Return-Path: Received: from G.CS.CMU.EDU by A.CS.CMU.EDU; 20 Sep 85 19:12:16 EDT Date: 20 Sep 1985 19:04-EDT From: Derek.Beatty@G.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@a Subject: Keeping Diesel Cars Alive in the Winter Message-Id: <496105481/beatty@G.CS.CMU.EDU> After moving from North Carolina, I asked for suggestions on helping my diesel car live through the winter. Here is what I was told: From: Charles.Krueger@GANDALF.CS.CMU.EDU.ARPA Just make sure your diesel station uses winterized fuels. Boron has a "no fuel line freeze" gaurantee. I had a waxing problem the first year I arrived here because the Penzoil station I used didn't have winterized fuel. --Charlie --------------------------------------- From: Robert.Frederking@ISL1.RI.CMU.EDU I don't own one, but my neighbor discovered last winter that they won't start if it gets much below freezing unless they have anti-gelling stuff added to the diesel fuel. Bob --------------------------------------------------- From: Seshashayee Murthy There are several things you should do to keep your car running in the winter. 1) use 10W* oil in the winter. Anything heavier than 10w* will guarantee that your car will not start under 20 deg f.I use 10w30 oil made by Kendall 2) You can get one of the electrical heaters. Some of these are put in the place where the dipstick goes and some go under the pan. 3) Check the glow plugs. In hot weather their malfunctioning does not show. You can easily check them by seeing the total current drawn by using a hall-effect ammeter 4) Make sure that your fuel filter is water free. This is easy to do and saves a slot of headaches. 5) don't crank the battery to death. If it is below 0 def f your car probably will not start. Just wait till it warms up. 6) If you are really desperate take the battery into your house and warm it for a couple of hours. This always helps. 7) If you fill up at a truck-stop be aware that they use straight #2 diesel. You should blend with #1 diesel whihc is white kerosene. This lowers the waxing temp. Also you can use additives to prevent waxing. Sesh PS. You probably know all this but I feel that if you miss even one your life will be miserable like mine was last year. -------