Ok
So I'm new to the whole diesel fun and this will be my first winter. I realize I could probably do a search to find the answer to my questions, but this seems so much simpler if some of you would be kind and patient enough to reply to this thread.
I am in Nebraska so it will potentialy go below zero a few times over the winter. I was told by a couple of guys that during warm weather I should be funning #2 for better mileage and performance. I was also told that #2 with additive will get me by down to arround 0 degrees, but if the forcast is for below zero to do with a #1/#2 mix with the additive. Does this sound right to you guys?
Also, I've been buying at a truck stop along the interstate and I think I am buying #2, but I guess it really doesn't say that anywhere. Will they switch their fuel for winter? Do I need to ask the stations which fuel they use and if they switch and when?

 

I ran straight #2 and power service (in the white bottle) for three winters with temperatures down to -30F with no problems. Although I have my suspicion it might be hard on the second generation (vp44 fed) lift pump.

If you are buying your fuel at a truck stop at the front pumps where gas is sold the fuel is usually blended #1 and #2. If your buying your fuel where the big rigs fuel up you have a choice of either #1 or #2.

Stations around here (ND) usually start blending around Oct. 1st.

I would not run any dilution greater than 50/50 of 1 and 2. A mix of 60% #2 and 40% #1 should be more than safe for your region. I personally would run #2 with additive and forget about blending for your region but like I said earlier the front pumps are already blended if it makes you feel more comfortable.

 

The front pumps are marked "premium diesel". I was under the impression that this was #1. Is it a blend?

 

Having gelled more than a few times in cold Wyoming, I am a little cautious about fuel, myself. Most of the fuel here is a 60/40 blend for winter. I also use Stanadyne fuel additive, which should help. Any good fuel additive like the ones discussed on this forum should work for you. Regarding "premium" diesel, I have never been able to discern any difference between that marked "premium" and other fuel that does not carry that label.

 

No.1 is not premium diesel. No.1 does not have the BTU's per volume that No.2 has so it will give you less performance and mileage but it will not gel like straight No.2. If you run No.1 straight, I would use an extra lubricant with it. I ran No.1 all winter last winter and it had no ill affects on my truck. In order for No.1 to be sold at the pump for vehicle fuel, it is supposed to meet a specific lubricity standard that will not damage your engine but I would still use an additive for cheap insurance. For the record, No.1 and kerosene are not the exact same fuel. Kerosene does not have the lubricity additives our engines need. You would have to use sufficient additives to run kerosene.

This year I will more than likely run a blend or straight No.2 with white PS. HTP.

 

What exactly are the differences in #1 & #2? FYI- the grey Power Service bottle boots Cetane more & is the same price.

 

the #2 fuel is usually around a 45-47 cetane level where the premium diesel is usually at least 50 cetane level. I notice about a +2 mpg difference when I can get my hands on premo. You should be able to tell the difference between #2 and #1blend. While straight #2 has a green color, the blend usually has a little more of a bluish tint to it.

 

anyone in colorado know when and iff they blend our diesel?

new to owning this thing. so how do i know what the cetane level in my fuel is.
should it be labeled like octane. i never noticed but then again i never looked

i learn something new about my truck everyday

i live at 8500 ft so it gets cold here. really cold.

 

The power service in the grey bottle does not have anti-gel in it for winter use. You can still use it but you would have to use some other anti-gel additive.

Not all additives have anti-gel in them.

Do not use power service 911 for an additive, only for emergency when the fuel has already gelled.

There is no standard for diesel fuel at this time as far as cetane is concerned, your pump labeled premium could be any cetane number or just an additive or lubricity modifier and they can label it premium. Premium does not mean anything was added either.

Color of diesel does not indicate premium, #2, or #1. Some companies add a tint for verious reasons but color from one distributor to another does not mean the same thing. The only color you would want to be concerned about is red, that is a univeral color for off road use only, no taxes which make it illegal to use with stiff fines in some states and not so stiff in others.

Like I said earlier I ran my truck for three winters with straight #2 with power service antil gel in the white bottle and no problems, even started at -30F, smoked like hell when she fired but still started and ran o.k.

If one was concerned then the solution would be to run the fuel at the pumps in the front of the station and an anti-gel additive. I would recomend an anti-gel at every fill starting November through April around here or when temps start dipping close to +30 often. I like to start a little early on the additives just in case there is a little water in the fuel tank to begin with. Gives it time to get it out of there before the real cold sets in.

The basic difference in #1 and #2 for gelling purposes is the amount of paraffins in the fuel or in other words wax in the fuel. When the temps drop the fuels viscocity gets thicker because of the amount of wax to the point it turns into a white crude that will not flow through the filter.

 

Can you recomend an Anti-Gel additive that will not destroy the fuel module components? Some will adversly affect the float and other components in the module. I recently replaced one for $420.00 (includes labor), because of erratic fuel guage.

 

Some of my fellow Albertans should be able to offer some help here. I personally didn't add anything the last two winters. It's cold all winter long and we had temps go below -40 on a couple nights.

 

edsals,
I don't think any of the name brand fuel additive will hurt the fuel components, just stay away from any additive that has alcohol in it.


dealseeker,
I think the reason your truck did not gel up is because in the really cold climates like yours and mine the stations know enough to blend and most add an additive for anti-gelling. I think your skating on thin ice though if your not adding an anti-gel additive. It's only a matter of time before you accumulate enough condensation to create problems.

 

I have always added a little Power Service in the white bottle if i am not sure abought the blend of fuel I am getting or if i am afraid it is not blended at all. I have yet to have any problems. If I know i got good fuel that is blended 50/50 I typicaly dont bother with the PS unless we are in our yearly cold snap where it does not get above 0 for a few weeks at a time.