I own a 76 300D with the 617OM in it... I wont use it after the snows on the ground (and the retards bury it with salt), but that wont be for a while... The problem is that its getting cold out (its about 35 degrees as I type)
I am currious as to what temp I should put in number two. My delema is tht I just filled up with diesel 50 miles ago, but that was a month ago (i only have my temps) If I get the urge to take it to a resturaunt with my mom, I CANT have it turn into wax...

SO i have aproxamitly 17 gallons (i think its a 19gallon tank) of summer fuel, and most likely dont drive enough to burn alot of it out... I also am new to the diesel scene, and I dont know how to tell when it's the winterized fuel (and what do they do to it anyways?)

Really I'm only asking When I need to put in winter fuel, what to do with my 17gallons of diesel if it drops below that point, and how to tell when they have the winter oil in it...

Thanks alot, I REALLY appreciate it
~Nate

Add a couple gallons of kerosene.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

I am 15, and allthough I know what kerosene is, i dont know where to get it...

Then my other two questions remain unanswered... When's the coldest I can run summer fuel, and how to I tell it the tanks are full of summer or winter fuel.

Thanks alot
~Nate

many service stations that sell diesel also sell kerosene. Winter fuel is #2("summer fuel") mixed with some #1(kerosene). If you are really concerned about it, you can drain off a bit and pop a small jar of it in the freezer with a thermometer.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

You don't have to worry while in the 30's. My veggie oil is still liquid at 30 degrees.
You have a 76 so you can add a gallon of gasoline to the tank now if you want.

__________________
82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

#2 diesel will not begin to give filter plugging problems until around 10F, so don't worry yet.

There are several solutions for when it gets colder than that, but some are better than others.

The easiest thing to do is to add a bit of Powerservice Diesel Kleen, or another diesel fuel additive that modifies the wax compounds to keep them from gelling. These additives also raise cetane and lubricate things, which helps too. These products can lower the gel point by over 30F on their own. If you live in a very cold place, one of the best anti-gel additives on the market is Powerservice Arctic Express, which prevents fuel gelling problems with #2 diesel at temperatures as low as -40F. Its seriously good stuff.

Also, of note to biodieselers, Powerservice now has an Arctic Express specifically for biodiesel blends, and boasts that their additive will lower the cold filter plugging point of B20 to nearly -40F! Sweet.

The other solution is to blend with #1 diesel, or kerosene. Usually you'd throw in a few gallons before filling the rest of the way up with #2 diesel. Its available at many filling stations that sell diesel, but try truck stops and 'rural' gas stations first, they are most likely to carry it. However, #1 diesel is more expensive, lowers fuel economy, and lowers lubricity of the fuel (all bad things), so while it works fine, you can get better success, along with other benefits, by using an anti-gel additive.

And finally, I recommend throwing a bottle of Powerservice Diesel 911 in your trunk. All the major additives are meant to be added to ungelled fuel to keep it from gelling. If you add it to fuel that is already gelled, it does no good. Diesel 911, on the other hand, is intended to de-gel fuel that has already gelled up, so its cheap insurance to have on hand in case you get stuck somewhere.

peace,
sam

__________________
"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

I don't know when they switch over in my area but I just use Power Service in the white bottle come winter time and have never had a problem. I guess if it bothers you throw a little kerosene in the tank.

If the car sits a lot with a tank less then full that is the perfect environment for algea to grow. I would recomend adding a little Biobor everytime you fill up.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I wouldn't lose sleep over it yet. I found myself in Green Bay last February when it was hitting -10F overnight. I had the 300D outside at a hotel with the block heater plugged in. I didn't have any fuel problems using pump diesel (with an anti-gel additive from a truck stop), but I did discover I needed a new battery.

I try to keep the tank topped off, and I get fuel from a high turnover station... Havent gotten any alge in my last fuel filter that would consern me. Last time I did the filters (3 weeks ago) there were like 4 specs in the prefilter, none in the main).. I suspect thats parcially from when it sat for 8 years with a half tank of fuel


I guess theres nothing against going to the gas station, and asking if they have the winterized fuel in yet...

Thanks alot, I really appreiate it
Very good info phidauex, and andmoon, EXACTLY what I wanted

~Nate