typically use, makes no mention of the anti-gel capability. I'm sure it must have some capability, but, I wouldn't take it to the bank.

jaoneill · #9 01-19-2007, 07:40 AM

Been out of town and am just checking in but it's interesting to read the replies. I fired up a salamander heater (directed at the front of the car) in the garage and an hour later the car started like it was summer. Without any kero on hand I dumpted a gallon of RUG into an almost full fuel tank. Even with the RUG and what had been the normal wintertime double dose of Power Service the car stumbled a few times during the first 30 minutes or so of driving. Did a total of six hundred miles over the next two days (in warmer temps) with no issues at all.

We have always blended because the additives really don't seem to work at extreme temps. I don't think anything has changed, except the ability to blend kero legally. The RUG did work the other day but I would be nervous about using it on a regular basis.

Jim

rebreath · #10 01-19-2007, 09:21 AM

only been in syracuse two weeks but already it has been very cold here.with the wind and no garage I had to put the ass to the wind.why,the first time that I did not plug in the night before,andshe sat nose to the wind,she would not start.AT ALL!but was not gelled.I only had to plug in for about fifteen minutes and she fired right up.Have had nothing but ulsd now for about a month(ran out of veggie,have not found source up here yet) and that was the only time starting was an issue.I leave her plugged all night and come out at 7:30 to drive she who must be obeyed to work and the temp before even firing is at 45deg C.thats pretty warm for sitting in that lake effect wind.could your block heater be faulty?maybe plug in overnite and see if that helps.
Up here,as per owners manual; I add kero at each fill-up.I have to sign some stupid sheet up here!what is up with that!something about meth labs Is what I was told.

Hatterasguy · #11 01-19-2007, 10:23 AM

Wow that sucks. Knock on wood I have been running it straight and have not had an issue yet.

jaoneill · #12 01-19-2007, 11:43 AM

Rebreath,

Nothing mechanical at fault. I am 150 miles north of, and it is typically 10-20 degrees colder here than in Syracuse. Car wouldn't run because, in spite of all the additives it gelled (I could see it in the prefilter).

Jim

Hatterasguy · #13 01-19-2007, 03:17 PM

Can you get the car in a garage? That should heat it up real nice.

Yeah I was watching the weather looks like it was about 0 up your way last night!

TX76513 · #14 01-19-2007, 03:46 PM

It important to know that you need to put the additive in the tank prior to filling up. ULSD #2 winterized is supposed to have a GP of 7 F to meet manufacturing specifications

rebreath · #15 01-19-2007, 03:47 PM

I think he said he parked in a garage.thats what made me wonder if it was mechanical.even though he is more north than I,should be somewhat similar since I park outside,and have only had the one prob.starts like a champ every morning now.