Winter Fuel

[Turbo Terry]

If you had to burn 50/50 winter fuel what would you use to keep the injector pump etc. lubed up Stanadyne , Howes or Power Service . Would this be enough to compensate for the dryness of #1 fuel? How about some 10/30 moter oil or 2 cycle oil ? Non-synthetic of course and at what ratio? I need some good technical advice. Thanks

 

[HC]

I'd go with the Stanadyne. Check out http://www.stanadyne.com/dsg/dsg_dfa.asp

for some technical details.

Bottom line: Stanadyne is designed for the purpose and has good independent test lab data to prove it. While the Howes and Power Service also have their fans, I would avoid using oil or other additives not designed for this specific purpose. They might work, but you'll also run the risk of messing up your injectors with deposits you don't need.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I would try to avoid a blend and use straight number 2 with Howes. If you have no choice then I would add Howes as well.

 

[illflem]

I agree with Powder Extreme 100%. #1 mix isn't necessary in the lower 48. You will rarely know what you are getting at a gas station though, need to go to a truck stop. Howe's works just fine and is readily available most anywhere. It's just like motor oil pick one brand and stick to it, availability plays a big part in this. Only use an additive designed for diesel fuel, anything else will cause problems.

 

[Turbo Terry]

There is no # 2 in Alaska in the winter. Number 2 must be cut with something to keep it from gelling and they use #1 to lower its pour point. Number 2 is good to about 15 degress and at 50/50 blend to minus 15. I need max lubeing for my pump.

 

[Turbo Terry]

A little known fact is that our fuel here is not pour point depressed as in the lower 48. When it gets colder they just add more #1. Right now we are getting #! from all the pumps - no choice -100 percent #!. This has been like this most all winter. I would not buy a Cummins diesel again for use in Alaska but I,m stuck with this one now. I did not know this when I bought the truck. MY injector pump was changed by dealer at 30 ooo miles. Next one will be on me $$$.

 

[RonaldLarson]

Terry!

Why the negative comments on Cummins? If a Cummins won't run in Alaska winters, what will? We have similar weather here, and I run straight number two with Power Service without any problems whatsoever.

Your factory warranty covers you for 100,000 miles,and includes the injector pump. Although I would not, as a conciencious owner, run straight number two without an additive, your warranty does not require one. Please fill us in on the situation. Something does not add up here!

Ron

 

[JR2]

Terry is having some problems with his truck and no one (Dealer or vendors or us for that matter) seems to have the answer. I am not going to post his problems as he will do it if he wants. I will say that we have CRAP fuel up here all winter. The fuel refinerys up here only make #1 in the winter and then cut it with #2 (from somewhere) to depress the pour point. The problem we run into is that the big rigs all head North in the winter and they need to be protected to -70 F and that is straight #1. The station that Terry fills up at has the actual temp the fuel is good to on the pumps. Last time I bought there it was -55 F. The rest of the stations don't even know what you are talking about when you ask. The best mileage I get in the winter is about 11. It takes an act of god to get some decent fuel. Heck where I work we run JP4 in all the Diesels, hell on injection pumps and the mileage really sucks (read 5 mpg if your lucky).



Terry - Hang on there buddy, April 1 is coming and we will have good old #1 then. Also I will be in town tomorrow night and I have a couple of ideas to run past you.





JR2

 

[Turbo Terry]

The truck runs okay but dies everytime it is put into gear. Dealer cannot reflash it out and it WOULD make you angery to if every time you put your truck in gear it died. As far as bad mouthing Cummins I dont think I did that and if I hurt your feelings I,m sorry.

 

[Midnite]

Terry, that really sucks that you're still having the problems you were talking about at the last AKTDR meeting.



For what it's worth, I don't use Stanadyne in the winter anymore. When I was fueling up early this winter I went to pour in some Stanadyne, and it came out of the bottle in big chunks and globs. At that time I think it was about -10F. It may be that I got some kind of really poorly blended batch, I don't know, but I use Power Service now. I wouldn't have any problems using Stanadyne during the summer, and in fact while I was using it last summer I did notice that the truck seemed to run better with it than with PS.



Don't give up on your truck--the answers are out there somewhere!



Mike

 

[Riflesmith]

I have been running 2-cycle oil in my fuel at a rate of 1 ounce to every two gallons of fuel since my truck was new. I also treat every tank of fuel with an injector cleaning product.



