Additives for Diesel engines?

[Magicman]

Just wondering.  #1 diesel is not available where I live.  Sometimes I have to "glow" the old Lombardini several times before it starts.  Anybody use this stuff?  Good....Bad ??

[york]

Hey,where can you get this stuff???Go ahead and give it a try,can~t hurt...

[bandmiller2]

Majic,I've never used that particular product you would probibly be better to buy a drum of kerosene and mix it in during cold weather.A little Seafoam mixed in won't hurt.The diesel fuel we get now is low sulfur and who knows what else the have done to it.I think a good grade of home heating oil with some kerosene is as good as your going to get.Heating oil varies some of it is fine and better for older diesels if their not on the road[no tax]Frank C.

[Norm]

That is what I use for all my diesel engines here in the great white north.

There is no substitute for a engine heater though, power serve will help but you'll still be using the glow plugs.

[Larry]

I used it in the farm bulk tank cause I worried about condensation.  When I got rid of the tank that was the last I used.  Firm believer in plugging them in...just got done loading lumber...took 20 minutes for my little Ford to heat up nuff to easily start.

Course in your case you might need an extra long cord. ;D

[Magicman]

Course in your case you might need an extra long cord. ;D

Very true.  Right now, my mill is sitting back in the woods, probably 1/4 mile from "trick-uh-licity"..... :D

[Tom Sawyer]

I use that stuff all the time in all my diesels.  In the winter I also plug in when I can.

Tom

[Gary_C]

The best thing I've found for diesel starting in the cold is one of those full synthetic oils in a 5W-40 grade.  All my vehicles have to sit out in the woods where there is no electric hook up and they start so much easier with those synthetic oils.

Some swear by that Power Service additive and some don't like any additives. Most diesel fuel is now blended for your area and could be a blend of #1 and #2 or what is called a winterized fuel. Do not use home heating oil as it is not certified for cetane rating. And it most likely has red dye in it that would cost plenty of dough if you get caught.

At any rate, most cold weather starting problems are slow engine cranking problems or compression problems. First go over your electrical system and clean connections and make sure the battery is being charged fully. Then switch to a synthetic lube oil and change fuel filters and air filters.

[Magicman]

The best thing I've found for diesel starting in the cold is one of those full synthetic oils in a 5W-40 grade......and change fuel filters and air filters.

That will be simple enough to do, and I have a scheduled oil change and service coming up soon.   Thanks....

[sprucebunny]

Here is a study done in 2007 about replacing lost lubricity in the ULSD. The products tested include "winter" additives. The winter additives all seem to do the job but some are better at replacing the lost lubricity.

http://www.johnfjensen.com/Diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf

Gary C; I don't think anyone will bother Magicman about putting dyed diesel in his sawmill.

[bill m]

I use the cetane boost all year round. It does improve my fuel mileage. I also use the Power Service Diesel 9-1-1 in the red container to help prevent fuel gelling and water in the fuel. It does work!

[Mark K]

I feel that that is the best stuff on the market. I've used it for three years in my skidder, truck and the 3 tractors we run during the winter on the farm. No jel-ups since and it ads lubricant to Low sulfur fuel which is very hard on older diesels 8). 911 is great for jel-ups, just dont use to much or you'll be buying an injection pump.

[jcbrotz]

I am a firm believer in synthetics they work wonders in longevity and fuel usage also. I run amsoil in everything I own just cuz I had good luck with it in the old 84. Synthetis will make you engine start easier, run smoother and cooler and thus get better "mileage" Just my opinion some don't agree but if you try it I bielieve you woun't go back to reg. oil again more money but you will get it back in the long run.

[Gary_C]

Gary C; I don't think anyone will bother Magicman about putting dyed diesel in his sawmill.

Oops, you're right. Was thinking about one thing and typing about another. But the only real difference between dyed and undyed now is the dye. They are now both ULSD.

[customsawyer]

Magicman when you park that mill in the winter make sure it is next to a current bush that way you can plug it in. :D :D

[Magicman]

Magicman when you park that mill in the winter make sure it is next to a current bush that way you can plug it in. :D :D

customsawyer......You are a "bad man".  You know that I don't park my mill in the Winter.  Plus our current bushes are all 240 volts and I only need 120..... ;D

Gary C; I don't think anyone will bother Magicman about putting dyed diesel in his sawmill.

:D :D :D  Yup, except when they run out, dyed fuel is all that I have ever used.

[Magicman]

sprucebunny,  That link is interesting.

[sdunston]

Magicman, that is good stuff as a anti gel and a lube and cleaner. Living in the great north I use it all year long. I have never had to use its sister product 911 and have started diesels when it was 10 below zero and never had a gel problem(they did get a shot of starting fuild)
Sam

[Magicman]

(they did get a shot of starting fuild)    Sam 

Which the WM can't have, but my old JD is "plumbed" for it, and the Oliver has to have...... ;D

[solidwoods]

Seems like a heating element in the engine coolant (block and radiator) would be a nice invention.  Since we typically arrive with a vehicle with a dc system, hook up to the heaters to heat the coolant to 170deg and start.
jim

[backwoods sawyer]

I run the high sulfur off road diesel most of the time and will run a tank of #2 diesel ever now and then. My concern normally is not cold weather but damp weather where condensation can be an issue. I mix a anti gelling agent in my 55 gallon bulk tank during the damp season.

[stonebroke]

Magicman  So you really cannot get kerosene inMS? I run 50 % kero in the winter. makes for much easier starting. Power service is great stuff. I use it year round.

Stonebroke

[Magicman]

Magicman  So you really cannot get kerosene inMS? I run 50 % kero in the winter.  Stonebroke

Oh, I can get kerosene.  I tried some last year and was glad to finally get it out of my tank.  If I remember correctly, I put in 100%.  I don't remember what was wrong, but I do remember that I won't do it again.... :(   50% might be OK.

I don't know the quality of the kerosene, or who buys it, or for what use.  I do know that the price was twice what I was paying for off-road Diesel.

[Magicman]

The best thing I've found for diesel starting in the cold is one of those full synthetic oils in a 5W-40 grade.

I just got back from the auto parts store.  Bought 5 Qt. of Rotella Synthetic.  This oil change will last through the rest of December, January, and maybe February. 

I did find that the glow plug relay socket showed evidence of heat.  I cleaned it up and tightened the plug in contacts.  I am now getting full "juice" to the glow plugs.

[stonebroke]

Magicman
You do realize that #1 diesel is kerosene.

Stonebroke