Cold (Fridid) Weather Start Diesel?????

My experience....for what it's worth:

So I bought my first diesel brand new back in Oct 2013. 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 HD with the Durmax. As soon as it got cold I started having trouble getting it started and/or keeping it running even though I was plugging the heater in every night. Upon consulting with the GMC dealer I bought it from he told me the block heater does not aid in starting so much as it warms the engine block to shorten the time it takes the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature. He told me to add an anti-gel additive to the fuel tank to keep the fuel from gelling. He said the engine block heater plays no part in keeping the fuel warm enough to prevent gelling. Since I've started adding the anti-gel to the fuel at each fill up beginning in about late November I have had zero issues getting it started or keeping it running and I don't hook up the block heater at all.

Lynnmor wrote:
Just so you know; I snowmobile and camp using a 6.7 F250. I plug in if it's available and take my 2000 Honda generator along, just in case. Common sense would tell you to prepare as best you can. If the OP is in the "middle of nowhere" I don't suppose he can call for help. I would never advise anyone to ignore good advice.

I do the same with my 6.0L. Actually my little 1kw Honda inverter will run the block heater. Why not? Sure makes it a lot easier on the engine when she is already warmed up from the inside out. They put a block heater in her for a reason......

Also use Power Services Artic Formula additive, although she will start no problem without it. A little more quiet on start-up and 1mpg difference in overall fuel economy.

Grit dog wrote:
No need to worry about a diesel starting in cold weather if everything is healthy with the truck. They start as good as gassers.
It's -30 where I work right now and all we run are diesels.
Regarding fuel additives for cold weather, it is just marketing BS unless you have fuel that is not blended properly for the season in your area. Or, again something not healthy in your system, old fuel, water etc.
Don't need to add nothin unless you're packing fuel from a warmer locale or expected to be well below the mean temps for your area.
Again up on the Slope, no extra additives at -30 to -40 deg.
Now if you had a big tank of fuel you bought in the desert or valley and go dump your truck off at 8000' in the mtns and its sposed to be -20deg, better add something cause your fuel likely isn't blended for it.

What he said....My '09 Duramax and the '13 Powerstroke sit for weeks at a time (when I rotate to Texas :() and the most I've had to do is let a couple cycles of the preheater/glow plug run through. If it is -20 or colder, while not a problem to start the engine, I'm old-fashioned enough that I let the rig warm up for quite a while and then baby it until I see some movement in the oil and water temp gauges before putting a serious load on it.

Just so you know; I snowmobile and camp using a 6.7 F250. I plug in if it's available and take my 2000 Honda generator along, just in case. Common sense would tell you to prepare as best you can. If the OP is in the "middle of nowhere" I don't suppose he can call for help. I would never advise anyone to ignore good advice.

Lynnmor wrote:


Where did anyone "insist" on a portable power source? Do whatever you want, but this is what Ford says:

It is recommended that the engine block heater be used for starting
when the temperature is -10°F (-23°C) or colder.

First, true it may be a Ford recommendation. But some-times and some-places, there is just no where to plug in.

And they start anyway. Mind you, it may run rough for a bit, and it may not like it, but it's gonna start.

Now for the insisting, well lets see;

there was Trackrig: On the Slope they have lots of electrical plug-ins (which the OP doesn't have out hunting) and if they don't, they'll let them idle 24 hrs a day.

there was RoyB: X2 on carrying a small generator with you when you are way back off the trails. Has saved my day too many times to count.

there was Lynnmor: Since you are in the "middle of nowhere" you might want to take along a small generator and battery charger if you have them.

Mind you, having a Honda 2000 along in good for other purposes, but it won't be needed to start the truck.

I used to live on the Canadian border, where it gets brutal cold. I was law enforcement and checking motels was part of my job. Many, many times parking lots full of rigs pulling snowmobile trailers. And many of these trucks I noted were diesels. Not plugged in, because no facilities existed to plug in.

And they all started the next morning. You have your new version diesel in good shape with batteries, fuel filter, proper fuel it IS going to start, irregardless of temperature.

The Mad Norsky wrote:
I just have to disagree with those who seem to insist that a power source will be needed out in the boondocks while using the new rig this OP plans to get.

IF they have good batteries, clean posts and connections, that truck IS going to start without killing the batteries.

Absolute no need for a portable power source, or to feel limited by the lack of one.

Where did anyone "insist" on a portable power source? Do whatever you want, but this is what Ford says:

It is recommended that the engine block heater be used for starting
when the temperature is -10°F (-23°C) or colder.

I just have to disagree with those who seem to insist that a power source will be needed out in the boondocks while using the new rig this OP plans to get.

IF they have good batteries, clean posts and connections, that truck IS going to start without killing the batteries.

Absolute no need for a portable power source, or to feel limited by the lack of one.

http://www.espar.com/business-units/fuel-operated-heaters/applications/automotive.html


I have been using these in my diesel trucks since the 90's, never have added any additives, never had issues gelling. With the 7 day programmable timer I simply set the time I want it to start. I have it set to run for 2hrs and I have a warm truck when I'm ready to leave. Not everyone (North Slope) has a place to plug in at. Setting up a genset is not an option for me, even if so, one still has to sit in the cold while block heater does it's thing.

I am on my third Duramax and have had no issues up her in ND. Only issue I had one time was I had forgotten to plug it in and it was about -30 at 6 in the morning. The truck would not let the remote start turn it over but went out and started it normally with no issues.

doublenot7 wrote:
If they can run their diesels on the North slope in Alaska during winter, you should be fine out hunting, etc...

On the Slope they have lots of electrical plug-ins (which the OP doesn't have out hunting) and if they don't, they'll let them idle 24 hrs a day.

Bill