I just talked to a guy that works for one of the big oil companies about the diesel fuel in Illinois. He told me that almost all stations have 10% bio mixed into the fuel. This is from some laws that Illinois has for mixing renewable into the fuel. They know there are issues with cold temperature operation but it is mandated by the state. He said that putting in the anti-gell treatments do not work as well on the bio as they do on #2. There can still be small gell particles of the bio that will plug the filters. He claimed it really becomes an issue at below 10'F which it has been for the last 10 days. He said that some over treatment of anti-gell helps to avoid this.

He claimed that Iowa and Indiana had the same fuel rules and would see the same issues. He knew that Wisconsin did not mandate it for winter time so come Novemebr they stop the use of bio.

I live 60 miles south of Wisconsin and really do not feel like driving 120 miles to fill up my truck. What a bunch of BS.

B10 might have warranty implications too since GM says B5 max.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283860

The Marathon station I fill up at EVERY tank runs a 75% straight #2/ 25% #1 mix right now w/ absolutly no bio!!! I made the mistake of not filling up there last week after plowing for about 20hrs...I was gelled up the next day.:rolleyes:

P.S.--It's 15 miles from WI so I just saved you 30 miles:D

I haven't had any problems in 7 years. I use FPPF Total Power in every tank.
I live in NE WI, so as said, this may be a 11% bio issue in Lower Great Lakes States.

Yep and most staions in IL do not have the pumps lableled "bio diesel". In my experiences the worst fuel that I have bought came from BP Stations. Since I started filling up a the local truck stop with straight ULSD I have not had any problems.

Yep and most staions in IL do not have the pumps lableled "bio diesel". In my experiences the worst fuel that I have bought came from BP Stations. Since I started filling up a the local truck stop with straight ULSD I have not had any problems.

Where is the local truck stop?

If its close enough, I may try it

I've filled up in Norther IL a few times this winter already (Rockford, Dekalb, Chicago) and always run a dose of power service Diesel additive in the white bottle after getting gelled last winter. Ever since I've started this in the winter I haven't had a single problem. I buy the large bottle of PS at Fleet Farm (best price in my area) and then divide it into smaller single dose bottles for fill-ups.

Where is the local truck stop?

If its close enough, I may try it


It "petro truck plaza" is located in Rochelle when traveling on Interstate 39 it is located on the exit for 38. Its about 2o miles south of Rockford.

Damb, I ussually fill up at the BP station right accross the street from there. Not any more, I am going to the Petro.

I also was reading yesterday that BP (Amoco) does not even carry diesel, the station owners buy it from local suppliers. The station owners do not have to hold the standards that Amoco fuels are held to. The station owners could be buying the lowest grade to get buy with and make another penny per gallon.

Stay away from walmart Diesel gels every time

I live near the Quad Cities and I(knock on wood) have never had any problems with gelling yet. During the winter I have been using HOWES diesel treat in my lmm, it works with both ulsd and bio. It says on the bottle to use a little extra if you are running bio. I've been running B11 in my semi for the last two winters. I use (Penray winter pow-r plus) it is formulated just for bio and it says will work with b20 also, but GM don't want us using it. If it gets real cold i usually just let the semi run. If i can't get the pow-r plus for the semi i end up using HOWES.. http://www.penray.com

How do you guys know when it gels?

You will see little ice crystals floating in the fuel.

The diesel will start to look cloudy verses clear is the first sign of gelling is starting.

Have you guys had any trouble with the BP stations in Rochelle?

Several guys said to stay with Rochelle Oil (now Hintzsche Oil) for truck fuel in the Rochelle area.

My new truck had fuel from BP in downtown Dixon and had to be towed back to the dealer and drained. Dixon area, better stay with D&D down by the tollway on Rt. 26, according to the guys at Ken Nelson.

I filled up in Rochelle at BP across from Petro over the weekend, notice how they state on the pump that the fuel is not a "BP Product" and no warranty is implied with the purchase of that fuel.

Funny thing is we don't have any trouble with tractors gelling using #2 B11 during winter use (clearing snow, etc.). How come these truck stops can't keep this fuel in better condition?

The BP station next to the Petro is where I had issues last week. I have a friend that works for BP that I called and he told me that BP does not make diesel in the midwest. I have been using Petro since then with no issues. I know that the BP station there is using B11 along with the station on the south side of Rochelle. I talked to the manager at Petro and he claimed they mixed the B11 with #1 during starting December 1st and will continue until March. He said the fuel was good to 10 below on it's own but recommended using Power Service diesel additive to prevent gelling. By adding the recommended amount it should drop it to 25 - 30 below.

I have gelled twice. Both times it was flying J FUEL. once at Des monies and once at I 35 near the Mn border. Mind you both nights were really cold >-20 and both nights I had additive in tank.:confused: Don't put all your faith in these additives....If its going to be really cold leave it run.....

this year I have been running the power service anti-gel in mine. No issues and I fill up my truck only on the same stations when Im in town. Also, I double up in quantity wise when its really cold outside. Not sure if it makes a dieerence but I do that anyway. I been on the Petro truck stop as well but I never bought any fuel there. I heard that the sell bio there for my old mercedes.

All I can say, is if you want your Duramax shut down on you, run B10 in the winter.

