Summer or winter diesel?

[NoSmoke]

Hey, I have a Yanmar 155D which is not a great starter in cold weather (pretty much anything below freezing). The thing runs fine once going and warmed up a bit (smooth running with no smoke or blowby). I have checked the Thermostart device and valve timing - all OK.

One thing I'm wondering about is winter vs summer diesel. The diesel I have was bought some time last year so I am not sure whether it is summer or winter blend. Is there any simple way of telling which (I will replace the diesel in tank with winter blend if it is summer in there now)? Would it make a great deal of difference in cold weather starting?

TIA for any comments...

 

[repete]

Where do you live?

 

[ruffdog]

Do you use an additive that includes a cetane booster? The higher the cetane rating the quicker the fuel lights off.

Also, you can blend your own "winter blend" by getting some #1 fuel to mix with your unknown #2 fuel.

 

[LouNY]

I don't believe you would see any noticeable difference in starting between winter or summer fuel.

 

[Roadworthy]

If you're running winter diesel in the summer you'll get a little less work per gallon but it's quite usable as the seasons switch. Winter diesel is used in cold weather to prevent the fuel from gelling. You can put an additive in your summer diesel as winter approaches to turn it into winter diesel. There's no real need to drain the tank to change fuel when the seasons change.

 

[NoSmoke]

Thanks all for the replies. I will leave the diesel fuel as is.

In the meantime, I have constructed an insulation board enclosure that fits over and around the engine. It has a hole on top into which the nozzle of a heat gun is inserted. When left turned on high setting for 10 or 15 minutes, it does a nice job of warming up the cylinder head and upper block. Starting is much easier so I think I will just go with that.

 

[LouNY]

Foam board is easily caught on fire?
When I don't have a block heater I have used a heat lamp shining on the intake and head.

 

[dodge man]

Unless your fuel is gelling, I agree winter or summer fuel won’t make a difference.

 

[m1garand762]

You can get a magnetic block heater for less than $30 stick it somewhere magnetic and plug it in

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

for sure easy test as you asked.
if you want to test if summer or winter diesel take a little bit in a glass jar and put it in a freezer for a few hours.
Typical freezer about 0°F (-18°C) if it gets cloudy or gels then its summer for sure.

Cheers

 

[NoSmoke]

Foam board is easily caught on fire?
When I don't have a block heater I have used a heat lamp shining on the intake and head.

Yes, I was a bit concerned about that but, even with the heat gun on high for about 20 minutes, there was no significant heating of the board as the output of the gun is directed down and toward the top of the engine. It is something I will be watching though for a while more until I'm confident it's safe.

One thing I would not do is locate the heat gun inside the container. It would heat up faster as it would be recirculating inside air but I would not trust such an arrangement to be safe.

 

[Oaktree]

Mine can be a little cold blooded too. I just use the old trick of a droplight with a 100W bulb under the hood. If it's really cold, a blanket over the hood. A few hours usually does the trick.

 

[NoSmoke]

for sure easy test as you asked.

if you want to test if summer or winter diesel take a little bit in a glass jar and put it in a freezer for a few hours.
Typical freezer about 0°F (-18°C) if it gets cloudy or gels then its summer for sure.

Cheers

Thank you, good idea, will try it.

 

[NoSmoke]

You can get a magnetic block heater for less than $30 stick it somewhere magnetic and plug it in

Already have a clamp on heater. It helps but sometimes not good enough. I don't know what its wattage is but the heat gun would put out a ton more and it appears so far to be a big improvement (also faster).

 

[Cycledude]

Is there some reason not to install a block heater ?

 

[Egon]

Summer diesel will start easier in the summer.

Winter diesel will start easier in the winter.

 

[MHarryE]

You're in Alberta. Winter diesel with additive. I live in Minnesota, and all my diesels except the 2 stored in a heated garage get #1 before shedding for the winter if there is any reason I might want to start them. I learned my lesson 10 years ago when I got into this and it took days to get a tractor going I suddenly needed. YouTube videos of some Alberta farmers taking days to start tractors.

 

[NoSmoke]

You're in Alberta. Winter diesel with additive. I live in Minnesota, and all my diesels except the 2 stored in a heated garage get #1 before shedding for the winter if there is any reason I might want to start them. I learned my lesson 10 years ago when I got into this and it took days to get a tractor going I suddenly needed. YouTube videos of some Alberta farmers taking days to start tractors.

Any suggestions on what would be a good additive?

BTW, I added a can of Diesel Purge (to a fairly low tank level so it should be at a pretty good concentration). I dunno if it enhances cetane level but it does, along with the heat gun boost, starts are a lot easier now.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Any suggestions on what would be a good additive?

...

 

[ruffdog]

Any suggestions on what would be a good additive?

Use one with no alcohol.