Diesel in Winter

[Blk88GT]

In Canada we automatically get winter blended diesel (#1) like you guys do in AK. The US on the other hand, seems to have a number of choices at the pump year round.

I change my fuel filter often because it's WAY cheaper than a set of injectors.

 

[volcano buster]

Don't be afraid to change your oil.

I have a logging contractor that works for me and has a habit of changing the engine oil in his Diesels at 3000 miles. Might seem excessive but he did this on a couple 7.3 PS engines and the first lasted 375K before the body gave out and sold the truck for $2500 and the second he ran to 430K and the body gave out and sold the truck from $1800. The engines hardly smoked and still made good power even with that many miles.

Granted, I doubt you would keep your truck that long.

 

[SRXSRULE]

Please excuse my lower 48 ignorance; but living in Alaska for 36 plus years. As a rule we switch from #2 diesel for summer to #1 diesel for winter, long before their is any chance of gelling. This occurs at the distribution level so everything is switched over (home heating fuel, everything at the pump, etc.).

Gelling is really not an issue nor a concern, even at our temperature extremes (-60 or more). Guessing the lower 48 does not do the same?

I've never run any fancy additives, nor anti-gelling agents. It all sounds a little like the snake oil salesman. In My Experience, FWIW
I have / will throw a quart of ATF in the tank about once a year for non-intrusive injector maintenance.

P.S.
Changed my fuel filter once, because I bought the truck used with about 100K on it. Now has about 180K on it. And has consumed about 11,500 (counter resets at 10K) Gallons of diesel since new. If I had to change the fuel filter every 15K, I'd be finding a cleaner supplier to purchase from, because whatever diesel your buying has way more particulate / water in it than it should have. 15K is ridicules. IMO

You guys are lucky, you clearly get WAY better fuel up there. I dont even own a diesel, but I do work on them and do take them on sled trips. Have been stuck on trips with gel'ed up fuel and plugged fuel filters. You cant count on the quality of fuel at all, have seen them gel as warm as 5-10* above zero. I also recommend to my customers to change the fuel filter every year in the fall. About the time the fuel switched to ultra low sulfur fuel is when I started seeing the plugged or restricted fuel filters. Eric

 

[capulin overdrive]

We always switched to #1 in the winter also, but starting a few years back our supplier can't or won't get it. Don't know if started with the low sulfur crap, or demand is enough it all goes north, or what?






Supplier blah blahed the fuel was fine, until our whole area came to a screeching halt one winter. Then there was a mad rush on treat, 911 treat, and fuel filters. We were lucky and had filters on hand, and beat the rush to the stores for treat. Plus the most important equipment goes in a heated shed when done.

 

[Reg2view]

Winter fuel is blended now in the lower 48, not pure #1, but a mix of 1 and 2. Some states, like SD, you often blend yourself, or you can just run straight #1, at a cost and performance penalty. In many states it's now more difficult to find straight #1, even along the interstates, and outside of farm country. 30 years ago we all just guess 'blended' our own at the pumps. Premium blended fuel is also offered with performance, lubricity, and anti-gel at some stations at a small price increase. Some winter fuels are much better at anti-gel than others, like Yukon diesel. Gain some knowledge, find a routine, and follow it.


Fuel conditioners - Power Service and Howes are typically best value, easy to get, I found Stanadyne Performance as the best performing, but at a big price penalty, even buying by the 5 gal pail. They have all adjusted to ULSD now, and all work. The process of removing sulfur from diesel in 2007 reduced the lubricity of the fuel, conditioners add lubricity insurance, and anti-gel. Blended diesel can gel - all depends on the blend and temp, and if the truck is outside all the time. Carry a bottle of 911 just in case. High pressure injector systems, like the Dmax, thrive much longer with clean fuel. Change your fuel filter routinely. It's not the old days with injector pumps anymore...

 

[boondocker97]

Most fuel in Montana is blended in the winter time and has a tag at the pump indicating what gel temperature it's blended to. Some even change the blend in early and late winter to -15F and mid-winter it's -20F. If it's going to be colder then add additive or blend in more #1 yourself if it is even available.

Not a prayer I'd try to go more than a year on a fuel filter down here. Water and particle contamination is an issue in the lower 48. Especially with the higher pressure fuel systems we have now. That's why all the manufacturers recommend 10,000 mile fuel filter changes now. All our diesels get Stanadyne year round.

 

[vdo1948]

Not to steal a thread but does anyone know if it is OK to run the engine on an '03 DMax when it is plugged in? Added a remote start about a year ago & plug in when below 0F. Don't like going out in the cold to unplug before starting. Advice?

 

[nickPSD]

Not to steal a thread but does anyone know if it is OK to run the engine on an '03 DMax when it is plugged in? Added a remote start about a year ago & plug in when below 0F. Don't like going out in the cold to unplug before starting. Advice?

I have done this with all brands of diesel engines and never had an issue. IMHO it doesnt hurt anything

 

[Blu Du]

I have a 15 and a 16. both will start at -33 below 0 with 5w-40 rotella. my 15 was at the dealer this morning over night and it started when I got there at -33. I never put my winter front on my 11 but put them on my new ones. I live in brainerd and have good fuel but when I travel it seems that's when I get fuel issues.