As the winter months rolls around us diesel owners get an unexpected bit of stress added to our plate. Diesel fuel gelling is a very common issue most diesel owners who live in areas where the temperature drops below 32 degrees will face at least once in their lives. Not only is this issue frustrating and stressful when it occurs, the mere trauma from past experiences can lead to constant stress during these cold times. No one wants to get out of work in the pitch black freezing cold only to find that their truck won't start at all. But what should you do in the event that your truck won't start or stay running? Luckily we have a step by step guide on how to properly fix this issue once it has occurred.
As a preface, this issue is caused when the paraffin wax used in diesel fuels (for lubricity and proper viscosity) start to solidify. While gelling can take on varying levels of severity from cloudy fuel all the way to a squishy solid mass. Diesel fuel gelling is never a thing you want to expeirince. At its most mild levels it can cause poorer fuel economy, less power, and be pretty hard on your fuel system. At its worst I can clog fuel lines, filters, pumps and even injectors while potentially causing irreversible damage to your fuel system. If you live in a cold climate take precautions by adding anti-gelling agent into your fuel before severely cold temperatures start setting in to avoid all of these issues.