Cold Weather Diesel

[Captains Cat]

I know they make a special fuel for diesel engines that will allow easier starting in cold weather. We cannot get that here in our part of VA.

Is there an additive we can use to help cold weather starting? From what I read, it is possible to do this but using it may clog fuel filters eventually. Maybe if I only use it during the winter, it won't hurt too much.

[NewMoon]

There are additives which reduce diesel's pour point and filter plug point.

I've been using Stanadyne Performance Formula, which is said to do this. My experience is that starting when it's cold (my truck sits outside in Utah) is easier, less smoky, and the engine runs smoother and quieter when still cold. In 16 Utah winters I've never had a hard time starting.

Works well in summer too - no clogging of filters or any other bad effects. I use it in the truck's Cummins and the boat's Volvo diesel. It's harder to see any evidence with the boat, but it seems to me the truck runs smoother, less smoky, and gets a touch better mileage. Supposed to lube and protect the injection pump too. 155K miles on the truck engine, 5,553 hours on the boat, no trouble with the internals of either engine.

Buying it in gallons, the cost is minimal. If in fact it improves mileage by 4-5% (which is had to measure accurately, but i have done comparisons with the truck which seem to confirm this) it pays for itself.

[Captains Cat]

Thanks Richard. I've been using that product in that vehicle (Excursion 7.3L Diesel) for about a year. 8 oz. every fillup. Sometimes the fillups are more than 30 gallons though (it holds 47), maybe I just need to use two bottles.

Could be there's something else affecting it too

Charlie

[kennharriet]

Condition of glow plugs also makes a significant difference in cold weather starts.

[Captains Cat]

Thanks Ken. I know they work but with 188K on the vehicle, maybe it's time for checking them.

Charlie

[JamesTXSD]

HI Charlie,

Depending on the location - some stations use blended diesel (#1 and #2) during the winter months. Ask at the station. When we recently had to go north to Nebraska (and -15º weather), we bought blended fuel (most places) or mixed in some #1 diesel.

Stanadyne would be a back up. Moving south is generally helpful, but all bets are off this winter.

Best wishes,
Jim

[Captains Cat]

Just watched a 10 minute video on how to replace the 8 glo plugs. Hope we don't have to do that, I don't want to try it and I'm sure it would be very expensive to have our mechanic do it.

Maybe I'll just have to wait for spring and drive the gas powered jeep in the winter.

Charlie

[BrentB]

Charlie
no help on the fuel but ut of curosity, it does have a engine block heater?

[Captains Cat]

No, it does not. I'm sure one would help but thick oil doesn't seem to be the problem. If we were in Maine for any length of time on the winter, I'd have one.

OTOH, once it's hot, no problem in starting. Glow plugs or block heater, the latter is a lot cheaper!

Charlie

[tsturm]

[kennharriet]

I just replaced the glow plugs on my older 6.5 L Chev. diesel. It went from difficult starting at 40+ deg. F, to instant start at -10 deg. F. The replacement glow plugs are better than the original.

[Hunkydory]

I've run a diesel pickup here in the very cold winters of Wyoming for the last 30 years. In the winter I purchase the 50/50 mix of number 1 & 2 diesel fuel with an additive of Stanadyne for the last 10 years & before that Power Service. Both work well, but believe the Stanadyne better for the motor from past comparisons I've read. With either additive, the winter mix of fuel & a block heater, I've never had starting problems that were not due to bad glow plugs or the solenoid that activates them even with temperatures down to -40 F. My old 1984 ford with the 6.9 L. Diesel motor was a real pain to replace solenoid or plugs, especially with the after market banks turbo in the way. I've heard with many of the newer diesels the glow plugs are not hard to replace. I had that ford for 24 years the last time the glow plugs went out & not thinking it worth their replacing was able to start it for another two years without them working even in the winter as long as the coolant heater which heated & circulated the coolant fluid had been plugged in for at least an hour prior to starting.

Charlie, most likely your starting problem is glow plug related
& not all that expensive to resolve.

Jay

[Captains Cat]

Thanks for all the comments! Once it warms up a little outside (about 10 now!) I'm going to test the glow plug relay. Easy to get to and test, not expensive and easy to replace. A lot easier than the glow plugs too!

Charlie

[Da Nag]

Not sure about the 2000 7.3's, but on mine (1997) GPR's fail frequently. Two went bad for me within the first few years I owned the truck.

There are aftermarket GPR's that are far beefier - replaced mine with one 10+ years back, and it's held up ever since. Read the forums for makes/models that might retrofit if yours is bad.

Also - while the video helps confirm a GPR is bad, my truck always threw a code when it croaked as well. Don't recall what the code was, but the check shown in the video was necessary as the code could be thrown for reasons other than a faulty GPR.

[Will-C]

Back in the old days we used to add methanol about a quart to 75 gallons as I remember. www.powerservice.com is supposed to be the number one selling diesel additive. If you really want to get it running give the air intake a couple spritzes of ether starting fluid while the engine is cranking over. No too much or it will bend you connecting rods. Scary stuff. It will be warmer this weekend. Get the fuel filters changed if it's been a while might have some frozen moisture in there. Or you could have it towed to the Florida Keys. Warm here
D.D.