Cold Weather Diesel for Dummies

[sargeek]

What are some tricks of the trade for cold weather diesel operations.

I need some help with a family members 99 Ford Power Stroke. The last cold spell in Denver about killed it. The truck sat for 24 hours with the block heater going, started, but never generated much power.

My assumption is that the fuel was to thick to flow well. What are suggestions and general maintenance tips. That year of truck, I'm sure that you could put 5 gallons of kerosene into the tank and it would run fine but what are the best methods. Add a fuel additive every tank full?

 

[shortbus4x4]

Powerstrokes have a feature on the turbo where a flap closes the exhaust somewhat to restrict its flow when cold. This helps the engine warm up quicker which cuts down on emissions. You will notice a lack of power when this happens, they do stick sometimes too.

 

[ClayH]

Make sure Glow Plugs and GP relay are in tip top shape.
Winter fuel should already have antigell formulation added at the pump but you can buy additional additives. If the fuel is gelled, it won't run period. (ever tryed to puch vasaline through a 5 micron filter?) Make sure fuel filters are new. Use a good 5W-40 synthetic oil in winter (Rotella makes a good one). Diesels work best when hot so don't expect much out of it untill you baby it a few miles down the road. It will help it heat faster and maintain heat if you block off the radiator - I use a large piece of cardboard behind the grill right in front of the radiator. Also when you start it in really cold weather, key it on and wait...30...45....60 seconds (depending how cold it it) before you try to start it. The wait to start light goes out in a few seconds but the GPs remain heated for up to 90 seconds after you key on.
All of these things will help.

 

[ClayH]

Powerstrokes have a feature on the turbo where a flap closes the exhaust somewhat to restrict its flow when cold. This helps the engine warm up quicker which cuts down on emissions. You will notice a lack of power when this happens, they do stick sometimes too.

EBP valve...

 

[Martyn]

Lots of useful information in this thread

Diesel goes through three phases as the temperature drops:
Clouding, gelling, and waxing due to the waxes in the fuel. Clouding can start around freezing, gelling around 14'F, and waxing at -49'F. Winter diesel has additives to prevent this and my experience has been that I'm good to around -11'F.

Additives help lower the viscosity of the diesel and add lubrication to the fuel.

You main issues are water in the diesel and your fuel filter.

Rule of thumb is to replace your fuel filter every three oil changes. when you do that remove any water in the filter housing. This can be done by draining all the diesel out of the bowl using the stop cock. Most of the people I know who change their own fuel filters use a turkey baster to remove the water off the top of the fuel.

The filter itself can get a coating of wax crystals on it that will start to clog the filter and restrict fuel flow. The fuel bowl has a 12 volt heater in it that should prevent this. Check to make sure your heater is working.

I would add a fuel additive with every tank of gas rather than kerosene.

 

[SSF556]

Move to South Carolina:wings:

 

[Ala5ka]

get a garage haha jk, In AK our diesel gels so winter diesel is a must and additives work nicely. Let your glow plugs do their job, keep water out of the engine, my two cents, have a blessed day