Diesel Treat

Why Use Howes Diesel Treat?

Like any moving part, your engine requires preventive maintenance to run at peak efficiency.

Diesel engines are found in countless modern machines. This includes pick-up trucks, 18-wheelers, boats, tractors, and more. 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. Clean injectors are key to your machine’s productivity. Dirty injectors can lead to uneven spray patterns, unburnt fuel, and decreased fuel economy.

Furthermore, diesel fuel, especially biodiesel, has a high likelihood of gelling when exposed to freezing temperatures.

Gelling is the result of diesel fuel thickening up in freezing temperatures. Gel can commonly 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.

At around 15°F or lower, untreated diesel fuel may fully gel, resulting in smoke, the loss of power, hard starts, or the inability to start at all. Fuel flow is the main culprit in this situation, but declining long-term engine performance is another threat.

When temperatures drop, your engine is at risk. And 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. Diesel treat provides you with all the added benefits your diesel needs as an anti-gel and fuel conditioner. While preventing gelling in even the coldest temperatures, this truly is a diesel treatment suitable for all conditions.

Diesel Treat is always safe to use thanks to its petroleum-based ingredients. This alcohol and harmful solvent-free conditioner 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 and diesel fuel mix. Dropping temperatures can cause diesel fuel to form wax crystals and begin to turn it from a liquid into a gel-like substance. This prevents it from flowing properly.

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. Gelling temperatures may vary based on the quality of the fuel and other factors. But when air temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your untreated diesel fuel is always at risk to gel.

Gelled diesel will not flow properly through your engine. If you think your fuel is at risk, you need to fix this problem as fast as possible. If you start to see cloudiness in your diesel fuel or pouring becomes difficult, the gelling process has already begun. 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 to help maintain its liquid form even in freezing temperatures.

Does Diesel Treat reliquefy fuel after it has gelled?

No. Diesel Treat will not reverse diesel gelling. Once the fuel reaches its cloud point, the point at which wax crystals begin to form, no anti-gel can reverse that. Instead, you would turn to an emergency rescue product such as our Howes Diesel Lifeline. Without the use of alcohol or harmful solvents, our Diesel Lifeline will modify the melting points of wax and ice to quickly and safely restore fuel flow in your system.

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. Once separated, the molecules can be removed by your water separator. This process allows only pure fuel to burn.

Water is bad for diesel fuel and fuel systems. 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. This allows water to flow through your system where it can cause damage. According to major diesel engine manufacturers, demulsification is the preferred method to remove water molecules from diesel fuel.

While some products use alcohol to deal with water in fuel, 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. 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 long-term use of a fuel additive safe?

Yes! In fact, it’s recommended that you use a diesel fuel additive or diesel fuel conditioner for the winter and other seasons as well. Quality additives will 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 and diesel conditioners that clean and lubricate diesel fuel will prevent premature wear of your injectors, pumps, and upper cylinders. In areas with consistently cold temperatures, an additive like Diesel Treat that includes an anti-gelling agent for diesel fuel is essential. It is just as important in situations where you travel between warm weather and cold climates.

A system that does not use quality additives may suffer over the years. Without proper care, your engine will not last nearly as long as an engine that was well maintained. Not using an anti-gel in the winter could cause serious downtime and cost you money. Treating diesel fuel for the winter is just one vital step to keeping your engine healthy.

Howes products can be used simultaneously. Additionally, when using strictly Howes fuel additives, overtreatment is not harmful. Even if you’re already using an injector cleaner like Howes Diesel Defender, you’ll need a full defense for your engine when temperatures start to change. If cold weather starts to sneak in, you can add Diesel Treat right away without any negative issues.