Printable View
Having lived in the alpine resorts for a number of years I can assure you it is a very wise move to ensure you have alpine diesel if you are leaving your vehicle out in the open overnight. Guests and visitors who are stuck in your resort driveway or complain that they can't get their diesel vehicle started get a bit annoying after the umpteenth time. It might be expensive and less efficient but it beats being stuck.
Get a jam jar of your regular diesel, make sure the lid is on tight and then clean the outside with brake clean or something to get rid of the diesel stench. Put it in the freezer and check it every 15 min... You will be surprised what a sludgy mess it turns into. I remember as a kid in the UK watching truckies light little bonfires under their diesel tanks to warm the fuel up enough to get going! They'd bleed thru the warmer fuel, and get the engine going. Once it was running and warm, the return line fuel was warm enough to keep the tank fuel from sludging up again!!! Fuel is much better over there now..... But obviously not here... Had been told that Australian diesel was some of the worst in the world.... Hadn't really believed it tho!!!
I had diesel gelling issues at the snow last year.
Put in half a tank of alpine mix (tank still half full of standard diesel) and stayed below the snow line overnight - couldn't get the deefer going in the morning - just kept stalling on start up.
It was a particularly cold night (minus 12) and I think it was the filter that had sludged up.
Luckily I was staying at a resort, so I just went and had another latte until the sun came up :p
http://www.google.com.au/url'sa=t&so...47008514,d.aGc
Shows the minimum standards for cloud points across Australia for all months and areas - it doesn't just vary in the cold areas.
Part 2. Winter Diesel (Alpine Diesel)
During the winter months, some diesel engines may experience difficulties starting and / or running. This is caused by the formation of wax crystals blocking the fuel filters and lines.
All diesel fuel contains wax. The wax provides several benefits including high energy content, lubricity (reducing friction), stability, and viscosity.
Under warmer conditions, the wax is a liquid in the fuel. When diesel fuel gets cold enough the wax starts to crystallize (solidify).
If the temperature is sufficiently low enough, crystals will form to block the fuel filter and the engine may stop due to fuel starvation.
Fuel suppliers on the Monaro are supplied with Alpine Diesel which has a significantly lower tendency to waxing. (Alpine Diesel is usually available from May each year)
What can you do?
Fuel tanks should be filled with at least 75% Alpine Diesel before the cold snap arrives.
Fuel Additives
Additives like Roxdiesel Antifreeze are used by some RFS Districts and Council workshops.
Roxdiesel Antifreeze inhibits and modifies wax crystal growth, offering effective cold flow management for many of the currently available diesel fuels and blends. Best results are achieved by using winter/alpine diesel and Roxdiesel Antifreeze.
It is important to add the Roxdiesel to the fuel on a warmer day. Add the Roxdiesel to the fuel prior to topping up with fresh fuel. The turbulence of filling will mix the Roxdiesel through the fuel. A dosage rate of 1 litre of Roxdiesel to 500 litres of diesel fuel is required in the coldest areas (Monaro Team RFS Districts)
Please check with your Operations Officer or your Council workshop before adding fuel additives.