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Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:41 am
by helen&tony
Hi
A shot in the dark, really, as we don't normally get this trouble, except for , maybe, one or two days. The diesel froze (yes, I know it's "waxed", but I just like the word froze, as it's how i feel

) about 3 or 4 days ago, and I don't know how far up the temperature must rise before it becomes useable again. I am wondering whether it may have to go a lot higher than temperatures where it would not have any trouble...if that makes sense...in other words, it will run very well at minus 10 C. but would it have to rise to minus 8 C. (for example), for all the crystals to disappear in the filter....does anyone have info???
Cheers
Helen
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:11 am
by scanner
Does this help?
http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_interne ... ummary.pdf
It contains "emergency starting procedures" - looks like you'll need to get the hair dryer out.
No fear of freezing here it's been well over 20c for days now.
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:13 am
by Doone
I don't know the answer, but I think you're talking about the 'cloud point', which may be dependant on the fuel manufacturer, additives etc. I found
THIS LINK which explains the 'cloud point'.
I've seen people use a blow torch on diesel tanks to warm them up.
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:51 am
by helen&tony
Hi
Thanks for the replies....i had suspected that i may have to get the hair dryer our...I looked up diesel fuel yesterday, pertaining to "cloud point", and, surprisingly enough, a Canadian website said they use diesels at much lower temperatures than we get here, although I think it went down to minus 28 degrees C the other night...I'll just have to wait till tomorrow, and to add insult to injury, I've got a flat tyre

...and a power steering prob.
I'll fix the tyre , no problem...I'll just turn it round so the flat bit is at the top
Anyway, I shall get out soon, even if I have to get a taxi
20 Celcius over there Scanner???...we had those temperatures when England was freezing a couple of weeks back....this is one weird winter!!!
Cheers
Helen
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:17 pm
by Alison01326
Sorry to hear the cold weather has arrived.
I know that many Canadians (as we used them as an example and I have a few cousins there) use diesel fuel heaters (there's an inline sort but don't know anything about them), or leave their engines running. Doesn't solve your problem, but I doubt an unheated tank of Canadian diesel would run any differently from an unheated tank of Bulgarian diesel if it was designed as Winter diesel anyway.
Do I know what I am talking about? Not really, but thought I'd give you some food for thought before you go out, Helen.
Never watched it myself, OH and The Boy enjoy watching "Ice Road Truckers" on Channel 5
http://demand.five.tv/Series.aspx?serie ... adTruckers, Must ask them to pay attention regarding diesel issues.
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:12 pm
by helen&tony
Hi Alison
The diesel they use would work until around minus 28 C. according to what I read, and I expect they use calorifiers to warm the diesel. Normally, heavy equipment used to be started in Fall, and run non -stop until Spring according to my Father...and in car parks, there were electric hook-ups in the old days, so when you went shopping, you plugged the car in, or the block would freeze

...and that's cold.
Cheers
Helen
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:09 pm
by lpgimports
My family used to have a fleet of taxis 20 plus years ago and freeze ups where fairly common, additives are added to the derv by the fuel companies in relation to the expected weather, but when you get a freeze up then only cure is heat, once had to have one on a ramp with a space heater going under it and got it going on a can of fresh warm diesel on a pipe from the filter head with a new filter in.
Paul
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:15 pm
by helen&tony
Hi
Cheers, Paul, I think we're going to try tomorrow or Friday, when it warms up a bit, and I might try the steamer instead of the hairdryer...it gets REALLY hot
Cheers
Helen
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:13 pm
by scanner
helen&tony wrote:Hi
20 Celcius over there Scanner???...we had those temperatures when England was freezing a couple of weeks back....this is one weird winter!!!
Cheers
Helen
Where I am it's summer.......................
I left the UK behind a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 38&t=37407
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 9:28 pm
by helen&tony
Hi Scanner
Nice location...Hiv a noice diy
Enjoy your break
Cheers
Helen
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:21 pm
by scanner
helen&tony wrote:Hi Scanner
Nice location...Hiv a noice diy
You hiv the iccint spit in.
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 11:34 am
by helen&tony
Hi Scanner
There was a survey done a few months back, of top places to live in the world...I can't remember who was first and second, but Canada and New Zealand were top..don't know which order...let us know your views when you get back
And the diesel problem...couple of days ago...minus 15 on the TM2...started, and ran VERY badly rough...so I turned off....next day..minus 17...didn't try...yesterday minus 15, and starter span like it wasn't attached to anything???....strange,as I think it's pre-engaged....spent last night worrying...this morning...minus 11, and started, but stopped...fuel still slightly hazy, probably...tomorrow

maybe warmer
Take care
Cheers
Helen
Re: Diesel fuel
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:54 am
by scanner
helen&tony wrote:
There was a survey done a few months back, of top places to live in the world...I can't remember who was first and second, but Canada and New Zealand were top..don't know which order...let us know your views when you get back....
I've noticed there are very few fat/obese people here - and it's easy to see why when you go shopping - prices are crazy and BOGOFs do not exist.
You can't afford to be fat here.
and starter span like it wasn't attached to anything???....strange,as I think it's pre-engaged....
Maybe the pinion was frozen to the shaft?