Diesel fuel tends to freeze at low temperatures - its performance characteristics are significantly reduced.
Recently, car owners often come across low-quality diesel fuel, which completely freezes in winter. Drivers have to call a tow truck, transport the car to a warm place and warm up the fuel tank.
In this case, some simply drain the old diesel, rinse the tank and fill in new good diesel fuel. However, there is another way to correct the current situation - to use special additives, which are collectively called “antigel”.
What is an antigel and what properties does it have?
Antigel for diesel fuel is a liquid that helps improve the low-temperature characteristics of diesel fuel. The principle of its operation is to envelop the paraffin crystals present in the fuel, preventing their spread and increase in size.
This allows you to maintain optimal diesel fluidity even at very low temperatures. The high pressure fuel pump experiences less load and the filter does not become clogged. This facilitates the operation of the entire fuel system and engine starting in severe frosts.
Among the main properties of antigel for diesel fuel are:
- Preventing diesel fuel from freezing
- High frost resistance
- Protection against clogging of the fuel filter
- The presence of lubricants in the composition and the absence of alcohol
- Ability to remove internal condensate from the fuel tank
- Ensuring fast and trouble-free engine starting
Main types of antigels for diesel fuel and requirements for them
copolymers of ethylene with polar monomers are widely available on the market.
. However, they have very mediocre characteristics, so they will gradually be replaced by more advanced materials.
Polymethacrylate additives are currently becoming widespread
, due to their low cost and satisfactory quality.
Less common are polyolefin type products
due to the fact that they significantly worsen the filterability coefficient of diesel fuel.
Non-polymer depressant additives
used to improve the properties of other additives.
The best option for use in the weather conditions of our country are polymethacrylate and non-polymer antigels.
Sulfur, which is part of diesel fuel, has good lubricity, but modern diesel fuel, in accordance with international environmental standards, contains a small amount of it.
For this reason, various multifunctional additives have to be added to diesel, which have the following requirements:
- Ensuring high protection of all components of the fuel system and maintaining their maximum service life
- Reducing the filterability and pour point of diesel fuel
- Increasing the lubricating properties of diesel fuel
- Maintaining constant cleanliness of injectors and other fuel system components
- Correction of the cetane number (the period of time from the injection of diesel into the cylinder until the start of its combustion (the cetane number of diesel fuel must be at least 48 units))
To reduce engine wear and extend its service life, of course, it is necessary to use a high-quality antigel that has all the above properties. However, the cost of such material is usually higher.
Experts consider it unnecessary to add additives to good diesel fuel - you just need to add summer fuel in the summer, and winter fuel in the winter. But it’s not always possible to find high-quality diesel, so the use of anti-gel in cold weather still has its place.
Other popular brands of anti-gels
The above antigels can be called the most popular, however, there are a number of other similar products that are in less demand, but also have good quality
The list of manufacturers you should pay attention to should definitely include:
- 3TON. Triton is an American brand that produces auto chemicals of the best quality. The wide range includes products for diesel systems.
- LAVR. A Russian brand that specializes in the development of auto chemicals. Inexpensive anti-gels from this manufacturer meet all modern requirements.
- FENOM. This is another Russian manufacturer with a large product catalog.
- Wynn's. Automobile chemicals under this name are produced in Belgium, but due to their good quality they are known in many countries.
- GUNK. This brand can be called the oldest auto chemical company in America.
- KERRY. The head office and production facilities of this company are located in Russia. The brand has been operating since 1999. During this time, it has managed to expand the catalog to 170 items, including several types of anti-gels.
How to use anti-gel?
Full information on the use of the antigel is always indicated in the instructions for its use. It is important to adhere to the liquid dosage values indicated in it, because... the maximum effect is achieved only at a certain concentration.
Since the antigel does not destroy paraffin crystals, but prevents their formation, it must be poured in advance - used as a preventive measure. For the product to work, you only need to add it to warm fuel. Additives tend to freeze, so they cannot be stored at temperatures below 0 ºС.
In severe frost conditions, the use of anti-gel is possible on an ongoing basis. If paraffin crystals have already formed in the diesel fuel and the engine begins to operate unstably, then in such a situation it is necessary to use a special diesel fuel defroster.
Now at many gas stations you can find winter diesel fuel, which already contains antigel. Its additional use may cause an increase in the pour point of diesel fuel.
