hemsteadc Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) I was in some brutal cold last couple nights, (low 20s, maybe high teens) with full diesel tanks on my 2008 Cummins 8.3L. It's nice and warm now (60s) and will not get that cold again for awhile. I'm planning on leaving on Sunday, but heading to warmer weather and will not be experiencing cold like that. Is my fuel ok? Can I travel tomorrow without concern or has there been any damage done? Edited October 12, 2019 by hemsteadc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 No damage. The only effect of cold temperatures is a temporary thickening of the fuel. If you weren'trunning, you'll never notice it. As soon as the temps climb, the fuel returns to it's earlier state. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted October 12, 2019 Report Share Posted October 12, 2019 If you are going to be in the cold you can add kerosene to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) thanks much. The older I get the more worrying I do. Edited October 13, 2019 by hemsteadc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 The fuel will be fine after temps rise, but the question is, where did you buy the fuel? If you bought it north of the Mason Dixon line, it's already blended for winter use. No worries. If you bought it in FL, you may want to treat it, or add some northern fuel. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 Cortez Co, late september Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 13 minutes ago, hemsteadc said: Cortez Co, late september I'm no sure when they start to winterize the fuel, but I'd not worry too much about it, yet. When we lived in WY we got some diesel that wasn't winterized in our pickup and had fuel jell problems that caused the truck to quit on us one night. We went back the next afternoon to pick it up and it started right up and ran fine. As Jay said, it is a temporary thing and doesn't harm the fuel at all. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 It hit 26° last few nights, but warms up to 60s during day. So I guess that's ok? Is there anything you can actually see when looking at the fuel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 Nope. It's just thicker. Think "Molasses in January ". Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sehc Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 If you have trouble with "summer" fuels when moved to a cold area, some kerosene could be added to "winterize" your fuel. We used pure kerosene (number 1 fuel oil) in our diesels when in the military. here is a link; https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/barns-equipment/mechanics-corner-the-truth-about-diesel-fuels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 Just picked up some additive at Wally's. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 Today's diesel MAY gel at a higher temp than you think because it's mixed with BIO up to 5% WITHOUT telling you. This happened to us in North Dakota. A gallon or quart of the White bottle of Diesel Kleen will solve the issue of gelling. Quote Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orca Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 Last January i hooked up the truck to the trailer and pluged in the block heater in order to get an early start the next morning. The temp dropped to -35 overnight but i wasn't worried cause it was plugged in right? Well she started right up and we waited till she (both the truck and my wife) warmed up! Soon we were headed to the open road....woohoo! Once on the highway i found that i could not get more than 25-30 mph! What the?? I had a quart of 911 that is supposed to thaw frozen fuel in a few minutes but no joy! I had to limp 8 miles to my local truck shop. Had to drop the trailer in his yard and pull into his shop where it was at least warm. After changing the fuel filters i bobtailed to the nearest fuel station and topped up the half full tanks with winter fuel. No more problems. But i did buy a full gallon of 911 in case i ever freeze up again! And Hemsteadc just an FYI 20F is NOT brutally cold! When you are trying to talk to your buddy who is only 10 feet away and he dosn't hear you cause your words froze in mid air and fell to the ground....now that is brutally cold! Quote 2004 Freightliner m2 106 2015 DRV lx450 Fullhouse 2019 Indian Springfield 2014 Yamaha 950 V-Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) Lol..well, it's darn cold enough for this snowbird who will leave earlier next year. I have been in -30 but not with an RV. I take it you had a winterized trailer..? Edited October 14, 2019 by hemsteadc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2019 All is well, no fuel problems. Now enjoying much warmer weather 50 miles west of Flagstaff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 15, 2019 Report Share Posted October 15, 2019 (edited) ...... Edited December 21, 2019 by noteven Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 Fuel starts to cloud at 17 degrees. If you are already driving and you run into cold weather you should be fine because your fuel is warmed my the return line but need to get some additive in soon. Or a blend of no.1 and no. 2 diesel. We run a 50/50 blend on the farm because the bulk barrel is above ground and exposed the 30% blend jelled at -30. On the road you will probably only find a 30% blend but the barrel is under ground so its at a temp or 40-50 degrees when you put it in the tank.. That and with a bottle of howes should be good enough to get anywhere. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted December 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 I never used the additive. I did, however, manage to forget the plastic bottle was directly under my truck tire. What a mess. Sprayed that stuff all over the undercarriage and lots on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imurphy907 Posted December 23, 2019 Report Share Posted December 23, 2019 brutal cold? -35F this weekend around here. Started up the truck for its biweekly session. You don't need to worry about any long term effects from short term cold weather. Quote 2016 Road Warrior 420 2001 Volvo VNL 660 Alaska Based. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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