Thread: Alpine Diesel - how much to fill to prevent waxing issues

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_inte...ne_regions.pdf

there is a good chance the other servos in the areas bp mention are supplying the same fuel.

Where I grew up in Colorado, the ambient dropped to -60C on occasion (a reason to live in Perth, let me tell you). Even "alpine blend" waxed up in those conditions, as did differential and transmission oil. Large rigs have electrical heat tape wrapped around fuel lines, diffs, and transmissions. Alternately find a garage and park the vehicle in that helped, but still needed heat to start.

With the thankfully warmer cold we get in Oz, I would think that if you found you need to park overnight and don't have alpine blend in the tank, and not circulated throughout the fuel system, then use a trick we used on visitor's trucks, not equipped with heat tape. First, put a 100-150w light or hair drier safely in the engine compartment and turn it on. Close the bonnet, then get one of those fancy aluminium space blankets and put it over the bonnet. That blocks the air circulation so things heat up more. Then cover the bonnet with a large sleeping bag or dooner. Leave overnight. In the morning the engine will be surprisingly warmer than ambient. Just remember to remove the heat light/hair drier and power line before attempting a start.

Ignoring Colorado, Alaska, Siberia and possibly China cold, I found that diesel waxing was only a problem in the fuel lines and water separators, not in the fuel tank. It's where there's a high flow rate in a small line (us engineers call this the sheer stress) where the wax can plug off things.

Bit chilly up in Mount Buller today, but not as bad as it's been in before

Originally Posted by Dingmark Jim

Ignoring Colorado, Alaska, Siberia and possibly China cold, I found that diesel waxing was only a problem in the fuel lines and water separators, not in the fuel tank.

Fuel filters are a #1 culprit too.

24 hour average temp of a little below -5C here. But fuel isn't having any issues. If there was any summer diesel left I would have found it by now.

I just got back from Falls Creek, staying off mountain in Mt Beauty. I filled up in Albury and added this product
Winter Fuel Formula - Genuine Flashlube™ fuel additives Synthetic lubricants for the automotive industry states
"Treat rate 100ml per 50 litres"

I added appx 200ml for 75L tank in L320 TDV8

Drove down to Mt Beauty caravan part, unhooked and did an afternoon trip to falls and back, about 170km

7am next morning after a cold negative degree night the car stalled after a couple of seconds and wouldnt start again, even the caravan diesel heater stalled and wouldnt run (no additive)

Let it rest after trying a bit, not wanting to flatten the battery. Eventually got it running and started driving, and it was a bit rough and was throwing error lights, so went to servo and topped up 3/4 tank to full with the "special diesel" they sell at Beauty. Cleared the errors (fuel pressure/pump related) and got on my way.

For the next 4 days there it started fine, though there was a couple up mornings over the next week, even at that stage in canberra, where it stalled again, and used the bleed valve on the top of engine to help get it going. Now in warmer climate its fine.

Just getting the link for this post i noticed for first time on the website it does say:
"Double treat rate on first usage to increase maximum lubrication coverage"
Maybe this would have prevented the problem, but im inclined to not use the product again, and just use it up in the diesel heater which worked ok on it.

Spent years driving bus/coach to the snow. We used to get alpine diesel delivered to the depot for the big stuff, but for cars and the mini buses we always used to run the tank low and fill up at Mansfield or Bright, to ensure tank was at least 75% alpine. It's a very real thing, and I would always advise people do the same. I would also advise asking the servo if theirs is. I doubt if any of them don't have it, but it pays to be sure.

It's not usually an issue for a day trip, but overnight it's a killer. And you never know if you might get stuck. Whatever the ARC is called these days can close the roads without notice. OK, that won't happen at Mt Beauty, but go a little further to Falls and it can. And yes, Mt Beauty can get cold enough to affect your diesel.

I wouldn't give you two bob for those additives. Buy alpine diesel and don't worry for the time you are there.

I've never needed alpine fuel. Before you say it, John, I often used to park overnight in Eromanga at -4⁰, waiting to load 50,000 litres of additive for Melbourne.