Anti-Gel Additive

deathtrap

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2018
Location
Whitby, ON
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 1992 Golf GL = Future ALH candidate
Hi fellas,

This question is especially for GTA/Durham peeps. Have you ever had to use an anti-gel additive (I have a MK4 if that matters)? What is the one to get?

Thanks,
J
 

Johhny04

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Location
Markham, Ontario
TDI
2003 Jetta TDi
I've never had to use it. But if you need to use something, Power Service has products readily available at Canadian Tire. There are also many other brands available that would work too.
 

maxmoo

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Location
Lakefield, Ontario, Canada
TDI
2000 golf, 2001 golf, 2000 beetle, 2003 wagon, 2004 golf, 2004 jetta, all diesels

amit9

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2004
Location
Toronto/Scarborough
TDI
None...
I've never had to use it. But if you need to use something, Power Service has products readily available at Canadian Tire. There are also many other brands available that would work too.
+1 for Power Service, the white bottle/jug is what you want for winter:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-boost-winterizing-anti-gel-0380726p.html#srp

I really like "Howes Meaner Power Kleaner".

helps to prevent gelling.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-diesel-injector-cleaner-946-ml-0380941p.html
Does not mention it on the product page about it having any anti-gelling properties?

https://www.howeslube.com/meanerpowerkleaner.php


This is their anti-gel product: https://www.howeslube.com/dieseltreat.php
 

maxmoo

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Location
Lakefield, Ontario, Canada
TDI
2000 golf, 2001 golf, 2000 beetle, 2003 wagon, 2004 golf, 2004 jetta, all diesels
+1 for Power Service, the white bottle/jug is what you want for winter:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-boost-winterizing-anti-gel-0380726p.html#srp



Does not mention it on the product page about it having any anti-gelling properties?


https://www.howeslube.com/meanerpowerkleaner.php

I know, but it really does prevent gelling.
We have used it for about a dozen years on agricultural equiptment, trucks and a fleet of TDI's....never had gelling on any vehicle with it in the fuel....and I have seen gelling when not used.
Read some of these reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/product-revi...ll_reviews&filterByStar=positive&pageNumber=1
 

Xpdite

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Location
Whitby, Ontario
TDI
2013 Passat TDI
I used to drive truck for a living and we always added AntiGel as the manufactures only add the minimum. With the cold weather we have been having I think it is better safe than sorry.
I know Princess Auto sells the 1 liter bottle of Cleanflo which I keep in my trunk. Add a shot class worth every fill up. Never had a problem
 

mogly

Veteran Member
Joined
May 27, 2003
Location
Sarnia, ON, Canada
TDI
MKIV TDI + B5.5V AVF/01E
Gelling does occur. In that last cold snap was driving our F800 with a Cummins. Was driving but kept loosing power to the point of almost stalling. Pull over and idle for 2-3 minutes, power would return. Classic gelling symptom, engine heat will warm the fuel filter enough to melt gelling. Drive 5 or less minutes same symptom occur. Slow drive back to the shop. haha. Added 20L fresh winter diesel and warm from shop storage. All symptoms gone. Granted this truck was last used and filled up in early Fall, hence would have summer diesel.
 

deathtrap

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2018
Location
Whitby, ON
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 1992 Golf GL = Future ALH candidate
Gelling does occur. In that last cold snap was driving our F800 with a Cummins. Was driving but kept loosing power to the point of almost stalling. Pull over and idle for 2-3 minutes, power would return. Classic gelling symptom, engine heat will warm the fuel filter enough to melt gelling. Drive 5 or less minutes same symptom occur. Slow drive back to the shop. haha. Added 20L fresh winter diesel and warm from shop storage. All symptoms gone. Granted this truck was last used and filled up in early Fall, hence would have summer diesel.
Dude then thats what it must have been.
That's how the car feels. It seems to only really act up when cold.
My uncle admitted that he hasn't changed the fuel filter in a long time so that probably doesn't help.
I've listened to this podcast and the guys say Power Service is good enough.

https://youtu.be/5x_KtCVXjwE

TLDL: 2 "glugs" should do the trick at a quarter tank prior to filling up but like others say in this post, I'll do 4 to start. I'll also be replacing my fuel filter once every fall to keep this from happening but you just never know. I'd rather be safe than sorry esp with a kid on the way!
 

imo000

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Location
Cambridge
TDI
2009 M-B ML320 Diesel & '05 Passat TDI Manual 5-Speed
Never had to use anything other than diesel from the local gas station. If your fuel is gelling than it's too old and doesn't have the additives that the refinery adds for the winter months. I can see this happening to farm equipment that sits for a long time with the same tank of diesel in it but shouldn't be happening to a daily driver.
 

deathtrap

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2018
Location
Whitby, ON
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 1992 Golf GL = Future ALH candidate
Never had to use anything other than diesel from the local gas station. If your fuel is gelling than it's too old and doesn't have the additives that the refinery adds for the winter months. I can see this happening to farm equipment that sits for a long time with the same tank of diesel in it but shouldn't be happening to a daily driver.
Maybe its something else. I notice that it lurches/hesitates even with the accelerator pedal to the floor during those few mins before cluster temp gauge shows 90. Is that just normal?
 
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dandywriter

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Location
Ottawa (Kanata), Canada, eh?
TDI
2014 Golf Wagon 6M
I've had gelling once - suspect fuel was not treated at an Esso station. -35C. I was one of a few irritated owners who had fueled there when I went in to comment (complain) - got a shrug. I haven't gone back to an Esso station again.

I use normal dose PS White. After, I see they recommend double dosing when it is below 0F/-18C. I now do that and haven't had any problems. I also now carry Diesel 911 - just in case.
https://powerservice.com/psp_product/diesel-fuel-supplement-cetane-boost/ then hit "directions" tab.
"Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost prevents fuel gelling and protects against fuel-filter icing."
 

deathtrap

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2018
Location
Whitby, ON
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 1992 Golf GL = Future ALH candidate
I've had gelling once - suspect fuel was not treated at an Esso station. -35C. I was one of a few irritated owners who had fueled there when I went in to comment (complain) - got a shrug. I haven't gone back to an Esso station again.

I use normal dose PS White. After, I see they recommend double dosing when it is below 0F/-18C. I now do that and haven't had any problems. I also now carry Diesel 911 - just in case.
https://powerservice.com/psp_product/diesel-fuel-supplement-cetane-boost/ then hit "directions" tab.
"Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost prevents fuel gelling and protects against fuel-filter icing."

Yup I've been going to this Esso station in Whitby.
Weird because the last couple days I haven't been getting the bucking/lurching but it has been warmer. I'm at a half tank.
Yes moving forward I'll be using PS White as well and only running VPower Diesel instead (been told its got highest cetane among all up here from all the additives)
 

amit9

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2004
Location
Toronto/Scarborough
TDI
None...
When do the gas stations start getting the summer diesel in the GTA? And when do they switch to the winter diesel in the GTA?
 

Peytron

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Location
Canada
TDI
Jetta
When do the gas stations start getting the summer diesel in the GTA? And when do they switch to the winter diesel in the GTA?

I do believe winter blend is October through March. Based on the mileage on my current tank, summer diesel is back at least where I filled.
 
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