My first diesel SUV
- Thread starter lvr1000
- Start date
skidoomatt
New member
Just make sure to buy diesel from places that move alot of diesel fuel, try to avoid mom & pop gas stations...atleast I do. Also, run a good additive with every tank like Power Service or Stanadyne. I typically use Power Service and have not had any gelling issues.
I had a couple diesel's Chevy Duramax's for 6 years, never plugged them in, never added anything (but once), never had a problem. I have gone 5 days in the UP cold and never plugged it in and it started right up. Just like any other time. Couldn't tell a difference starting it in the winter or summer. I did buy some additive for it once and never noticed anything different so that was the only time.
Not sure what kind of engine is in the Hummer so I'm not sure about that. Also, I'm pretty sure Ford and Dodge would need to be plugged in or they probably wouldn't start.
Not sure what kind of engine is in the Hummer so I'm not sure about that. Also, I'm pretty sure Ford and Dodge would need to be plugged in or they probably wouldn't start.
Another thing, if the vehicle isn't new, you might want to put a fresh set of batteries in it. Also use an additive like the others said. I carry Power Service's DIESEL 911 as an emergency usage item. Although I haven't had a problem yet with my 6.4 ford down to -30 without plugging it in, I still carry the 911 and run other power service additives year round. Have had tractors that gel at -20 with regular Power Service (white bottle) in them and added 911 to tank and fuel filters and it worked.
Two stroke oil, 1 ounce per gallon. Think about it... your sled starts @ 25 - 30 below & still gets oil, it has a low pour point, It,s all I use in the winter. All the power service & other additives contain stuf like naptha, xylene, toulene. Basically paint thinner's... great for stripping paint, but hard on fuel systems & contain no lubricating property's. Most diesel fuel pumps start at around $450.00, most injection pumps start @ $1500.00. Well then theres labor @ $125.00 per hr. & dont forget about the $300.00 tow bill. Make sure the 2 stroke you use is ashless. I've been driving diesel's since the mid 80's never a problem in the winter.
oldguy
Member
LVR1000 your question is will it gel in the UP after sitting for awhile and what can prevent it. I have been around diesel engines for work and pleasure for over 20 years in northern MN and the answer is yes it probably will unless you take some simple precautions.
Stay away from buying Bio diesel. The anti gel stuff doesn’t work that great with it. When you get close to your destination and the forecast is for cold weather, fill it up with straight number one. You’ll get bad fuel mileage and less power, but if your mix is no less than 75% number one and 25% number 2 it should not gel at 20-30 below. That will work better then any gas, or anti gel additives you can buy. If you’re still worried, install an after market fuel line heater and fuel filter warmer. Also always carry an extra fuel filter.
To make sure they start, run synthetic motor oil. If you are at a place that you can’t plug in, take along a little charcoal to heat up the oil pan, of course be careful doing this, but that has worked for me more then once getting them started when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Good batteries are also a must. Use starting fluid as a last resort, it is real hard on the newer diesels.
Stay away from buying Bio diesel. The anti gel stuff doesn’t work that great with it. When you get close to your destination and the forecast is for cold weather, fill it up with straight number one. You’ll get bad fuel mileage and less power, but if your mix is no less than 75% number one and 25% number 2 it should not gel at 20-30 below. That will work better then any gas, or anti gel additives you can buy. If you’re still worried, install an after market fuel line heater and fuel filter warmer. Also always carry an extra fuel filter.
To make sure they start, run synthetic motor oil. If you are at a place that you can’t plug in, take along a little charcoal to heat up the oil pan, of course be careful doing this, but that has worked for me more then once getting them started when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Good batteries are also a must. Use starting fluid as a last resort, it is real hard on the newer diesels.
two more questions came to mind
Thanks for all the information. Reading these, other questions came to mind. Does diesel fuel "change" when it sits for awhile? I know gas will lose octane. A tank (actually 2) could last 8 months during the summer months.
Old guy, since I have two tanks, could I make sure 1 tank always has #1 and run #2 in the other?.
Thanks for all the information. Reading these, other questions came to mind. Does diesel fuel "change" when it sits for awhile? I know gas will lose octane. A tank (actually 2) could last 8 months during the summer months.
