As the temps have started to drop, many diesel owners are dreading the problems that seem to crop up.
A diesel engine (also known as a compression-ignition engine and sometimes capitalized as Diesel engine) is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber during the final stage of compression.
In cold weather, high speed diesel engines that are pre-chambered can be difficult to start because the mass of the cylinder block and cylinder head absorb the heat of compression, preventing ignition due to the higher surface-to-volume ratio.
Diesel fuel is also prone to waxing or gelling in cold weather; both are terms for the solidification of diesel oil into a partially crystalline state. The crystals build up in the fuel line (especially in fuel filters), eventually starving the engine of fuel and causing it to stop running.
As the temperature drops, the wax naturally found in diesel fuel begins to form crystals. The point at which wax crystals form is known as the cloud point. These wax crystals eventually clog the fuel filter and starve the engine of fuel, preventing it from starting. While low quality fuels may form wax crystals in temperatures as warm as 40°F (4°C), most fuels have a cloud point near 32°F (0°C). The point at which the wax crystals clog the fuel filter is known as the cold filter-plugging point (CFPP).
Likewise, lower quality diesel fuels have a lower cetane rating. They are more difficult to start, especially in cold weather or at high altitudes. They accelerate lube oil sludge formation. Many low cetane fuels increase engine deposits resulting in more smoke, increased exhaust emissions and greater engine wear.
AMSOIL offers solutions for diesel owners. With excellent diesel fuel additives and fully synthetic engine oils rest assured AMSOIL users will prevent many of the problems associated with cold weather diesel ownership.
AMSOIL DCF
First up is AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate with Cold Flow Improver. AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate Plus Cold Flow Improver (DFC) combines the superior detergency of AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate (ADF) and the excellent anti-gelling properties of AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver (ACF) in one convenient package, without sacrificing performance. AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate Plus Cold Flow Improver is formulated with excellent detergency properties to help keep injectors, rings and piston crowns lubricated and free of soot, as well as cleans dirty injectors, improving fuel economy by up to five percent and restoring horsepower to like new. DFC lowers the cold flow filter plugging point (CFPP) by as much as 34 F (19 C) in ultra-low sulfur diesel. Cold Flow Improver contains jet-fuel-type deicer to help prevent ice formation in fuels that are contaminated with water.
DFC Reduces the need for #1 Diesel Fuel. One traditional solution to cold weather problems in diesel engines is the use of #1 diesel fuel, which is diesel fuel diluted with kerosene. While #1 diesel fuel has an advantage in low-temperature operability, there are also several disadvantages. The energy content of #1 diesel fuel is about 95 percent of that of #2 diesel fuel, resulting in reduced fuel economy and less horsepower. In addition, the kerosene used in #1 diesel fuel provides less lubrication for the fuel pump and fuel distributor, increasing the likelihood for wear on these critical components. AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate Plus Cold Flow Improver minimizes the need for blending standard #2 diesel fuel with lower-quality #1 diesel fuel, helping to maintain fuel economy and keep engines functioning normally.
AMSOIL Cetane Boost ACB
Next we have AMSOIL Centane boost (ACB). AMSOIL Cetane Boost Additive improves diesel fuel quality that benefits all diesel engines, especially high performance designs.
-ACB increases fuel economy up to 2%
-Improves the spontaneous auto-ignition point of diesel fuel which shortens ignition lag time. Diesel fuel ignites earlier in the cycle.
-Cetane Boost reduces white smoke, emissions and objectionable odors
-Reduces misfiring during warm-up and at low temperatures.
-Use AMSOIL Cetane boost in the summer as well as winter for best all around diesel performance.
For best results with up to a seven point cetane increase, add one oz. of AMSOIL Cetane Boost per five gallons of diesel fuel (one bottle to 80 gallons).
AMSOIL Diesel Recover DRC
AMSOIL Diesel Recovery (DRC) is an emergency diesel fuel treatment that dissolves the wax crystals that form when diesel fuel has surpassed its cloud point. Diesel Recovery liquefies gelled diesel fuel and thaws frozen fuel filters, avoiding costly towing charges and getting diesels back on the road. Think of Diesel Recovery as “insurance in a bottle” If the problem does arise where you have fuel gelling it could be an expensive proposition to get your diesel up and running again. DRC can come to the rescue.
AMSOIL Diesel Recovery quickly dissolves gelled fuel to allow the operator to continue driving with minimal downtime. Diesel Recovery separates the molecular bonds of wax crystals that have agglomerated in diesel fuel. It thaws frozen fuel filters and reduces the need for a new filter, saving money and preventing an inconvenient trip to an auto parts store. *Quickly Dissolves Gelled Fuel * Thaws Frozen Fuel Filters * Performs Well in ULSD, Off-Road & Biodiesel * Alcohol-Free and Non-Corrosive.
Lastly for those that just love to do it yourself or if you live in a climate where temperatures are mostly moderate, AMSOIL offers Diesel Concentrate and Cold Flow Improver in separate bottles.
Using AMSOIL Diesel Fuel Additives combined with AMSOIL Synthetic diesel engine oils, transmission fluids, and gear lubricants will keep your vehicles and equipment running now matter how low the mercury drops. Order your AMSOIL Today. Michael Sparks AMSOIL Dealer / Direct Jobber amsoil.lube-direct.com 931-801-9401
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AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate is great, I use it at every fill-up and have noticed a 6% increase in my fuel economy. Cold flow improver makes it even better.