Has anyone had their LBZ exposed to really cold yet? Im talking -20F or colder? Problems with gelling? Did you use and Additive?

This coming weekend we are looking at temps -25 to -35 F :eek: actual tempeture. Ive been doing fine at about -10 to -14, in fact Im not even plugging it in at night because its been garaged. I have to use the truck this weekend and do plan on plugging her in, but should I use and additive? what Kind?
I already asked the dealer and they said the new ULSD already has anti-gel additives in it. Is this BS?

Thanks

I've seen -40 not plugged in with no problems. Definitely start using an additive at those temps. I've never had a problem with gelling but when it gets that cold I also run an additive.

I was told too that ULSD has anti-gel additives. My truck gelled at about -30C in November as I was not using an additive, I now use Stanadyne Performance Formula in every tank, and it has not gelled since. The coldest it's got since then has been about -30C again so I think it will be alright. I like to plug my truck in below -10C, and I run Amsoil 15w40 Synthetic. Just my 1 cent.

Has anyone had their LBZ exposed to really cold yet? Im talking -20F or colder? Problems with gelling? Did you use and Additive?

This coming weekend we are looking at temps -25 to -35 F :eek: actual tempeture. Ive been doing fine at about -10 to -14, in fact Im not even plugging it in at night because its been garaged. I have to use the truck this weekend and do plan on plugging her in, but should I use and additive? what Kind?
I already asked the dealer and they said the new ULSD already has anti-gel additives in it. Is this BS?

Thanks

It's BS. Have a friend that gelled up at -20 with additive (power service).........if it gets down to -25 or below you best have some #1 in the tank from my experience........unless you want to be sitting by the side of the road somewhere.

Cenex claims their #2 is good for -40 degrees F.

Although it wasn't as cold as this coming weekend, my truck was outside from Friday afternoon thru Sunday morning and it fired up. I believe it got to -8 Sunday morning.

You must be from up nort! Not supposed to get that cold here....only -15 on Saturday night.

Use either the Stanadyne or Power Service in the white bottle. It is "formulated" for ULSD. I have used Howe's in the past but not presently as is has no cetane booster.

Cenex claims their #2 is good for -40 degrees F.

Although it wasn't as cold as this coming weekend, my truck was outside from Friday afternoon thru Sunday morning and it fired up. I believe it got to -8 Sunday morning.

You must be from up nort! Not supposed to get that cold here....only -15 on Saturday night.


:wtf1:We have Cenex around here and I will guarantee you that their #2 fuel is NOT good for -40F!!! Nor is anyone elses for that matter, UNLESS it has #1 blended with it, some places call this their 'winter' fuel, maybe your Cenex has it already blended but is calling it #2? I've got Cenex #2 premium fuel in a storage tank here and it won't even pump out of the tank when it's below zero......above ground tank with filter.

Anywhere north of a line from fargo to brainerd should be prepared for some serious cold stuff this weekend. Ill take your advice with the stanadyne. Ill report back monday on how cold it gets and how the truck runs. She will be sitting on a sheet of ice to boot! Not to scared of driving the diesel out on the lakes now.

#2 true number 2 is not good for - anything. #2 blended w/#1 or straight 1 will be ok. IT depends on when the station gets its fuel whether itll be ok. Depending on how much fuel they use (some big stops get fuel everyday, some every week. Generally I was told by a fuel supplier, They blend fuel based on the customer and 200 mile radius. (ie fuel in FL wouldnt be too good in il. we had this cold snap and trucks lined up all along I39 today w/gelled feul esp southern trucks). I was told they usually try too look 10 days out at the forcast and take the lowest temp and blend for that temp.

It's not the typical "#2". Anyone from the northern areas know that the refineries have a winter blend for the winter and it's still called "#2". I think Cenex calls their winter blend Wintermaster or something like that. I'm just repeating what I read on their sign at the pump, not that I'm going to trust it completely if it gets down that low.


When did you fill that storage tank with #2? Big difference depending on the time of year. Summer #2 is not the same as winter #2.

It's not the typical "#2". Anyone from the northern areas know that the refineries have a winter blend for the winter and it's still called "#2". I think Cenex calls their winter blend Wintermaster or something like that. I'm just repeating what I read on their sign at the pump, not that I'm going to trust it completely if it gets down that low.


When did you fill that storage tank with #2? Big difference depending on the time of year. Summer #2 is not the same as winter #2.

