Understanding Icebreaker: A diesel fuel anti-gel

Diesel-fueled cars make up approximately a third of all cars sold annually, and diesel fuel powers a little over 20% of all vehicles on Australian roads. When considering off-road use, a compelling case for diesel being the most important internal combustion engine fuel can easily be made.

Diesel, by nature, contains dissolved wax. Wax is critical to diesel fuel engines as it has a high Cetane (CN) value, which provides excellent ignition properties that are naturally important for a smooth and efficient running compression ignition diesel motor. However, having wax in its composition does have inherent problems for operation when cold conditions occur on the eastern side of the country and in some desert areas.

As the fuel cools, the wax molecules start to fall out of the solution and then link with others to create larger structures. This is first indicated by the fuel going cloudy. Once larger wax structures start to form, trouble can hit in the form of blocked fuel altereds, fuel lines, pick-ups and alike. Sometimes, even cold but cloudy fuel can block ne matrix fuel filters and stop engines from starting.

Fuel reners monitor weather patterns and blend pour point depressants and dedicated additives into their diesel to off-set, negate or prevent diesel fuel gelling. Depending on the time of year, geographic location, and historical considerations, fuel sourced via service station bowsers or delivered to onsite tanks may be summer blends (non-additised) or winter blends (additised), and in some cases, alpine blends, which are highly additised to combat the most severe cold conditions we experience in Australia.

Available in two forms: 

1. 250ml ready-to-use

•  Tailored specifically for retail sale to treat one full tank of fuel (100lt).
• Ideal for cars, SUVs, 4wds and smaller trucks.

2. A concentrate in 1L chamber packs

• Available in 5L, 20L, 205L and 1000L IBC.
• It ideally suits in-ground service station tanks, above and below-ground bulk tanks on site, larger trucks, and other commercial equipment/plants.
• Icebreaker is a non-ash producing cold 0w / cold performance-improving additive for traditional
• diesel and bio-diesel fuels. Regular use of Icebreaker in cold weather conditions will smooth out fuel performance quality for consistent results during critical times of the year.

• Always add Icebreaker to fuel in advance of cold weather setting in.
• Add Icebreaker to the fuel when the fuel is at its warmest, or above the cloud point.
• For best results add Icebreaker to the vehicle or bulk storage tank, then add fuel to aid dilution and dispersement of Icebreaker within the fuel system or storage vessel.
• Icebreaker works at its most efficient as a preventative; once the untreated fuel is affected by the cold, and the cloud point or cold filter plug point is reached, Icebreaker’s effectiveness is negated.