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Cold Weather Diesel Operation WK2

6K views 11 replies 12 participants last post by  Jackspat2 
#1 ·
I would love to buy a diesel because I will be moving back to Canada at some point, I'm a bit worried about the cold starting issues that diesels face in Canada, and Northern US. Can anybody set my mind at ease on this? I usually work in the oil business, and that is usually (for Canada) is Fort Mcmurray (northern Alberta) which hits -50 at some points in the usual winter. Is there anything that can be done to ensure a reliable start every time?
 
#4 ·
At -50, any engine might struggle and that is why we have block heaters. My jeep is parked outside always and below -10 C I generally plug it in. It not only helps with engine turnover/oil flow, but the interior heats up much faster.
 
#5 ·
A block heater makes big difference. Strong batteries is another. A garage is good. I don't think the WK2 diesel injectors can take idling for prolonged periods (gas engine injectors or the old mechanical injectors can). A block heater is not going to help much keeping the fuel from gelling, however (wax content caused the fuel to solidify, dewaxing is a process that removes much of the wax from the fuel). I believe most diesels have a return line to the tank so that the circulating fuel flow will keep the fuel in liquid form. If the fuel ever turns to gel, you have a nasty cleanup job to deal with. If there is a water separator, keep it drained as you don't want that to freeze up.

There are other tricks, like thinning the fuel with kerosene, but all these reduce the energy content of the fuel.

Use as thin motor oil in the crank case as you dare.

Reliable starts at -50, I dunno. As a point of reference, my cummins 5.9 always started at -20F without and -30F with a block heater... but it was a struggle, especially without the heat. I never experience lower temperatures.
 
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#8 ·
"I usually work in the oil business, and that is usually (for Canada) is Fort Mcmurray (northern Alberta) which hits -50 at some points in the usual winter. "

If it makes you feel any better we have only gotten to -40C with the windchill a few times so far this winter. Supposed to be -5C tomorrow.
 
#10 ·
I would say the block heater plugged in and adding the diesel fuel additive with every fillup of the tank (available at Canadian Tire or other hardware store) should do the trick...if you have no garage or portable garage to help offset some of the cold/wind...it went down to -40C here a few weeks ago....with my VW diesel, I did not have any fuel additive (the dealer later told me about that) and without it plugged in, it did not start....plugged it in for 3 hours and also had a battery jumpstart that you plug in and jump your battery from Canadian Tire, which also is a backup if your battery dies or is very weak...other than than that, try parking out of direct wind, or protected somehow...and make sure your battery is heavy duty and no older than 5 years or so...
 
#11 ·
if you really have these extreme temps during winter season ... do not get a diesel at all,
if you do not have a garage or warm place to park.

here in europe in scandinavia, norway for example they offer a special winter diesel
for minimum -39 degrees celsius ... and even this is bloody cold.

and the dpf needs to regenerate in high temperatures from time to time too,
with this outside temp it will be difficult to work properly.
 
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