Questions about diesel fuels?

[C-Money]

I run Power Service additive in the white jug every time I fill. It has anti-gel and sulfer additive in it, is not very expensive. I actually get a little better mileage with it than without it. 

run it constantly in my 00 7.3l

I ran that in my old 6.9 in the winter, never had any issues. I did not use it in the summer, but that was before they went to ultra low sulfer fuel. I kinda miss my old pickup, to bad she died.....

[jeepasaurusrex]

I've also noticed that while running winter blend fuel my mileage drops off quite a bit. If you run either the gray or white bottle Power Service it will raise your Cetane level. Think of it as raising the octane level of gas.

[TwoSixFourWins]

I have an 01 cummins and lived in Norhtern MN for 5 years where it was below zero most of the winter. These are my findings with cold weather and diesel.  Use Power Service white bottle but don't overdo it as i am pretty sure it eats injectors if used too much. 911(red bottle)  is the saving grace of cold weather diesel owners. Change your fuel filter BEFORE it gets really cold. DO IT!!!!! Number one decreases power and mileage and is more expensive. Run number 2 with some additive. Run your truck at least a half hour every other day if you can't plug it in. Keep your batteries charged!!!! Nose the front end out of the wind when you park (believe me it works) If you preheat the motor more than one cycle be sure to run the truck enough to recharge the batteries as preheating uses a lot of juice. From what i have seen in my area since i moved here it is not super cold and Number 1 is totally unnecessary. Just splash some power service in every tank and make sure your fuel filter is new before winter. Power strokes are more finicky in the cold so be sure your batteries are up to snuff and plug in the block heater for at least 2 hours if you can. I tsaves a lot on the batteries. Run a thinner oil in the winter if you feel comfortable with it. Just my experience having to live with -30 degrees in Northern MN.

[TwoSixFourWins]

Stanadyne is also good additive as some other posters mentioned.

[Woodchuck]

Where at in northern MN?

[TwoSixFourWins]

Crookston

[Woodchuck]

  PM sent

[Special T]

JLS bio diesel does have great lubricity properties, however it gells at a mcu lower temp than #2. Bio blends are great for low sulfer during warmer months but not so much when its cold. I have not read up a bunch tho on how the differnt additives affect the bio blend..

[JLS]

I'd be curious on the additives.  I've bought it in Missoula, and it said it had winterizing additives in it also.

I've only had my diesel gel up on me one time in North Dakota, minus 30.  I was running straight number 2 with an additive that was plant based and supposed to have anti-gel properties.  It didn't, so you might be on to something.  Honestly, here in WA I'm not too worried about it.

Having operated mine for ten years in the northern plains also, a couple thoughts on twosixtyfour's advice:

Run synthetic oil in the winter if a block heater is not readily available.  Much quicker oil flow and easier startup.

Check your serpentine belt regularly.  I had to change one once that broke on a cold startup in minus 20.  No fun.

Take care of your batteries and cables.  I've had to cycle my intake heater twice on numerous occasions, and it does put a tremendous drain on your batteries.

[wildweeds]

That powerstroke guy reccomends doing that service every 5k for improved and prolonged injector life

actually wildweeds I did do that when i changed a bad injector 

[sebek556]

  i didnt know about it till then 

[TwoSixFourWins]

In cold weather stay the H#LL away from ANYTHING plant based including biodiesel. Especially biodiesel and biodiesel blends.

[bearpaw]

Thanks for the info about #2 diesel getting better mileage. I have done some interstate driving and can see it does get better mileage so i fill with it unless the weather is too cold. 

[TwoSixFourWins]

Oh and one more thing i forgot. Keep your tank at least half full or more as much as possible. Water can condense on the inside of an empty tank and run down in your fuel in cold weather.

[bearpaw]

I've had to cycle my intake heater twice on numerous occasions, and it does put a tremendous drain on your batteries.

When cooler than 40 degrees it seems like I need to either be plugged in or I have to cycle my heaters several times depending how cold it is. I am running a 2003 7.3 ford. Starts fine the first time if over 40.