Antigel for diesel fuel. How not to freeze?
Content
Classification of diesel fuel according to GOST
The standard for diesel fuel was updated in the Russian Federation in 2013. According to GOST 305-2013, diesel fuel is divided into 4 main categories according to freezing temperature.
- Summer. It ceases to be normally pumped through the fuel system already at a temperature of -5 ° C. Some outdated cars, with a satisfactory condition of the injection pump, can still start at a temperature of 7-8 degrees below zero. But at -10 ° C, diesel fuel freezes to the state of jelly in the filter and lines. And the motor fails.
- Off-season. Suitable for operation at ambient temperatures down to -15 °C. Used in the Russian Federation is limited.
- Winter. Hardens at -35 °C. The main type of fuel in most regions of the Russian Federation in winter.
- Arctic. The most resistant to low temperatures diesel fuel. The pour point of this type according to GOST exceeds -45 ° C. For regions of the far north, where frosts drop below 45 degrees in winter, diesel fuel is produced with special technical conditions with a freezing point lower than prescribed in GOST.
As the results of independent audits have shown, today the vast majority of filling stations in Russia comply with these standards.
Why does diesel fuel freeze?
In summer, gas stations import summer diesel fuel, as it makes no sense for oil and gas companies to sell winter diesel fuel, which is more expensive to produce. Before the change of season, the summer diesel fuel at gas stations is changed to winter.
However, not all car owners have time to roll out a tank of summer fuel. And some gas stations do not have time to sell the reserves available in the reserves. And with a sharp cold snap, the owners of diesel cars start having problems.
Diesel fuel freezes because it contains complex paraffins. It is a waxy substance with a low crystallization temperature. Paraffin hardens when the temperature drops and clogs the pores of the fuel filter. The fuel system is failing.
How does an antigel work?
Diesel anti-gel is a concentrate additive in summer fuel that increases its resistance to negative temperatures. Today, quite a lot of different antigels are produced. But the essence of their action is the same.
Even before the temperature drops below the paraffin crystallization point, the antigel must be poured into a gas tank or a container with fuel. It is important to keep the proportion. Anti-gel in excess can adversely affect the details of the fuel system. And its lack will not have the desired effect.
The chemically active substances of the antigel combine with heavy hydrocarbons, which tend to form crystals at low temperatures. The connection occurs at the material level, the fuel does not undergo chemical transformations. Due to this, paraffin is not collected in crystals and does not precipitate. The fuel retains fluidity and pumpability.
A Brief Overview of Diesel Antigels
Of all the variety of antingels on the market, which one is better? There is no single answer to this question. Independent studies have shown that all antigels are more or less effective. The main difference lies in the price and recommended dosage.
Consider two popular representatives of these funds in the Russian market.
- Antigel Hi-Gear. Found on the shelves most often. Available in containers of 200 and 325 ml. It is diluted in a ratio of 1:500. That is, for 10 liters of diesel, 20 grams of additive will be needed. The price of Hi-Gear antigel is at the average level among other representatives of these products.
- Antigel Liqui Moly. Sold in containers of 150 ml. The recommended proportion is 1:1000 (only 10 grams of the additive is added to 10 liters of diesel fuel). It costs an average of 20-30% more than the analogue from Hi-Gear. Feedback from car owners indicates that for a good effect, it is desirable to increase the dosage of the additive by about 20%. The proportion recommended by the manufacturer is rather weak, and small crystals of paraffin still precipitate.
Other representatives of anti-freeze additives in diesel fuel are less common. But they all work pretty much the same.
