Winterizing

[LKTraz]

0

Please do one for Diesel if you know how!!!

Matt needs to read this whole thread too - now the problem, getting Mr. Lazy to log in and read!

Diesel vehicles:

In addition to all of the above for gasoline engines, you will need to drain the water separator (if so equipped), change the fuel filter(s), add some injector cleaner to the fuel and run it through (do this BEFORE it gets cold) and stock up on a decent fuel additive which will help prevent cold weather gelling.

Gelling occurs in cold temperatures because diesel fuel contains a small amount of paraffin wax and this will semi-solidify causein the fuel to look like a bowl of stirred Jello!

Gelled fuel takes quite a bit of heat to re-liquefy and usually ruins the fuel filter(s) necessitating them to be changed again before the engine will start.

With the advent of bio-diesel the problem becomes worse as this fuel blend gells more easily. The higher percentage of blend (5%-10%-15% etc) the more prone it will be to gelling.
*Thanks a lot to Willie Nelson and his tree hugging buddies*

There are several very good fuel additives on the market and they should be added in the appropriate concentration with EVERY fill-up during the cold months.

They are:
PM4000
Howe's Fuel Treatment
Lucas Diesel Fuel Treatment

There are some others which, even though fairly effective, are not nearly as good as the above three.

They are:
Siloo
FPPF
Hot Shot
Polar Power

I recommend the first three because in addition to the anti-gelling properties, they all help clean and lubricate the injectors and fuel pump.

They can be found at some auto parts stores and at almost any truckstop.

As well......consider fueling at a truckstop (if one is nearby) because most of them now feature fuel that is pre-treated with one of the three better additives. They will advertise this fact somewhere near the fuel pumps.

If you're not sure if there's a truckstop near you (Believe me, you could be close to one and not even know it if you don't routinely travel past it) please ask me in a PM. I have a guide that lists over 9,000 truckstops in the US and Canada.

Get busy! The frosty temps are just around the corner (damnit!).