How cold before switching to No 1 Fuel

[jacqnbill]

I am taking a trip from Northern California to Casper Wyoming the middle of January and don't know if I need to hold off buying fuel (70 gal aux tank) until I get to cold country or what. I have never traveled in cold country with a diesel. I assume the diesel sold in cold areas are No 1. Am I correct. Need advice from you eskimos. Will I need to connect the engine heater overnight to start the engine?



Thanks Bill

 

[Billy Diesel]

Once, the temps start dropping, most stations will start selling a winter blend. It is usually mostly #2, with some #1 added. I've ran straight #2 down to freezing, and not had a problem.



As for plugging in your truck, it is recommended at 40F, but not needed until -20F. If you have a chance though, plug it in as it only helps.

 

[dcamilleri]

January can be very cold in Wyoming. I have seen temps plummet to -20 to -40. When you buy fuel ASK what the blend is. It can range from 70/30(70 percent #2/30 percent #1) 60/40, 50/50 or 40/60 but most stations don't list the blend on the pumps. Some over the road truckers like to blend their own and fill at seperate pumps. Some stations use winterized fuel which is just #2 with a fuel additive. So, what is the best, it depends. Once your truck has set out in the elements and all the fuel is cold it can get tricky. At the minimum use a good fuel additive and try to buy fuel that is 60/40. I prefer large truck stops like Flying J (located along I-80) Howes fuel additive has a good reputation for not plugging fuel filters and is carried at most truck stops. Plug in if you can any time temp is going to be below 0. Below 0 can also take a toll on your battery. If it is weak it might not be up to the task of starting your engine when the oil is like honey. Carry a spare fuel filter in the event fuel waxes up in the filter housing. You can change the filter while adding some extra additive directly to the filter housing. Some time all these things don't work and engines will quit (usually due to fuel) when temps reach -20 or lower. Now for the good news, this has been a mild winter so far so you might not even have to worry. Hope this helps. Dave.

 

[jacqnbill]

Thanks I will print your replys and take it with me. I always buy fuel at Flying J as they are very friendly to RVers. Hope the winter remains mild.



Bill

 

[Timberline]

Diesel additive

I've seen it get down to -53F here in Wyoming, and I never use blended fuel if I can help it. I just stick with good quality #2 diesel, usually FlyingJ if I can, and use reputable additives like Howes or Power Service Arctic Express. Never had any problems. #1 diesel fuel has an average of 8%-11% less power(energy) in it, and does not have near the lubricating properties as #2. I guess when I hear my engine clatter a little louder when I've got #1 in the tank, I feel like I'm hurting my baby. Just my opinion.

 

[dcamilleri]

The filter plugging tempature of #2 can vary greatly from one refinery to another and also from one year to the next. Our local Napa store usually carries a pamplet that states cold pour point of #2 and #1 from all of the local refineries and it can vary by as much as 20 degrees.

Two years ago when I just got my conversion running, we had a mild January, then Febuary hit with a vengance, -15 to -35 for a week. One morning at about -30, CTD fired right up after being plugged in all night, but died as I pulled into work about 8 miles away. Fuel was too cold, fuel heater couldn't keep up, and the additive in the #2 didn't work. Parked it it a warm garage all day and no more problem that day. Also because of the warm January there wasn't any #1 to be had anywhere in town. There were lots of diesels not running that week.

 

[MichaelWright]

Pick up a jug of Howes anti gell additive, Flying J and Pilot sells it. I used to run that across I-80 hauling produce out of shacky to the dirty side every winter for a number of years. Temps hit -50 at times, saw allot of frozen trucks along the road, never had a problem gelling, and my tanks were exposed to the elements. And be careful running straight #1 in your truck, you might burn something up. Once you get up by Donner Pass, you will find plenty of winter blend east of there to fill up with.



Mike

 

[mhenon]

Thanks I will print your replys and take it with me. I always buy fuel at Flying J as they are very friendly to RVers. Hope the winter remains mild.



Bill

jacqnbill, if you can plan your trip so you arrive in Wyoming with an emtpy tank you'll find the cheapest prices there. I'm sure they'll have it blended right at Flying J but it wouldn't hurt to add an anti-gell.

Wyoming can get mighty frosty this time of year and it's no place to be pulling a plugged filter. I've spent many a cold night working on aircraft in Rockies. Brrrrrrr!

Mike