It is necessary to refuel at proven gas stations so as not to receive all-season or summer diesel fuel instead of high-quality winter diesel fuel.
In case of constant use of low-quality diesel engine, the engine begins to work intermittently, because... injectors become clogged. Cleaning additives are used to clean them.
Always carefully read the instructions for using the anti-gel! Its dosage for summer and winter diesel fuel is different. There are also super-concentrated formulations designed for large amounts of fuel.
You cannot add antigel to gasoline! High-quality fuel should not freeze even at very low temperatures. If any malfunctions were detected in the operation of the engine in frosty weather, it means that moisture has entered the tank or the quality of gasoline is very low. To get rid of water in the gas tank, you need to use a special moisture remover.
How does antigel work in diesel fuel?
First of all, you need to understand how negative temperatures affect diesel fuel. At the beginning of hardening, small clots appear, the consistency of which resembles a gel, and the diesel fuel becomes cloudy. The next stage is the formation of paraffin, which clogs filters and fuel lines, complicating the problem even more. To avoid such problems, special depressant additives called antigels are used. They work like this:
- When added to fuel, the product envelops only the formed paraffin particles and prevents them from growing, eliminating clogging of tubes and filter elements.
- It also affects gel-like formations, gradually destroying the bond between particles and improving the fluidity of diesel fuel.
- The pour point shifts by 10-20°C, which allows for normal diesel operation even in frosts below -30°C.
- When using the additive, the fuel still becomes cloudy - this is a normal reaction, since the antigel begins to work only when the paraffin hardens: it does not prevent, but stops its formation.
If the diesel fuel has already frozen in the tank or pipes, adding anti-gel will not have any effect, since it does not destroy the paraffin. In this case, you need to use a special defrost. Its composition is almost the same, but the concentration of active ingredients is much higher.
Advice!
In cold weather, it is advisable to refuel with winter diesel fuel (“Arctic”), its solidification threshold is much lower. But even in this case, it is worth pouring an additive into the tank if a strong drop in temperature is predicted for the night.
Features of choosing an antigel and what factors influence its effectiveness?
The main points to pay attention to when choosing a product are:
- Well-known and reliable manufacturer - products from unknown companies often do not undergo proper quality and composition checks.
- Lower temperature limit - the higher this indicator, the better the fluidity of the diesel engine in frosty weather.
- Environmental friendliness of the composition - in the CIS countries less attention is paid to this indicator, so it is better to choose imported products.
The effectiveness of the antigel depends not only on its brand and price, but also on the following factors:
- Molecular weight and structure
- Concentrations
- Cloud point (formation of insoluble suspension), pour point (not higher than -20 °C for winter antigels) and filterability (ability to pass through fuel filters)
- Chemical composition (content of solid hydrocarbons and asphalt-resinous substances) and viscosity of diesel fuel
The wrong choice of anti-gel can lead to breakdown of the entire fuel system and significant expenses for its restoration, so you should approach this issue responsibly.
Choosing the best antigel
To purchase the best option, you need to consider several important points. Knowing them, it will not be difficult to choose a good composition in any car store. You should not buy automotive chemicals in markets and dubious roadside pavilions; they often sell low-quality products there. When choosing, there are several important aspects to consider:
- Freezing temperature is an important, but not the main factor. You need to select with a margin, so that even with a maximum drop in temperature to the limit, about 10 degrees remain.
- The filterability limit temperature is the most significant indicator. It shows at what temperature limit diesel fuel retains its normal consistency and can pass through filters without problems.
- Consumption rate. It often happens that cheap options need to be added in a much larger proportion than expensive ones, and as a result, instead of saving, the buyer spends even more money. Therefore, you need to clarify this point in order to calculate which type is more profitable to buy.
- Positive effect on the fuel system, absence of factors that reduce engine life. An increase in the lubricating characteristics of diesel fuel is also inherent in high-quality additives.
- User reviews. It is advisable to study the opinions of other drivers about this or that variety. You can read specialized resources or forums on the Internet, or you can chat with friends.
It is also important to pay attention to the production time - the fresher the composition, the better. Over time, performance inevitably deteriorates, so it's best not to take risks. And remember that even the best additive will not protect low-quality diesel fuel from freezing.