I now have 58,000 miles without fuel system problems. I read a report from a diesel repair shop that encountered a huge increase in injection pump failures following the switch to low sulfur fuel. The report stated that adding 2-cycle oil at a rate of at least 900 ppm dropped their failure rate to near zero. One half ounce per gallon is 3906 ppm. I apologize for not being able to refer you to the source of this information. I read it a while back and no longer know where to find it.



If I were forced to use straight #1 fuel, I think I would add 2-cycle oil at a rate of 1 ounce to every gallon. I have verified that it mixes very easily with diesel fuel and since it is designed to burn, I don't think it can hurt anything. Given the problems you have been experiencing, you have to try something. Good luck.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Thanks for the input. I,m using 1 quart for every tank with #1. But I can get some 50/50 in the winter (homeheating) fuel in the winter but I have to buy a tank . Truck does not die on 50/50 fuel. As mentioned earlier no #2 in Alaska Oct. 1 to April 1, Its what ever they (feel the temps are going to be up north or on the Ak Hwy) the stations. This year they had a over - supply of #1 and it was cheaper for them to sell straight #1 all winter then to do any blend. Red fuel and #1 I feel I need some extra lubing for the pump etc.

If I did not have any extras on my truck I would lemon in on out. Wish I would have left it stock but I couldn,t resist. Any way I just had a slide-in built for it and and have way to much in it to turn it around. I have not had any problems with the Dodge part of the truck and only fuel and computer problems with the Cummins. I do love the Cummins but they hung a stupid Bosch injector pump on it and went to computer instead of mechanical. Also while we are at it I WILL NEVER own another automatic and only 4. 10 gears for me I knew better but got lazy. Thanks for listening.

 

[JJW_ND]

Stanadyne does freeze in the bottle. But when mixed with fuel it does what it says it does. I have also ran it exclusively for the last 200K. I run only straight #2 (available yearround on the interstate truckstops). Add Stanadyne if temps go below -5.



I even run the premium Strataore fuel filter and have never had any problems.



BTW... . Was -28 F actual air temp this weekend. Truck sat out all weekend. Started each morning (plugged in). Only have 50% of the recomended dose. Temps were WAY colder then what was sapose to happen.



I would probably consider adding #1 if truck had to set out in -35 on a daily basis. It does get that cold here but vary rare.



When mixing with #1, Stanadyne would also help incease Cetane which might offset some of the poor performance. Stanadyne and Premium #2 makes for a great performing and starting fuel.



jjw

ND

 

[WDaniels]

Turbo Terry,

You are wrong. I live in Fairbanks and can and do get #2 all winter long. If you live in Anchorage you can also get #2. There is nothing wrong with the CTD in Alaska. I use Power Service or Howes down to -30 below. Never had a problem yet and have had a CTD since 96.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Where in Fairbanks and Anchorage do you get #2 in the winter?

 

[WDaniels]

Turbo Terry,

You can get #2 diesel from 4 locations in Fairbanks. 1. Parks Hightway truck stop. $1. 38 a gal. 2. At the Tesoro truck stop next to Spenards on Phillips Field rd. $1. 38 per gal 3. At the Chevron bulk plant at the end of Minnie st. 4. The Hill Top Truck stop on the Haul road 7 miles out of Fox, if your going that way.

You can get #2 at the Sunshine truck stop at Talkeetna.

I believe the Texaco at the corner of Northren Lights and Minnisoda carries #2 all winter. I haven't lived in Anchorage for the last 16 years so I'm not real up to date there, but my friends get it there all winter long.

Hope this helps.

WD

 

[Turbo Terry]

WDaniels I was partly wrong . You are right you can get #2 in Fairbanks. I called Tesoro in Fairbanks. The Semi-truck drivers use heated tanks I was told. There is no #2 at Sunshine truck stop in Talkeetna. I called them also. But there still is no #2 in the Anchorage bowl in the winter. Anyway my excuse can and will be I was talking to Outsiders and said no #2 in Alaska but should of said in Anchorage in the winter. I stand corrected and if you talk to your Anchorage friends I would be more than happy to know where they get there #2 in the winter in Anchorage. Thanks TT

 

[WDaniels]

Turbo Terry,

I will ask my friends in Anchorage where they get their #2 diesel at. Anchorage doesn't get cold enough to warrent #1. I wonder why it isn't more common there. How about the bulk plant down on Post rd. down by the docks? You might have to buy a little more at a time but it might be worth it.

Anywise, sorry about not helping in Anchor town but someone has to carry it.

WD

 

[Turbo Terry]

I spoke to them. No #2