If it says #2, not a blend.........I wouldn't trust it, unless they're going to come and get you going if you have a problem. The stations here (South Dakota) are marked with the blend percentages if they're blended, otherwise they will have a #2 pump and a #1 pump, you blend your own. Talked to a bulk fuel supplier the other day, and he said in no way would he run the #2 fuel in these extreme cold temps, even with additive. This was from a Cenex supplier.

I filled the storage tank early this winter. Also this fuel has a generous supply of power service blended with it.

I wouldn't run summer #2 in the winter either, but the #2 at the pumps now is a winter blend...for the most part. If there is a #1 and a #2 pump, I assume that the #2 isn't winter blend unless it's marked as such. This stuff at the Cenex is a winter mix.

:wtf1:We have Cenex around here and I will guarantee you that their #2 fuel is NOT good for -40F!!! Nor is anyone elses for that matter, UNLESS it has #1 blended with it, some places call this their 'winter' fuel, maybe your Cenex has it already blended but is calling it #2? I've got Cenex #2 premium fuel in a storage tank here and it won't even pump out of the tank when it's below zero......above ground tank with filter.

It's probably the same stuff as Arctic Diesel marketed by Koch. It's been out a couple years and is not a #1 / #2 blend but has some other magic to it. I've had no issues running it...no additives.

It's probably the same stuff as Arctic Diesel marketed by Koch. It's been out a couple years and is not a #1 / #2 blend but has some other magic to it. I've had no issues running it...no additives.

If it's not a 1-2 blend, I would be like to know what the magic is that's in it? I'm just curious what it might be.

http://www.cenex.com/default.asp?Page=005295679&Path=0;0;0#a4

I guess they claim -35, not -40 as I originally said. Big deal. That's still cold!

Arctic Diesel
http://www.premiumdiesel.com/product/arctic.aspx

Koch is now Flint Hills. The local Flint refinery brews it.

I wouldn't run summer #2 in the winter either, but the #2 at the pumps now is a winter blend...for the most part. If there is a #1 and a #2 pump, I assume that the #2 isn't winter blend unless it's marked as such. This stuff at the Cenex is a winter mix.

So you're saying the winter fuel is a blend..........sorry, I must have misinterpreted what you were saying in your previous posts.

The Magic is that it comes out of the crack tower closer to a #1 than a #2, add a good shot of anti-gel and cetane improver to it and you have a premium winter fuel that is not a blend or a #2.

It is a good fuel but can still have problems.

...and a shot of 2% bio to top it all off.

Arctic Diesel
http://www.premiumdiesel.com/product/arctic.aspx

Koch is now Flint Hills. The local Flint refinery brews it.

Wow, that must be some good stuff.........I have never heard of it. I think power service advertises down to -25 or -30 but I have had problems with it more than once at temps not as cold as that.

''You go or Howes pays the tow''

The problem w/that is if you read the fine print you have to have been using (proved by receipts), for so man y tanks, days (dont remember and dont have a bottle w/me right now)prior to the fuel gelling etc. If you expect a cold snap dump a bottle in and it gels they wont cover you. You shouldnt getl i f you dump a bottle(or ounces) in your truckand drive it shake it up and run it to make sure it gets up to the fuel fitler etc. Dont fill up, park it when you get home and then dump some in and expect it to start the next morning.''You go or Howes pays the tow''

Any fuel that says it good to -30 or -40 or whatever is pure BULL ****!!! Im not saying that its not good fuel but I work at a Freightliner dealership and we have local trucks and non local trucks dropping like flies this week. No matter how good the fuel is if it gets moisture in it, either from their tanks or from your own vehicle it will freeze. Ive seen a ton of trucks this week some using additive and some not because they were "told" the fuel didnt need it. Fuel gets hot when the vehicle is running and cools off when it sets that causes condensation and moisture build up. Moral of the story...... for all of us up north, use some additive to keep the moisture blended so it gets burnt with the fuel and reduce the chance of gelling or freezing. Good luck guys:D

Any fuel that says it good to -30 or -40 or whatever is pure BULL ****!!! Im not saying that its not good fuel but I work at a Freightliner dealership and we have local trucks and non local trucks dropping like flies this week.

Exactly. In this extreme cold (-10 and below) how many guys do you see that get by with additive only? I have seen time and again where guys are gelled up believing the power service and howes claims.

