Now that bitterly cold temps are upon us, you could run into some unexpected fuel operability issues if your equipment sits unused for days and/or you haven’t properly maintained your tank(s). Here are some quick tips to keep your equipment running smoothly:
- If possible, start equipment and let it run for a short period of time each day over the weekend.
- If you experience filter issues, cut the filter open and determine if it’s fuel waxing/gelling or water. To help determine the difference, leave the filter at room temperature. If the substance on the filter melts away, the filter plugging was caused by water.
- Make sure you are treating your fuel with winter additive, even if loads are received on warmer days. If you receive infrequent fuel deliveries, ask your sales representative about double treating and the benefits it can offer.
As always, tank maintenance is critical. It has been especially important this winter with the drastic temperature swings we’ve seen and will continue to see, according to the forecast. If you have an aboveground storage tank, watch for water buildup from condensation. Although our winter additive has a water dispersement component, additional additive may be used to help if you have water in your system. DriTek is used to reduce water contamination in fuel storage tanks, to inhibit bacterial growth, and even to act as a water “anti-freeze” during severely cold weather.
If you are having issues further downstream in equipment, Red Alert can be used to treat saddle tanks or smaller tanks. Red Alert is used in emergency situations when fuel has gelled, or anticipated extreme circumstances that are beyond normal winter conditions
