Diesel Treat

Why Use Howes Diesel Treat?

Many vehicles and equipment from pick-up trucks to 18 wheelers, boats to tractors, and everything in between, are made with diesel engines. These engines are powerful, and often last longer than those of gasoline engines. There are many benefits to a diesel engine on the road and on the farm, but diesel can have its downsides.  Today’s Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel is severely lacking in lubricity. The tight clearances and extreme heat of newer High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) systems make them prone to diesel injector deposits. Furthermore, diesel fuel, especially biodiesel, has a high likelihood of gelling when exposed to freezing temperatures. If you’re new to using diesel fuel, you may be concerned when you hear the term “gelling” — or worse, experience it for yourself! Gelling is the result of diesel fuel thickening up in freezing temperatures and can block filters, lines, and fuel rails.  At around 34°F, you can start to see the process of gelling; fuel in the tank starts to thicken, form deposits, and get cloudy. By around 15°F or lower, untreated diesel fuel may fully gel, resulting in smoke, hard starts, the loss of power, or the inability to start at all. When a diesel engine doesn’t run, unwanted downtime and potential lost revenue are likely to follow.  Luckily Howes Diesel Treat is your unbeatable solution. Both an anti-gel and fuel conditioner, Diesel Treat provides you with all the added benefits your diesel needs while preventing gelling in even the coldest temperatures. Petroleum-based and made with no alcohol or harmful solvents, Diesel Treat is always safe to use and will not void any manufacturers’ warranties. Best of all, Diesel Treat is 100% guaranteed. Howes is the only company to offer a free tow guarantee. “YOU GO or WE PAY the TOW!”

What Is Diesel Gelling?

Diesel gelling is what happens when cold weather or freezing temperatures cause diesel fuel to form wax crystals and begin to turn from a liquid into a gel-like substance, preventing it from pouring. The lowest temperature at which diesel fuel can be poured is called the pour point. After reaching its pour point, diesel fuel will be too gelled to flow through your system. Though gelling temperatures vary based on the quality of the fuel and other factors, it’s good to assume that if the weather reaches the point of freezing (around 32 degrees Fahrenheit), your untreated diesel is on its way to gelling.
Gelled diesel will not flow properly though your engine, so you need to fix this problem as fast as possible if you start to see cloudiness in your diesel fuel or pouring becomes difficult. But the best way to deal with gelling is to prevent it in the first place. Anti-gel products, such as Diesel Treat, can be added to your diesel in order to keep it in its liquid form even in freezing temperatures.

How does Diesel Treat safely remove harmful water from diesel fuel?

Diesel Treat safely removes water from your system by demulsifying it or pushing water molecules out of the fuel to be removed by your water separator, allowing only pure fuel to burn. Water can be very abrasive to your system, cause corrosion, and erode injector nozzles. It can also lead to icing, which causes problems similar to gelling. Other products emulsify water or mix water molecules into the fuel, allowing it to flow through your system where it can cause damage. Demulsification is the preferred method to remove water molecules from diesel fuel according to major diesel engine manufacturers. Diesel Treat is 100% petroleum-based and made with no alcohol or harmful solvents. Products that use alcohol may be very corrosive to your system. Alcohol can cause the swelling and breakdown of gasket and seal materials. Alcohol is also good “food” for bacteria and other microorganisms so it can contribute to the development of algae and microbial growth. Diesel Treat is always safe to use and will not void manufacturers’ warranties. 

Is Using a Fuel Additive Safe Long-Term?

Yes! In fact, it’s recommended that you use a diesel fuel additive to extend the life of your diesel engine. Whether you drive a large truck, work with an excavator at a construction site, or navigate an RV across the country on your vacation days, you can certainly benefit from adding an additive all year round. Fuel additives that clean and lubricate diesel fuel will prevent premature wear of your injectors, pumps, and upper cylinders. In colder climates, or in situations where you might travel from warm weather into colder temperatures, an additive like Diesel Treat that includes an anti-gel is important. A system that does not use quality additives may suffer over the years, not lasting nearly as long as an engine that was properly cared for. Not using an anti-gel in the winter could cause serious down time and cost you money. Howes products can be used simultaneously and overtreatment is not harmful. Even if you’re using an injector cleaner like Howes Diesel Defender, if cold weather starts to sneak in, you can add Diesel Treat right away without any issues.