MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Traveller on May 17, 2016, 12:01:18 PM
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Sorry if this has been covered before, has anyone heard of diesel going waxy in cold if not parked up for a couple of nights? I just thought it might be a bit of an urban myth. I have been caught camping in the Vic High Country a couple of times when it has snowed, and all I had on board was non-alpine diesel. I was a bit worried but everything was fine. The last time was the first day of summer so didn't even think of snow.
I am not really sure what I could do anyway apart from arriving at the nearest town on the way up with empty tanks and then filling up. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
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Most of the country servos in cold area have alpine diesel so just put some in your tank when you get there.
I have only experienced waxing once when it got down to -9 in the blue mountains overnight. Prado was simply hard to start and i had to let it idle for 10 mins before it would go up the driveway.
Its not the end of the world
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Google is your friend. It's real and most high country farmers use in winter which is why a lot of servo's in the area will sell it.
I always ensure I fill at least 2/3 tank before staying in the snow for a few days. Not however if it's just a day trip or in the river valleys of the high country.
http://www.caltex.com.au/FPL%20PDS/Winter%20Diesel%20Blends.pdf
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Why not just top up with the Alpine and be done with it? I've heard of dudes in my old club having to light fires under their tanks and all sorts of Shit.. I aint doin that...
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Caltex web site is pretty informative.
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You can buy an additive from fuel suppliers which you add to your tank if you want to fill up in town. I always put some in the tank if heading away overnight in the colder times.
Mates on farms always run into trouble on the first frost if they haven't added the above to their onsite tanks if they haven't been delivered winter mix in time.
Tim
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Thanks for all of that folks, really appreciate it.
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Just get there with a half or empty tank and fill up with local diesel. As the Caltex site says, they adjust their mixes as seasons change. So filling up near to the alpine region will give you diesel formulated for average conditions in that area.
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Have acually seen it happen in Kalgoolie of all places. A drilling mob based at the station I was working on brought some diesel back from Darwin in 44s and it seperated in the minus 3 deg Kal winter morning. If I remember correctly they mixed in a bit of kero to bring it back. Wouldn't do it myself but drillers seem to have their own sets of rules. :laugh:
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Kero mixed up to 18% for prevention and up to 25% to 'dissolve' gelling. Had the same issues of n central Australia during winter when it got down to minus 8
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The additive is called Icebreaker Concentrate from Western Oil. You can order it online.
http://www.westernoil.com.au/containers.php?pagename=FEATURED%20PRODUCT&id=50 (http://www.westernoil.com.au/containers.php?pagename=FEATURED%20PRODUCT&id=50)
Keith