Nubian Posted October 31, 2003 Posted October 31, 2003 This will be my first winter running diesel, it also happens to be my first year ever running diesel, so i'm pretty green there. How do you run your diesel engines in the winter without fear of congealing.It will be garage kept(heated) my concern is if I should need to leave it out for whatever reason maybe even overnight. I know there are a lot of products out there. Any recommendations? Eddy
rokon2813 Posted October 31, 2003 Posted October 31, 2003 Eddy if its garage kept most of the time you have nothing to worry about. In New York they put an additive in deisel before it ever gets to the pump for cold weather. By the time it gets cold enough outside for your diesel to gel while the tractor is running it will be too cold to be outside anyway. If you want something to make you feel better, buy Howes brand deisel treat. Many auto parts stores sell it for about $10 a gallon and a gallon treats either 3 or 4 hundred gallons of fuel so $10 is cheap insurance for a couple years worth of stuff. It is used by very many over the road truck drivers. I used it in a deisel pickup for 7 years and never once had gelled fuel.
Nubian Posted October 31, 2003 Author Posted October 31, 2003 Thanks, I have heard that but after talking to someone today they suggested it wasn't true. Or maybe the additive was not an anti-gel. I will look into the product you suggested. BTW I was concerned about the tractor just sitting outside while it's not running Thanks again Eddy
UCD Posted October 31, 2003 Posted October 31, 2003 Eddy If you buy your fuel from a Local filling station you should have no problem as it will all ready be mixed for winter. If you are using no.2 heating oil you should mix it 50/50 with kerosene if it is to be left outside. My tractor sat in a heated garage and I used no. 2 heating oil with no problem. I would add a couple oz. of ATF every once in a while to keep injectors clean. You could also get an anti gel additive at a local parts store, cyclo is a good brand. A quart will treat about 100 gals and is not expensive.
Nubian Posted October 31, 2003 Author Posted October 31, 2003 I was thinking of storing about 30 gals of the winterized diesel any problems running it year round. Eddy
alanscott Posted October 31, 2003 Posted October 31, 2003 While your looking for the pour point additive (anti-gel), make sure what your buying is also a cetane enhancer. The higher the cetane rating, the easier starting the engine will be. My choices are "Stanadyne Performance Formula" or "Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost". Also, make sure whatever you go with contains no alcohol. It's better to let the filter trap the water than to pass it though the injectors.
JoeJ Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 :DEddy!!! ;)Ignore these people!!! The very best method is to move it south to Jersey for the winter!!!:D:D:D Howdy to the family too.
Nubian Posted November 1, 2003 Author Posted November 1, 2003 What about kerosene? can you run it straight or mixed in a diesel? Eddy
alanscott Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 Kerosene, also called #1 diesel, can be mixed up to 50/50 with #2 diesel, I wouldn't suggest using it straight. #1 diesel has a lower lubricity level than #2, so the higher the ratio is, the harder it is on your injectors. #1 also has a lower BTU level, so it will make less power.
MN_FISH Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 Don't know how cold it gets in NY but I would go with a 70 #2 & 30 #1. Add the "Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost". Also keep your fuel tank full so when you bring it in & out of the heat there isn't that much chance of condensation in the tank. The more #1 the less power you will have:(. Don't know where the fuel tank sits on your tractor but maybe you could fasten flat cardboard on the sides or on the grill so there isn't so much airflow and keep your engine running warmer. Don't totally close the air supply off tho. If your fuel tank is above the engine compartment it will also help warm the fuel^. Check your owners manual to see what lightweight multi-grade oil you can use in the engine. If it is going to get cold for a long spell I would keep it ^inside unless you have good glow plugs or it is a fantastic starter? If you do start it outside let it warm up before running it to fast & putting the power to it;) It does get cold :(here in northern MN and we usually don't have problems.:D Does it get -30 or more out there?
Les Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 My grandad used to keep a bottle of 86 proof burbon in his toolbox, he told me to watch that bottle, when it got cold enough for the whiskey to start looking creamy, you better get some gasoline in your diesel tank because that is when straight #1 will gell. I did not learn very well and in the winter of 1975 I ended up stuck in the middle of the road with a John Deere 670 road grader, gelled up on straight #1!
Nubian Posted November 1, 2003 Author Posted November 1, 2003 It gets to below zero often enough.Unfortunately my tank is no where near the engine. Eddy
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