I've never used an additive. Just the right fuel. ;)

I've never used an additive. Just the right fuel. ;)

Well, you just can't argue with that!!!! :D

I ran my truck in -45C so thats like what -50F I think. no fuel additaves. Northern Alberta They add it to the fuel in the pumps up here. no problems. started in the garage and ran all day outside. no problems. stayed at about 80 the whole way to work, chrome winterfront... tranny only came up a needle width. 200KM to work and back. heater was awesome, blows hot even while sitting.

mines not an LBZ, but -28* so far, glow plug light was barely on for 2 or 3 seconds, fired right up, no additives and not being plugged in.

you shoulda seen the smoke show tho....

The problem w/that is if you read the fine print you have to have been using (proved by receipts), for so man y tanks, days (dont remember and dont have a bottle w/me right now)prior to the fuel gelling etc. If you expect a cold snap dump a bottle in and it gels they wont cover you. You shouldnt getl i f you dump a bottle(or ounces) in your truckand drive it shake it up and run it to make sure it gets up to the fuel fitler etc. Dont fill up, park it when you get home and then dump some in and expect it to start the next morning.

I know exactly what you're saying and you're right and I'm right too--just like anything else,you have to stay consistant--I try and fill up at nite to minimize overnite condensation,use good fuel--treated{hopefully},and use at EVERY tankful your own additive.I elect Howes for both lubricity and anti-gelling.Never had a problem in 33 years.You would'nt expect Howes to back their claim if you were a sporadic user, now would you?United Van Lines--owns 6700 Tractors--all run Howes --no problems.

I use POWER SERVICE in the white bottle when they start calling for real cold temps. No problems yet knock on wood.

Howes................... ;) hammadown

Ive used howes and straight #2 and gelled i made it home and called and *@tched and they sent me a whole case of product. We have a cenex in where i get my fuel and they just use the roadmaster #2 disel so we have to blend i have a full tank of fuel and only 10 gallons of #1 in her i hope im gonna be alright with -25 temps all weekend

Ive used howes and straight #2 and gelled i made it home and called and *@tched and they sent me a whole case of product. We have a cenex in where i get my fuel and they just use the roadmaster #2 disel so we have to blend i have a full tank of fuel and only 10 gallons of #1 in her i hope im gonna be alright with -25 temps all weekend

When you gelled,were you using Howes regularly,like every fill-up,and did you use enough for the lowest temperature your truck saw?What temp. did it happen at?Was it diesel from a station or home heating fuel?

Ive used howes and straight #2 and gelled i made it home and called and *@tched and they sent me a whole case of product. We have a cenex in where i get my fuel and they just use the roadmaster #2 disel so we have to blend i have a full tank of fuel and only 10 gallons of #1 in her i hope im gonna be alright with -25 temps all weekend

Don't feel like the lone ranger.........it happens alot. I would think you would be fine with 10 gallons of #1.....assuming you have the smaller tank.

What was their excuse for it not working? I would like to know how they (any of them) can make these claims without getting sued for false advertising.

-16 here, block heat was in use so it wasnt to bad.

I just add a gallon of gasoline...regular octane to 20 gallons of diesel. Never had it jell up yet :D

I use fuel from the local coop that gets used by a lot of truckers so its fresh i use howes regurally i normally double the dose when its spose to get colder then ****

I've seen -35f so far and no problems, no additives either.

did u blend some #1 in that i have a hard time beliveing that

my freind 06 lbz just gelled up on him today. what kind of filter is the best or what additives should he use. he lives in mn to. he does not have a computer to access this.

my freind 06 lbz just gelled up on him today. what kind of filter is the best or what additives should he use. he lives in mn to. he does not have a computer to access this.

All the fuel filters are made by Racor,so no matter what the ''brand'' is,they are all the same.Hopefully ,by now,he's not gelled and running but nevertheless he should change that filter ASAP.Gelling leaves behind some strange gunk--not good.I swear by Howes,a little common sense--if it's extremely cold,double or triple the dose--wo'nt hurt a thing.

thanx i wil let him know he was flippin out only has 10,000 and some change. also im gonna get that howes. ihad to go and buy afilter for him acdelco cause hes at work but we will be wrenching tonight thanx.

I know everyone's got there own opinion and alot of different products work, but in my opinion unless you're a trucker, there's really no reason not to run #1 when it gets this cold. Right now the price difference between 1 and 2 is only 10 to 20 cents. I run howes pretty regularly and don't have any trouble, but i try to run 1 when it gets this cold. To me it's not worth sitting along side the road for a few dollars a tank.

