First winter with a diesel
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Connecticut
First winter with a diesel
I live in connecticut and its already snowing. What should i be using for an anti gel? And for that matter should I be putting any kind of conditioner in year round? I heard the new diesel fuel is hard on injectors?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 6
From: Ardenvoir, Washington
I would use some Stanadyne or Diesel Klean..use can use year round but not really necessary after the winter.. I would suggest switching to 5w40 syn Shell Rotella specially in the winter.. your engine will love it.. quicker starts in cold..
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Greene County,TN.
I use the power services stuff at Walmart that prevents gelling all through the winter. The only time I use anything during the summer months is the other stuff from Power Services that helps gas mileage on road trips.
With almost 15 quarts of oil in the pan, it helps having 2 really good batteries to get things turning. Ones with a high cold cranking amp ratings will help. I didn't do it last year, but allot of people switch to synthetic 5w40 in the winter. Being 5w, it should spin over faster, which these big diesels need to get going.
BTW, if its really cold and you plan ahead, plug in your block heater at least a few hours before you leave in the morning. You can get a timer and save on your light bill, so you won't run the heater all night. Being in the mountains where it gets a little nippy some nights, sometimes I'll leave the heater going all night so I can jump in and run if I need to. The roads in front of my house don't get salted by the county, so I've had to pull trucks out of the creek before.
With almost 15 quarts of oil in the pan, it helps having 2 really good batteries to get things turning. Ones with a high cold cranking amp ratings will help. I didn't do it last year, but allot of people switch to synthetic 5w40 in the winter. Being 5w, it should spin over faster, which these big diesels need to get going.
BTW, if its really cold and you plan ahead, plug in your block heater at least a few hours before you leave in the morning. You can get a timer and save on your light bill, so you won't run the heater all night. Being in the mountains where it gets a little nippy some nights, sometimes I'll leave the heater going all night so I can jump in and run if I need to. The roads in front of my house don't get salted by the county, so I've had to pull trucks out of the creek before.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Mass
i've been using "diesel klean" for the past three winters without having a gelling problem of any kind so far. i haven't even put it on a "maintenance schedule", just put a bottle in every other week or so during the winter.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Connecticut
I am using the synthetic rotella and just 2 days ago got two new 850 cca batteries. But need to get some anti gel for the fuel. Trucks parked in garage that doesnt get lower that 40s usually in winter but when im at the firehouse for 24 hour shifts I think ill start plugging the block in for 3 hours prior to leaving...
