I just got my first diesel, and have some questions about winter driving. My assumption, after talking to a few people, is that the #2 should be blended well enough that it should be ok. Or, is it best to use #1? I've been told not to use #1 consistently. How often should you use it?

Are the starting procedures in cold weather similar to gas engines? The gas fuel injected engines I've seemed to do ok in cold weather.

Thanks for any help.

Bill

 

You didn't mention where you live or what winter temperatures you expect.

Winterized #2 will have an additive that inhibits the formation of paraffin. This might be good for down to 0-degrees or lower.

#1 diesel will flow in ever lower temperatures. You can use it all the time, but will have less power because it is basically kerosene, and has a lower BTU value.

Your glow plugs may take a little longer in low temperatures. In severe cold, useing your block heater or parking in the garage will help cold starts. Be sure and use the recommended oil for the temperatures you expect. 15w/40 is good for down to around +5 degrees.

You can get more information about winter fuel and oil by visiting your local oil jobber. They're the ones in your area that sell bulk fuel and oil to the farms and construction sites.

 

You mention 'Winterized #2'. Is that #2 with FW-16 added?

I am in Denver and this will be my first winter with my new PSD.
I am trying to figure out when I need to worry about the cold weather. Over the winter it will surely be below zero many times. I've seen it as low as -24. Should I keep the fuel additive in my tank throughout the winter?

What do I do if (heaven forbid) wax does start to crystalize and it clogs up my fuel system. 1. wait until spring? 2. tow it to the shop and let them warm it up for me?

How cold should it be before I worry about plugging it in? I ran it a couple of mornings when it was pretty cold. It started no problem but seemed very loud for the couple of miles.

Does a PSD need extra warm up time?

Thanks

 

When I first got my truck, I lived in Lakewood, and it is too big to fit in any garage, and for some reason mine is the only one in existence without a block heater. I had no problem at all in Colorado winters, using #2 diesel, the only time I ever jelled was after I filled up in California, and went into the mountains, to a motel overnight - it would not start for a couple of hours, in the morning.

Wm
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/032/Mp/Wb/5M/EN89478.jpg
'96 F450 Custom Crewcab 4x4 Flatbed, Powerstroke, Banks Powerpack, Chip, Tranny control,Aux tranny, engine worked giving 340 hp and 660lb ft torque

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Oct-01 AT 10:52 PM (EST)[/font][p]PSDzorb, by 'winterized #2', I mean fuel blended with parrafin inhibitors at the refinery. This is usually done as required according to the regional weather. Like the example theologian gave, fuel in Lakewood CO. was blended for severe weather while the fuel he purchased in CA. with mild weather was not.
If you get your fuel from a brand name station or truckstop, they should be able to tell you if it's 'winterized'.

Here's a link for diesel fuel specifications. Look under the property 'Cloud Point'. [link:www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/diesel/diesel%5Fspec.shtm|Specs]

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 23-Oct-01 AT 08:32 AM (EST)[/font][p]Hey PSDZorb, I hope your reference to adding FW-16 to the fuel in your PSD was a Freudian Slip.... doing so will cost you more money in repairs than catching Osama Bin Laden.