Diesel Waxing

[Bigfeet]

DIESEL FUEL WAXING

I’ve noticed an increase in the number of customers who’ve needed to have their diesel vehicle’s fuel filter changed, thanks to the cold weather. It’s nothing peculiar to Citroën vehicles; many vehicles from different manufacturers are affected.

Why does it happen?

When it gets very cold, wax particles can form in diesel which blocks the fuel filter, starving the engine of fuel causing the engine to not start or stall soon after starting.

Once they’ve formed, even if the temperature of the fuel is increased, the particles won’t dissolve so the filter needs to be changed.

Diesel should contain additives to help lower the temperature at which these wax particles form. This treated fuel is known as winter diesel and it should be supplied by all fuel retailers between November and March.

Advice to help customers

To avoid the possibility of fuel waxing, here are a few simple tips:

• Park the vehicle in a garage or sheltered spot if cold weather is expected
• Park vehicles outside pointing away from wintry gusts
• Ensure only winter diesel is used during spells of cold weather; if the standard of fuel is not known, use a fuel additive to increase the protection of the fuel down to -30oC
• Keep the vehicle fuel tank topped up to prevent condensation building up inside the tank, which can then freeze and cause ice crystals to form in the fuel.

With thanks to ND & Quality/Letter/111

[lfcrule1972]

Thanks Biggie, I see more snow if forecast this weekend....

[Quazzo]

Wonder if fuel waxing may be linked since the weather been cold my car from cold start lite throttle the engine not running smooth 30mph also my fuel consumption dropped by 10 mpg

[Den]

Fuel consumption always drops in the cold.

[Bensds3]

Fuel consumption always drops in the cold.

According to Zack it runs better in the cold because of the cool air, for me im loosing serious MPG and it runs like a dog on startup.

[Den]

Zack is a fool.

A quick google search brings up the answers but a quote from pistonheads:

A few reasons really - And petrols are no different either...

1 ~ Cold air is more dense (meaning in effect more air in the cylinders), so more fuel can be burnt - Which means you get more power When you least want it

2 ~ As the ambient temperature is much lower, it takes much longer for the car to warm up, and as a result injector durations stay longer for longer (think - having teh choke on for longer in say, an old mini) - All assuming that is, that you drive a modern diesel with common rail injection (Which are mapped in much the same way as petrol engines now)

3 ~ Higher electrical loads - heater on longer, lights on morning and evening, heated rear screen etc) meaning the alternator has to work harder, creating a slightly higher load on the engine, which requires a sloght increase in fueling

Add in the fact that yu probably also leave the car running for 5 minutes or so in the morning whilst you defrost the windows, and Bingo, higher fuel consumption.

[lfcrule1972]

Nice explanation Den, I prefer the one about Jack Frost syphoning it off whilst I sleep

[billy smith]

might also like to point out that cheap supermarket ie asda/morrisons/tesco diesel fuel contains 7-8% bio deisel. shell/texaco/total/esso contains 2-3% bio deisel. was told this by the rac bloke who had to follow us to the dealership as our motor needed a new dpf fitted as a forced regen wouldnt work and me n mrs had tried to do what it says in the handbook but that didnt work either so take heed cheap diesels good for the summer not the winter

[Quazzo]

Yesturday Thursday on the way in to work car lost all power engine managment light come on quick scan at work showed code P0087 Powertrain Fuel and Air metering - Fuel pressue / system pressure too low , AA recoved to local garage they found the problem blocked fuel filter they said caused by supermarket fuels best part Citroen picked up the bill still not sure why they covered the cost TOP service to my local garage very prompt service they offered car all fixed running like a dream again

[Chris_Blue]

Which dealership Quazzo?

[Quazzo]

Which dealership Quazzo?

Worthing Motors

[Chris_Blue]

Seem pretty helpful- will remember that if I get issues at Brighton - not that I am expecting them.
Brighton dealers pretty good so far too
c u next meet at Dyke

[Quazzo]

all wrong really you buy a diesel to save fuel and you have to avoid supermarket cheaper fuel for the winter months mmmm where is the logic in that

[Chris_Blue]

Cant you get some sort of additive Quazzo

[Quazzo]

if there is some sort of additive wouldnt be worth putting in time you bought that your be up to the price of BP , Shell prices