I tanked up at the Marengo / Elgin IL TA truck stop Wednesday night on my way to Minneapolis. It was going to be below zero so I dosed up heavy on the Power Service. As soon as I got back on the Interstate, My fuel economy on the DIS was 3 MPG lower. I couldn't figure it out! 45 minutes later, I was limping off the road in Madison WI as I couldn't get more than 2000 RPM out of it. It was -4 in Madison.

I figured it was bad fuel so changed the filter at the Madison TA. I topped it off with diesel to dilute the "bad" fuel and continued on for 4 hours.

About an hour outside of Minneapolis, I was limping off the road again and couldn't get 1500 RPM out of it! The temp was -19 at that time. How could I have gelled using a good dose of Powerservice? I was able to idle the truck and caught some shut eye and stay warm at a truck stop.

Next day, I had the dealer look at it in Hudson WI. Filter was clogged again! The Service Manager was very helpful and said the problem with B10 fuel is the paraffins (waxes) in the fuel don't easily pass through the Duramax filters. Our filters have an extremely fine micron pass-through. He said additives may prevent gelling but wont dissolve the paraffins.

It is apparent that the ignorant Illinois government could care less about you breaking down on the side of the road at below zero temperatures! As long as they feel good about renewable energy. I checked with the TA Manager on my way back and he said he doesn't trust the B10 as it is only winterized to -10. He wasn't aware of the paraffin problem.

So, don't use B10 in your Duramax unless it is Summer. You can't trust the garbage paraffins in the winter.

So how do you find good fuel and what questions should you ask? 9 times out of 10 the cashier is completely clueless and there is no one else there.

i try to use my local meijer to fill up, never had any issues, other post lately have had people complaining about gelling issues, well i have never had issues and i just got back from a work trip where my truck sat ouside in 3 straight nights at no higher than about 7 degrees outside not plugged in or no winter front.

Moved to Bio-Diesel/Alternative Fuels and Supplements...

See the info. from another thread. BTW - I don't think Indiana mandates a high percentage of bio. The same refinery makes a totally different (lower) bio blend for the IN retailers.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3077959&postcount=59

i try to use my local meijer to fill up, never had any issues, other post lately have had people complaining about gelling issues, well i have never had issues and i just got back from a work trip where my truck sat ouside in 3 straight nights at no higher than about 7 degrees outside not plugged in or no winter front.


Most gel issues happen when it drops below -10F with -20F being a danger point. Many stations only treat the fuel to -10F and will be ok most winters. They are supposed to treat to the lowest temps expected and some do, but that costs more $ - so they try and balance on the edge of a knife. Sadly, it's us that gets cut and not them.

I park outside everyday and, it was -32F on the truck the other day. It wouldn't start without being plugged in as there are some glow plugs I suspect are bad. But a triple dose of Howes and it didn't gel a lick.

Some times a cold snap will drop down from Canada and surprise the stations and there will be a nasty run on additives. If it's projected to get real cold real fast, a triple dose always goes in the tank as the additives prevent gel, not cure it. (Except the 911 type products).

jb

Mine gelled up last week when the temps were so cold, about -25. I have contacted the gas station to file a claim with them. It will be interesting to see what the station says about this situation.

All I can say, is if you want your Duramax shut down on you, run B10 in the winter.

I tanked up at the Marengo / Elgin IL TA truck stop Wednesday night on my way to Minneapolis. It was going to be below zero so I dosed up heavy on the Power Service. As soon as I got back on the Interstate, My fuel economy on the DIS was 3 MPG lower. I couldn't figure it out! 45 minutes later, I was limping off the road in Madison WI as I couldn't get more than 2000 RPM out of it. It was -4 in Madison.

I figured it was bad fuel so changed the filter at the Madison TA. I topped it off with diesel to dilute the "bad" fuel and continued on for 4 hours.

About an hour outside of Minneapolis, I was limping off the road again and couldn't get 1500 RPM out of it! The temp was -19 at that time. How could I have gelled using a good dose of Powerservice? I was able to idle the truck and caught some shut eye and stay warm at a truck stop.

Next day, I had the dealer look at it in Hudson WI. Filter was clogged again! The Service Manager was very helpful and said the problem with B10 fuel is the paraffins (waxes) in the fuel don't easily pass through the Duramax filters. Our filters have an extremely fine micron pass-through. He said additives may prevent gelling but wont dissolve the paraffins.

It is apparent that the ignorant Illinois government could care less about you breaking down on the side of the road at below zero temperatures! As long as they feel good about renewable energy. I checked with the TA Manager on my way back and he said he doesn't trust the B10 as it is only winterized to -10. He wasn't aware of the paraffin problem.

So, don't use B10 in your Duramax unless it is Summer. You can't trust the garbage paraffins in the winter.

This guy is right on!!! Take note on what he says. Every station at that truck stop uses B11 bio. Trust me, I've been down that miserable road. FYI.... Meijer diesel fuel is NOT bio. Go buy a bag of chips and fill up.

Do you know if all Meijer stops are straight diesel? I am in Central IL near Springfield and have had nothing but trouble with mine, I have yet to find any stations without bio. I thought the road ranger/pilot on Sangamon Ave in Springfield was low or no bio and found it was B12! I filled up anyway because I havent had any issues through there. I may call Meijer and try them. This is BS! I have installed about 5 filters so far this year and it needs another. The truck is currently down on power from a bad bio fill-up by my wife. Of course she blames it on the truck not herself! Why in the hell IL wont lift the bio rule through the winter. I guess someone will need to gel at about -20 and freeze to death, then they will think about it but still not do it.