Get ready for winter, your advice welcome

[DieselWarrior]

Since this is my first (and last) diesel, I am wanting to get advice.

1) When should I plug in the block heater?

2) From what I read, diesel comes in a "winter" formula?

3) Other than my Stadadyne additive, anything else I should consider?

4) Anything 'special' I should do for "extream" temps, for us in Virginia that would be 0 to 10 deg. F. from time to time.

Thanks!
Andrew

 

[imiceman44]

Since this is my first (and last) diesel, I am wanting to get advice.

1) When should I plug in the block heater?

2) From what I read, diesel comes in a "winter" formula?

3) Other than my Stadadyne additive, anything else I should consider?

4) Anything 'special' I should do for "extream" temps, for us in Virginia that would be 0 to 10 deg. F. from time to time.

Thanks!
Andrew

I don't know about your area, but most areas now don't carry #1 for winter use, the additives are usually fine for keeping #2 happy, I know I have had mine in -15 F and started fine, it does sound a little noisier when it's that cold for about a minute and then smoothes out.

 

[DieselWarrior]

it does sound a little noisier when it's that cold for about a minute and then smoothes out.

Im familiar with that... All the duces, CUCVs and HMMWVs in the motor pool sounded sick and lame after first very cold startup... after they warmed up they were purring like a kitty.

Thanks for the info!

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Some guys plug their stuff in all night but when I lived in Northern Michigan and was forced to drive Big Ugly half of one winter I would just plug it in when I got up and most of the time it was a quick starter 45 minutes later.


Good batteries and good glowplugs.

 

[Diesel Driver]

i dont have a block heater in my m1008 yet but i plug my Cummins powered dodge in at anything under 40 just because i hate cold starts and it gets down close to zero here in PA..

yes the is a winter formula of diesel. not everywhere gets it tho.

if your stanadyne additive protects against gelling then your golden, thats all you need.

as for the extremely cold temps try not to let it idle for extended periods if the engine isnt up to op temp.