Review of antigels for diesel fuel
The leader in sales is Liqui Moly Diesel Fliess-Fit
. It preserves the original properties of diesel fuel and ensures its performance in frosty weather at temperatures down to -50 °C.
The additive is added before filling the tank.
- Scope of application: diesel engines of cars and trucks
- Safe for vehicle systems (does not contain chemical solvents)
- Designed to meet environmental standards
- Improves lubrication of fuel equipment
- Concentrated composition (25 ml of additive per 25 liters of fuel)
- Flash point – +63 °C
Antigel Felix
even at very low temperatures allows the fuel to remain liquid thanks to its improved chemical formula.
The liquid is available in the form of a concentrate, so it is very important to follow the instructions and fill it in accordance with the indicated dosage - from 1:800 to 1:1500. One bottle of the additive (340 ml) is designed for 250-500 liters of fuel.
- Freezing temperature of winter diesel – up to -57 °C (summer – up to -31 °C)
- Neutralizes water condensation in the fuel tank
- Filterability temperatures – up to -40 °C
Mannol Winter Diesel
has a pour point down to -47 °C, therefore effectively preventing the growth of paraffin crystals in diesel fuel at extremely low temperatures.
Antigel is added to diesel before or immediately after refueling in a ratio of 250 ml of liquid per 250 liters of fuel.
- Filterability temperature – up to -36 °C
- Does not form ash deposits
- Keeps components and parts of the fuel system clean thanks to the presence of detergents in the composition
- Has anti-corrosion properties
- Neutralizes water condensation in the fuel tank
Antigel Hi-Gear
allows the operation of diesel engines at temperatures down to -47 °C. Real tests and popularity among consumers confirm the effectiveness of this product.
The composition is poured into the fuel tank before refueling in a ratio of 1:500.
- Neutralizes water condensation in the fuel tank
- Prevents corrosion formation
- Compositions are available with synthetic metal conditioners SMT2 (reduces wear of injectors and plunger pairs of the high-pressure fuel pump) and ER (extends the service life of components and systems, reducing friction)
Efficiency of Shell Diesel Depresser
depends on the type of paraffins and their content in diesel fuel.
The antigel does not have the highest frost-resistant characteristics - the pour point is up to -26 °C.
Liquid is added to the tank before filling with diesel fuel in a ratio of 10 ml per 10 liters of fuel.
Anti -Gel
not only significantly reduces the pour point of diesel fuel, but also has good lubricating properties at its relatively low cost.
The liquid is introduced into diesel fuel at the highest possible temperature in a ratio of 1: 1000 to 1: 500.
- Ultimate filtration temperature – up to -36 °C
- Freezing temperature – up to -40 °C
- Significantly reduces cetane number
- Type of vehicle – passenger cars
Anti-gel super concentrate XADO
contains a revitalizant that protects the high-pressure pump by lubricating a precision plunger pair, which allows you to increase its service life several times.
An additive is added to transparent fuel heated to a temperature of +20...25 °C at the rate of 1 ml of liquid per 1 liter of fuel.
- Operating temperature – up to -47 °C
- Contains cetane-increasing components
- Suitable for all diesel engine power systems (including Common-Rail and pump-injectors (Pumpe-Duse))
- Has anti-corrosion properties
- Increases fuel lubricity
Domestic superantigel SPECTROL
prevents the growth of paraffin crystals and reduces the pour point of winter diesel fuel to -45 °C.
The Spectrol brand is the only Russian brand that has gained distribution in the American market.
Astrohim product
maintains the fluidity of diesel fuel at low temperatures down to -52 °C.
The additive is added to diesel at the rate of one bottle per specified volume of fuel.
- Contains lubricating additives (BASF additive package)
- Designed taking into account the characteristics of Russian diesel fuel
- Safe for all elements of the fuel system
- Suitable for all diesel engine power systems (including Common-Rail and pump-injectors (Pumpe-Duse))
- It is a leader in many comparative tests (in some indicators it is even ahead of imported products)
Antigel Suprotec
reduces the freezing point of diesel fuel to -45 ºС and increases the service life of the engine fuel system due to the presence of lubricants in the composition.
- Used for servicing passenger cars
- Increases cetane number
Of course, the range of anti-gels is much wider, it is constantly updated with new products, so the list presented is not exhaustive.
