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Vent: A cold snap on my mountain trip locked up my fuel lines

I drove my diesel van up to the cabins last week for some time off. The weather turned fast and the diesel in my tank gelled overnight. Could not get the engine to turn over the next morning, totally stuck. Had to call a buddy to bring additive and a heater to fix it. If you travel where it gets cold, treat your fuel before you go, not after.
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4 Comments
palmer.holly
What kind of additive do you keep on hand now for winter trips? Heard some work way better than others.
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phoenix_lewis
Yeah, the "just talk" thing is real. I read a deep dive last year that broke down how the anti-gel additives actually work. The good ones mess with the wax crystals in diesel to stop them from clumping together in the cold. The cheap stuff is basically just alcohol, which can be hard on your seals and doesn't work as well for long hauls. It made me picky about what I grab now. You really do get what you pay for with this stuff.
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claire_grant34
Used to think that was just talk?
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smith.nancy
smith.nancy23d agoTop Commenter
Saw a test where the cheap stuff froze solid.
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