Old guy, since I have two tanks, could I make sure 1 tank always has #1 and run #2 in the other?.
oldguy
Member
I am sure that diesel could lose some of it's volatility over time, but I have not heard of it being much of a problem like gas. The fuel oil people use for home heating can often go a several years between fills with out much impact.
As far as 2 tanks that can be used one at a time, that would be a great way to solve the problem. If the number two tanks starts to gel, just switch to the tank with the number one in it. I owned a Duramax that started great when it was extremely cold but would gel every time it got over 20 below. We put in all of the different additives and the only thing that worked every time was straight number one diesel.
As far as 2 tanks that can be used one at a time, that would be a great way to solve the problem. If the number two tanks starts to gel, just switch to the tank with the number one in it. I owned a Duramax that started great when it was extremely cold but would gel every time it got over 20 below. We put in all of the different additives and the only thing that worked every time was straight number one diesel.
A 'nuther factor to consider: It doesn't generally get that cold in da UP. It's fairly rare to see temperatures below -10°F, and hardly ever do you see temps in the -20s.
This isn't like International Falls, MN, where you might have to plug that 'lectrical heater in to keep from gellin' in temperatures of -40°F or below!
This isn't like International Falls, MN, where you might have to plug that 'lectrical heater in to keep from gellin' in temperatures of -40°F or below!
Unless you bought a new sled with a short windshield and the tall was on b/o for almost a year. In '09, I happened to pick the three coldest week trips. I have the frost bite marks to prove it. The one week we saw a high of -10F. Coldest morning was -27F.
On the bight side, several days we were the first on after the groomer. One day had 80 plus miles of virgin groomed trail and the other miles were our tracks. Also had our choice of tables when we ate.
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We ride up in Wawa a lot and it gets cold there bigtime. My Ford says "unasisted" starting to -20f. Let me tell ya it needs all kinds of assistance below that. I carry one of those 500,000 btu propane torches and a section of chimney pipe with a 90 on the end and blast it at the oil pan.
Watch out, there is plastic everything down there!
If you cycle the glow plugs 2 or 3 times before trying that really helps too. Be sure and plug your ears when it does start, they sound like the rods are comming out. I think most of them have fuel heaters in the system now????
Watch out, there is plastic everything down there!
If you cycle the glow plugs 2 or 3 times before trying that really helps too. Be sure and plug your ears when it does start, they sound like the rods are comming out. I think most of them have fuel heaters in the system now????
It really doesn't matter what brand truck you have for the gelling part. If you put the same fuel in different trucks and it doesn't gel in one it won't gel in the other. If you buy crap fuel you have just that, crap fuel... In the 6 years I had a diesel I never had a problem with the fuel. Lucky maybe...
yeah you will be fine i run #2 with additive all winter and my 7.3 starts right up. just cycle plugs 2 to 3 times if that cold. i always take cord to plug in if have to or if go sledding i take generator in trailer case no outlets near on really cold days. also vehicles have return line back to tank off the fuel rails cus it doesnt use all thats supplied to injectors so once its started it slowly will heat fuel up with the returned fuel. a home i have a outdoor timer that i plug the truck in and i have set up every 2 hours to bake for 30 min to keep it so isn't so hard on motor when start it in mournings.
Switching to full synthetic oil will help a ton too. I will be using Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 in my diesel this winter.
http://www-static.shell.com/static/can-en/downloads/products_services/lubricants/rotella/rotella_t6.pdf
http://www-static.shell.com/static/can-en/downloads/products_services/lubricants/rotella/rotella_t6.pdf
Thanks mvedepo for the info. I just picked up 2 gallons (all they had) at Advanced Auto, on sale for $19.99. I'll try to pu more at another location.
It fits the CG4 & CH4 the 6.5 turbo diesel calls for.
If you're new to the 6.5L gm diesel, might I suggest going to www.thedieselplace.com and looking under the 6.5L section and then reading the FAQ's section. Lots of good information there. The 6.5 turbo is notorious for having PMD (pump mounted driver) failure issues and glow plug problems. Last winter on our trip up north I thought my truck was starting to gel or had filled up with some bad fuel. Turns out my PMD was going bad, lucky to make it home. Definitely relocate the PMD to increase reliablity of this engine. As far as cold weather goes, just be sure to never, ever, ever, ever use ether. With a good set of properly working glow plugs and winter blend diesel you shouldn't have any starting or gelling issues.
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