Summer diesel fuel begins to solidify when temperatures drop below -2 degrees Celsius.
Diesel fuel for the transitional period is bought in spring and autumn. It should ensure the reliability of the system when the mercury column suddenly starts to slide down. This fuel is best used at temperatures from +5 to -10 degrees Celsius.
Winter fuel according to the DIN standard is applied to -12 degrees Celsius (least). But gas stations in most cases offer fuel that is more resistant to frost: up to -15 degrees Celsius, sometimes even up to -22. Such resistance is achieved thanks to the additives already mentioned: a means is poured to improve the fluidity of the fuel.
In the conditions of Belarus, two types of fuel are used for diesel cars: L - summer and 3 - winter. The latter should be used at temperatures below +5 degrees Celsius.
Action of flow improvers
Even a fuel flow improver cannot prevent paraffin crystals from forming. The task of such a tool is to ensure that the crystals do not become large. but remained small. Small crystals do not clog the filter, diesel fuel does not freeze to a gelatinous state. Individual crystals are still quite small and freely pass through the pores of the filter. Therefore, fuel flows to the fuel pump. The motor is receiving power.
When Problems Might Occur
The temperature drops below what is allowed by the frost resistance of the fuel.
The car has not been driven for six months, and there are remains of summer fuel in the tank.
Fuel station sells more summer diesel fuel in winter (what she is not entitled to).
Fuel freezing agent
It is possible to add additional funds by the owner to diesel fuel. They are sold in stores and contain instructions for use. This solves the problem to some extent.
Be careful! For those fuels that are stable down to -22 degrees Celsius, the addition of flow improvers is only occasionally successful. Sometimes the pour point of the fuel is reduced. We do not recommend testing this in practice. As a last resort, regular low-octane gasoline can be added if more frost resistance is required, while the engine will run harder, with all the ensuing consequences.
The second possibility is the admixture of conventional gasoline (by no means "super" (AI-95), since it degrades the ignition ability to a greater extent than low-octane gasoline (A-76)).
If it is necessary to leave for use summer fuel at temperatures from 0 to -15 degrees Celsius or winter fuel at temperatures from -15 to -25 degrees Celsius, then it is recommended to add a maximum of 30% low-octane gasoline "Volkswagen" holds 12 liters, then gasoline can be filled with a maximum of 12.6 liters. If the temperature does not reach the specified negative values, then, accordingly, pour less gasoline.
The engine works with this mixture very unprofitably. it starts worse, the rotation is unusually hard, there is a lot of wear. Therefore, as soon as the temperature allows, refill the tank with diesel fuel.
Application of a flow improver
If the diesel fuel is already frozen (that is, it acquired a gelatinous consistency), then nothing will help him, but if there is still a means to improve fluidity in the icy glove box, it must be poured into the tank. If the limit for fuel deterioration is significantly exceeded, the car should be towed to a heated garage. There, paraffin crystals melt at a certain temperature and can dissolve in diesel fuel. The one in a hurry melts diesel fuel in the spray booth of a body shop.
Replacing the filter and cleaning the intake in the tank bring only short-term success. The starter won't help either. How to do the right thing? It is imperative that when a night with a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius is expected, you should drive to the gas station in advance. First, pour the fluidizer into the tank (it should be at room temperature if possible), then pour fuel into the tank to the brim. Diesel fuel stored in an underground tank at a filling station has a positive temperature in any case, so the fluidity improver mixes well with the fuel. It is best that the tank is empty beforehand; then the fuel poured at the station will warm up the remains sufficiently and thereby melt the formed crystals.
During a short trip, the contents of the tank are well mixed, and thanks to this, even the Siberian cold can be calmly resisted.
Instruction. Firm "Volkswagen" does not recommend the use of a flow improver. The reason is not only the damage caused to the injection system, but also the worse efficiency of this agent, which is mixed with frost-resistant fuels (what has been said before). In contrast, the addition of regular gasoline to all types of diesel fuel is effective.
In the photo you see large paraffin crystals tied together (shown with magnification), which are formed in diesel fuel in the cold. | Separate small crystals of paraffin. The flow improver prevents the formation of large crystals. The fuel is usable as it passes through the pores of the filter |
Additional installation of heating installation
In addition to the means already listed, solidification of the fuel can be countered by installing a so-called diesel heating system. This setup was offered by the company "Bosch".
Heating of fuel is carried out between a tank and the filter. It is efficient due to thermoelectric control (starting from +6 degrees Celsius), so you can withstand unexpected autumn colds. The element heats the fuel in front of the fine filter.
Firm "Bosch" offers the optional installation of a so-called diesel heating system. In this design, a thermostatically controlled heating element is installed between the fuel filter and the filter bracket. The flowing fuel is heated, so the filter element cannot clog the paraffin crystals, since they simply do not exist.
But if diesel fuel solidifies to a gelatinous state in severe frost, it can no longer flow through the filter and through the fuel lines. Then the heating installation will not help either. In this case, a little flow improver or regular gasoline should be added to the fuel.
1 - Electric heater; 2 - Filter; 3 - Fuel tank; 4 - High pressure fuel pump.
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