So you guys are running Fuel conditioner off the shelf when it gets cold??? :eek: yikes. You do realise that all that does is breakes up the water so your motor will burn it right? if there is that much water in the fuel there... I would switch stations first...

My LBZ just gelled tonight. The temps are about -10f and I am using Power Service. It was not fun driving her home towing snowmobiles! All the Auto parts stores were closed. Tomorrow I will be buying 2 fuel filters and keeping one in the truck.

So you guys are running Fuel conditioner off the shelf when it gets cold??? :eek: yikes. You do realise that all that does is breakes up the water so your motor will burn it right? if there is that much water in the fuel there... I would switch stations first...


:think: Not sure about that. Check out stanadyne website. I just started using this product and it works great, improved my fuel mileage also. Does alot more than break up water.

My LBZ just gelled tonight. The temps are about -10f and I am using Power Service. It was not fun driving her home towing snowmobiles! All the Auto parts stores were closed. Tomorrow I will be buying 2 fuel filters and keeping one in the truck.

After you get it un-gelled, get some #1 in the tank!!!

When it gets that cold it's the only safe way to keep from gelling.

I put about 10 gal of #1 in on Friday anticipating this cold weather so I'm approximately at 50/50 mix. The truck barely turned over Saturday morning after sitting on the lake all night but she fired after a few rotations. Went into town and was back at the lake around 10:30am and fired it again at 7pm on the lake and once again it had a hard time cranking but fired relatively quickly. I don't think the batteries had too many cranks left if it wouldn't have started right away.

I had a deep cycle in the fish house that I was tempted to jumper to the other two for a 3-bank start just in case. :D

Been to -20 using a healthy dose of Howes with #2 in Vermont,overnite,not plugged in---NO GELLING. There's more to good fuel maintenance besides just using an additive.The most important thing is to try in the winter to keep your tank topped off as much as possible to limit condensation.Those that just constantly get $20-$30 of fuel are the ones who will be off on the side of the road some cold day. IT WILL catch up to you.

Dumb question guys, # 1 is Kerosene i believe? Its o k to mix 50 / 50 when temps are around Zero? Thanks, this is my first diesel!:D

Dumb question guys, # 1 is Kerosene i believe? Its o k to mix 50 / 50 when temps are around Zero? Thanks, this is my first diesel!:D

Yeah--it's OK as long as it's cold out because kero will not lube your systemwhen it's warm--too thin.Don't know why you'd want to though--a good additive will get the job done.

Well i have a couple friends that haul fuel here in iowa and they claim that they start hauling winter blend ( no 2 ) in late oct or early nov. At work, our head mechanic mixes our fuel after its delivered. He gets really pissed when we get him out of bed in the middle of the nite with a stalled truck.. Arm

:( .... I fueled on Friday... and temps hit -30c and -48c with the wind chill. Nonetheless, I added FPPF Arctic 4+... more than whats recommended.. and I have been for about the last 8 tank fulls. I was held to 2000 rpm and my engine light came on. So I took my truck inside for 15 minutes, and treid to restart and the light went out, and I was on my way, or so I thought. Left it sit outside for 18 hours, and started it up, got 2 blocks and engine light was back on. Pulled it inside and went to the truck stop and purchased some Lucas Extreme Cold fuel conditioner.

I added a 1/6 of the jug , and swished it around. Started the truck and 20 seconds later, the light went out. For good measure, I replaced my fuel filter, as I figured it may have been some moisture in it, that was causing fuel restriction. All seems well now.

Storman22

You're filter is most likely clogged and needed to be changed the first time you gelled. The parafin wax (gel) will stick to the filter pleats and it's rendered useless and will not flow like it should. It's the wax, not the moisture, that will put a truck on the side of the road.


I believe that some care has to be taken when using additives because they don't recommend using one that contains alcohol. The manual has a section about additives and I'm sure they'd glady revoke your warranty if they found someone with the wrong additive in the fuel if it were checked, not to mention the effect it can have on the injectors with the games it plays with the water.

Some additives ARE okay to use.

Stanadyne Fuel Additives are approved by the following manufactures

Ford GM / Chevy Navistar Volkswagen Caterpillar John Deere

Well i have a couple friends that haul fuel here in iowa and they claim that they start hauling winter blend ( no 2 ) in late oct or early nov. At work, our head mechanic mixes our fuel after its delivered. He gets really pissed when we get him out of bed in the middle of the nite with a stalled truck.. Arm

Could you explain, what is winter blend (no 2)?

