Freezing temps!! - Diesel Forum

smlducks · 12-30-2009, 11:02 AM

I am heading to the mountains this weekend. Lows around 3 degrees. Should I do anything as far as diesel additives to keep anything from freezing? This is my first time in these type temps with a diesel. Anything else I should do to prep? Thanks fellas.

newtodieseling · 12-30-2009, 11:14 AM

f you're not positive you've filled up with #1 diesel I would get a diesel anti-gel. You can get it from the Ford dealership or get Stanadyne or some other brand. If you filled up with #1 diesel your fine. Other than that you should be fine. My truck in my sig will start at 10 below zero without plugging it in. It's rough on the engine to do that too often as it definitely takes a while to warm up, but for a weekend you shouldn't have any issues.

smlducks · 12-30-2009, 11:20 AM

whats #1 diesel? i usually fill up at a Shell station

DaJuice08 · 12-30-2009, 01:39 PM

Winter blend diesel. It already has the anti-gel mixed in. If you are unsure what the shell station has in the tanks, ask someone reputable that works at the store...

**TousleyParts** · 12-30-2009, 02:01 PM

grab anti gel just in case-cheap insurance

superstinker · 12-30-2009, 02:14 PM

Plug her in if you can. What kind of oil are you running?

Bumpy · 12-30-2009, 03:32 PM

All I have ever needed is too let the glow plugs do a long cycle. If it's extremely cold.... maybe two cycles. If your not sure on the fuel, just run her down and fill up in cold country. They will have winter blend in the tanks for sure. Don't sweat it.

smlducks · 12-30-2009, 03:40 PM

aight thanks guys. ran by shell, it does not have anti gel. ran by an auto store, they were out so i got some sea foam that has the anti gel component in it. I will mix that with the diesel on the way up. Thanks for the help guys! have a good new year.

Quickerthanu · 12-30-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlducks

ran by an auto store, they were out so i got some sea foam that has the anti gel component in it. I will mix that with the diesel on the way up.

I don't know about the sea foam, but I use Diesel Kleen with the anti-gel plus cetane booster. That seems to help out alot on the cold starts.

Side note: If the station is running #1 diesel & you add the anti-gel is that bad or just overkill?

Powerhouse9228 · 12-30-2009, 08:58 PM

I would sure want to run some 5w40 full syn oil in it as well. And if you are close to a fuel filter change I would do that as well.

newtodieseling · 12-31-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerhouse9228

I would sure want to run some 5w40 full syn oil in it as well. And if you are close to a fuel filter change I would do that as well.

Holy Crow! For a weekend trip?! It is going to a high of 6 above today and 14 below tonight and I follow regular maintenance schedule. Granted, I run 5W 40 Syn all the time, ( have run 15w 30, but don't like it) but chaning filters and oil because he's going on a weekend trip? I'd be changing my stuff every other week due to the weather where I live in the winter if these things were that sensitive to cold weather. The fuel is the only thing I'd worry about and IF they have a place to plug it in do it, if not, don't worry about it.

rock_doctor · 12-31-2009, 01:04 PM

If you walk into any station and ask if the diesel has anti-gel in it they are going to look at you like you have three heads. You just want to know if it is winterized diesel... If in doubt then add the anti gel in regardless of what diesel it has in it and go enjoy yourself. If you are in a place that you can find an outside outlet then plug it in when you can. Don't worry about it otherwise. And don't let the weird noises it makes when you start it scare you. Diesels are heat engines and when cold the combustion timing is all over the place. Don't drive it or rev it until it smooths out. If you are moving to the Yukon then you can worry about the oil, there are plenty that run normal diesel oil in cold regions. Besides 3 deg F is not too horrible. Some members start their trucks in sub zero temps all winter long with little preparation other then diesel 1/winterized diesel (which is normal diesel with Kerosene mixed in) and plugging it in. If by chance you run out of anti-gel then add a couple gallons of kerosene to a full tank of diesel and you should be fine. In another one of my posts i actually posted the Kerosene to diesel ratio. So if you are interested in knowing more then try to dig it up by the search. Go and enjoy yourself.