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How to Use RED ALERT Diesel Treatment

February 11, 2021

Written By Zach Studer

When your fuel has gelled or fuel filters have frozen, RED ALERT, an emergency fuel treatment, can quickly remedy the problem and restore fuel flow to the engine.

Overnight RED ALERT Strategy                                   

If your fuel appears gelled prior to operation, follow these steps:

1. Spin fuel filter and saturate the filter with contents of one 32 oz-bottle of RED ALERT. 
2. Pour the remaining contents of the bottle and one additional bottle into the saddle tank.
3. The overall treatment ratio should not exceed one 32 oz. bottle of RED ALERT per 50 gallons of diesel fuel.
4. Wait for 30 to 60 minutes before attempting to start the engine.
5. It is imperative to let the engine idle for an additional 30-45 minutes before leaving the yard. This will allow warm fuel to return to fuel tanks and vital engine components, where it will dissolve any wax or ice left in fuel. If adequate warm-up time is not allowed, heavy waxy fuel will load up the fuel system, and the engine will shut down due to fuel starvation.

Extended Shutdown and/or Extreme Overnight RED ALERT Strategy

If your equipment is going to be shut off for an extended period of time and ambient temperatures are expected to reach 0°F or below, we recommend hooking a 110-volt block heater up to the engine as soon as its shut down. Follow the steps below to proactively keep your fuel and filters from gelling.

1. Add RED ALERT directly to the saddle tank.
2. The overall treatment ratio should not exceed one 32 oz. bottle of RED ALERT per 50 gallons of diesel fuel.
3. Idle or run engine for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure all fuel and the filter is treated.
4. It is imperative to let the engine idle for an additional 30-45 minutes before leaving the yard. This will allow warm fuel to return to fuel tanks and vital engine components, where it will dissolve any wax or ice left in fuel. If adequate warm-up time is not allowed, heavy waxy fuel will load up the fuel system, and the engine will shut down due to fuel starvation.

Additional Considerations

• Always top up fuel tanks before equipment is shut down.
• Always test equipment fuel for entrained water content. Constantly monitor fuel/water separators and rigorously maintain above and beyond scheduled preventive maintenance inspection & service.
• Be proactive instead of reactive. Prepare your equipment beforehand in anticipation of cold weather.
• If you still have MFA Oil’s Ice Eater on hand, you can use it just like the Red Alert.
• NOTICE:  Do NOT use Red Alert or Ice Eater in your bulk storage tanks. These products are for vehicle fuel tank use only.
• While these products can be used for preventative measures, the extended use can cause damage to engines. RED ALERT and Ice Eater are for limited use only.
• If you have questions about fuel additives, tank maintenance or fuel analysis, contact the MFA Oil laboratory by calling (800) MFA-LUBE or emailing [email protected].

Always review the MSDS for safety and handling procedures.