So what do the new generation of diesel passenger cars and light trucks do to keep the fuel from turning to jello during a serious cold snap? Is there some kind of electric heater in there?
Our recent weather reminded me of a professor of mine who'd had to spend an extra day in Taos on a ski tri (yeah, yeah, we each have our cross to bear) while his late 70s GM diesel thawed out in a garage with a portable heater playing upon the fuel system.
--Joe
There is:
1.) Diesel fuel additive. 2.) The right synthetic engine lubricant 3.) A pre-oiler could also work. 4.) Engine block heater.
Buy the correct fuel for the conditions. Most fuel retailers in the U.S. sell #2 diesel in summer, and #1 in winter. It's up to the operator to ensure a timely transition.
I think this is the basis of most of the problems, fly. The wise bird keeps diesel additive handy or in the tank as the first cold weather approaches.
An engine block heater is nice, but doesnt help a lot of the fuel gels in the tank.
Just keep the right grade diesel in it, keep the filters clean, keep water out of the fuel, and DRIVE.
In that case the MOST likely cause was water contamination not the fuel "turning to jello." I'm not saying wax formation can't or doesn't occur, but its really not that likely in Taos-type temperatures. The 70s GM diesel had many problems, but the single biggest factor in its wretched reputation was the fact that the cars it was put in pretty much retained their fuel system designed for gasoline. That's not good enough. A Diesel needs much better filtration and it needs a fuel system that is a) more protected against moisture incursion and b) has water separators to prevent what water does get in from getting to the high-pressure precision parts of the fuel sytem and freezing (or causing other damage).
I drove a Volvo 240 diesel for over 200,000 miles in conditions that went below zero with the car stored outside. Never had a problem with fuel jelling because the fuel retailers switched over to the appropriate blend for winter. I did use a block heater to make cold weather starts less stressful on the engine.
Those diesel owners that use eco or bio diesel in their engines will need to take extra precautions as winter approaches.
Many diesel cars sold in areas with cold climate have an electric diesel fuel heater fitted, usually integrated into the fuel filter head. This switches on automatically at a set low temperature. Also Winter fuel is formulated to gel at a much lower temperature than Summer diesel.
Glowplugs Glowplugs glowplugs !! They have to be replaced every now and then. And the fuel filter 1x a year
If a diesel car has a good battery , decent fuel filter and good glow plugs. Then it WILL START in cold weather , no matter what !
A anti wax liquid ( I don't remember the name for this ) does not hurt though :)
Karl - Iceland ;)
REAL diesels are direct-injection. Glow plugs are for wanna-be IDI prechamber engines :D
Modern direct injection car engines do actually have some kind of glow plugs as well as intake air heaters to provide a smooth quiet instant idle.
Huw
No kidding. Wonder how Mercedes has been able to con the public for so long.
YEARS and years of experience at over-selling over-priced over-complicated products? :-)
And Mercedes common-rail diesels aren't prechamber stinkpots, either. Those went away years ago.
No, the scale and emphasis is wrong. DECADES of selling cars with diesel (and gas) motors that have gained worldwide acceptance as both passenger vehicles and taxis. And more than a few years of experience producing diesel trucks as well.
If all of these manufacturers are not producing diesel engines just what kind of powerplant are they producing since they all consume diesel fuel.
WTF are you talking about? Have you absolutely no sense of humor?
I'm sure Great Uncle Rudy would be proud of you.......
Let me assure you that he does not.
Toyota MDT in MO
Must suck to be such a letter-for-letter literalist.
Quoting Steve: "REAL diesels are direct-injection."
That's funny???????
Wow! You figured out a use for the question mark and now you're going apeshit with it.
Toyota MDT in MO
You apparently did not heed good advice and sign up for night school.
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