Diesel rigs in extreme cold

[bornhunter]

Anyone do anything other than maybe a block heater for diesel rigs in extreme cold. Going to look at some property in eastern Montana and wonder about additives or other things to do for my 6.7?

[jackson7]

add some anti gelling fuel additive. I am good down to 15 degrees without plugging in.

[jmscon]

The local stations over there will have a diesel #1 blend that should work most of the time but I’d carry some anti gel with you for those deep freezes.

[jackelope]

Always best to plug in. In those areas, the fuel is more than likely already winterized.

[usmc74]

Years ago my boss installed a propane powered block heater on his diesel Blazer

[hunt3636223]

Some white jug Power Service diesel additive is good insurance for anti-gelling plus helps lubricate the fuel system.  I use it year round (silver jug in warm months). As stated above fuel in cold climate areas is often a No. 1 & 2 blend to lover the wax/gel point of the fuel. Plugging in isn’t required on a lot of newer diesels but when below freezing it helps them start and warm up so much easier. I personally have mine on a timer to come on a couple hours before I take off in the morning.  Plenty of time to get everything up to temp . 

[KFhunter]

cover 3/4 of the radiator with some corrugated plastic cardboard.   political signs work well.  regular card board works in a pinch


change oil in all your running gear to synthetic for cold weather


and as stated, plug it in always.  When it's not tooo cold you could put the plug on a timer to save some energy, have it turn on 1hr before your commute.  If it's bitter cold plug it in always and blanket the engine and have a battery warmer


winter blend fuel can gel too, had it happen when I got 60 below zero up north in Canada,  lot of trucks were gelling that week for sure even with winter blend.   If that polar vortex comes down and you get a freakish cold snap add more anti-gel for good measure, and carry spare fuel filter. 

oh and make sure you have good radiator fluid, radiators will freeze up fast if you have old or improperly blended fluid, then you'll overheat your engine.

[bornhunter]

Wow. Thanks everyone. I need to do some shopping!

[PolarBear]

Some white jug Power Service diesel additive is good insurance for anti-gelling plus helps lubricate the fuel system.  I use it year round (silver jug in warm months). As stated above fuel in cold climate areas is often a No. 1 & 2 blend to lover the wax/gel point of the fuel. Plugging in isn’t required on a lot of newer diesels but when below freezing it helps them start and warm up so much easier. I personally have mine on a timer to come on a couple hours before I take off in the morning.  Plenty of time to get everything up to temp .

[bornhunter]

Another question because you guys have much better answers than our local dealer. How long should stock batteries last in a 2015 Ram diesel. My old 2000 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 in it, the batteries lasted almost 11 years.

[jackelope]

4-6 years is probably average here, I'd say.

11 years is almost unheard of! You got your money's worth out of that one.
 

[Jpmiller]

I always plug mine in if it's going to be below freezing if for nothing else than the heater warms up almost instantly  I have an anti gel treatment I use when it gets below ten or so as most of my fill ups are in Seattle where winterized diesel is apparently as available as moon rocks.

[bornhunter]

4-6 years is probably average here, I'd say.

11 years is almost unheard of! You got your money's worth out of that one.

I did. When I went in to get new ones at Costco the guys there couldnt believe it until they saw the dates on the old ones.

[bornhunter]

I always plug mine in if it's going to be below freezing if for nothing else than the heater warms up almost instantly  I have an anti gel treatment I use when it gets below ten or so as most of my fill ups are in Seattle where winterized diesel is apparently as available as moon rocks.

 

[CAMPMEAT]

I plugged my '13 Duramax in when I lived in Curlew. Never had a problem even at -10 below zero or more.