Could you explain, what is winter blend (no 2)?

Usually it's a mix of #1{kerosene} and #2 with anti-gel additives.The percentages is based on the projected mean temperatures{read that really f***ing cold}.Now keep in mind this is what it was before ULSD came around--don't know for sure if this will change.Any fuel gurus out there?

Been to -20 using a healthy dose of Howes with #2 in Vermont,overnite,not plugged in---NO GELLING. There's more to good fuel maintenance besides just using an additive.The most important thing is to try in the winter to keep your tank topped off as much as possible to limit condensation.Those that just constantly get $20-$30 of fuel are the ones who will be off on the side of the road some cold day. IT WILL catch up to you.

Im a beliver in howes but ive gelled up with a full tank -10 out and a very healthy dose of howes before i think in winter when it gets at least run a 70-30 mix of #2 and #1 with some howes and youll be fine

Im a beliver in howes but ive gelled up with a full tank -10 out and a very healthy dose of howes before i think in winter when it gets at least run a 70-30 mix of #2 and #1 with some howes and youll be fine

Maybe the fuel you were running was'nt winterized.Anything's possible--just a thought.What pisses me off is being that 99% of gas stations are owned/run by push and pull starts and this is America,why they can't learn to speak English and know the product they're selling.I have NEVER got a straight answer as to how much the diesel in the winter has been cut with kero. I don't bother anymore--it's like trying to teach a pig to dance--you get aggravated and it annoys the pig.

-23 F on Sat. morning, Sitting on the Lake, Have power service additive.
fired up no problem, Truck ran flawlessly. Bitterly Cold wind chills that day, temp. only warmed up to -18 and the wind chill was -41.

lubricity plus fuel power, -15 this morning, outside(always is), NOT plugged in, Rotella 15w40 and the damn thing still started. I wanted a day off but still didn't get it.

-15 this morning in eastern MN, truck started fine, but would not go over 30mph. I let it sit for 30 min. in driveway, then it went fine, even under hard throttle. The day before I must have had crap fuel, and she would'nt run worh a crap, and cel popped on with a low fuel pressure code. I put power service red bottle in, plus a half a tank of good fuel, and after a while it ran better. But what a pain when she gellin. I am going to pick up some ams oil additive today and we will see how that works. I also use ams oil in engine as well, and do not plug the truck in. So from now on, and alot less headaches, I will run an additive. I think from all the mild winters here, gas suppliers are taking the cheap way out, and not putting all the additives in right from the get go. less additives=more profit!

Here in Maine, Irving Fuel is producing thier Artic Blend they claim good to -60F. They claim the Artic Blend is 60% D1 to 40% D2. I run this fuel and our coldest has been -35f and I have not gelled. I also put about 10oz of Shaffers (soy shield) as well as approx a qt of 2 stroke. My truck lives outside, I have had no problems, so far. I have two friends that have been running Citco and Exxon that have winter blend 50/50. They both have gelled.

http://www.irvingoil.com/dloads/refinery/03090%20ARCTIC%20DIESEL%20MSDS.pdf

I was told too that ULSD has anti-gel additives. My truck gelled at about -30C in November as I was not using an additive, I now use Stanadyne Performance Formula in every tank, and it has not gelled since. The coldest it's got since then has been about -30C again so I think it will be alright. I like to plug my truck in below -10C, and I run Amsoil 15w40 Synthetic. Just my 1 cent.

If there is anti-gel in it then it's worthless, we didn't see the extreme cold temps most of Viking land has encountered and my truck started choking when we were still in the teens. I put Power Service in it and topped it off before the temps dropped into the negatives and still had no power above 2000 rpm. I limped to the Walmart hoping to score some 911 Power Service but they were sold out and I didn't make it out of the Walmarx parking lot. I had to call a hook and get towed to the dealer just a few miles down the road. Every diesel owner I've spoken with this week has had problems except those with heated garages. Alas my rig is too tall for the garage. :mad: The coldest temp I've seen this winter is -12!!! That'd be downright balmy in Minnesota so WTF!!!:mad:

Well, I put the cold flow improver made by amsoil, and no problems. I let my truck run for about 25 mins, and I have full power right out of the driveway. my truck lives outside too, and I have not plugged it in. Starts right now everytime!

lol all you guys have -20ish degree temps...here in co its 40-50* a.k.a short sleeve weather! lol Must be that damn george bush and his global warming huh?????? :lol: