New Diesel Owner

[jigginlow]

I am new to the diesel pickup(2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins) scene, and I am wondering what people's experiences have been regarding fuel. Do some run 100% #1 in the winter months? Is it adequate to run a 70/30 mix of #2/#1 and add the appropriate amount of PowerServe additive? Does anyone else have a variation that they've found to work in this arctic climate that we seem to have lately? I have been told to expect about a 20% reduction in fuel economy if I run 100% #1- can anyone confirm or deny this? Thanks in advance.

[gregg52]

you will lose mpg and power try 70/30 or 50/50

or just run #2 see if you have troulbe

[jigginlow]

Trying to avoid trouble before it happens...Can anyone else share what they've found to work satisfactory?

[mwal]

I'm on my 3rd Diesel. I always buy at Kwik trips or Holiday stations as the have #2 with additives and I have never had a problem. I the old days 20 years ago Diesel was hard to get and you blended #1 and # 2 according to the conditions. I used straight #1 if forecast was all below zero temps. Otherwise I blended 50/50 #1 and #2 I also used power service according to directions on bottle. I have not blended or used power service since getting my 7.3 in 2002. I have always just used the Holiday or Kwik Trip diesel. In Fargo I would ask around at the service stations and see if they are getting a winter blend. When in Doubt use #1 if out on the road in a remote area.

Mwal

[Valv]

Congratulations on your truck, these are great vehicles, I am at my 9th one.

As others mentioned try to fuel up at truck stops, their selection is fresh and always up to the grade that suits our location.

I usually just fill with what's available, then use Power Service (white bottle), you will encounter a slight decrease in mileage.

I suggest to add some TCW3 2 stroke oil at every fill (approximately 1 quart), it will help lubricating your pump, you will notice the engine getting quieter too.

In cases where temps really go way below 0, you can mix it with 50% #1 or more. I always keep a jug of straight kerosene during the coldest months, in case of emergency.

[LwnmwnMan2]

We've had a 2002, 2003, 2005, (2) 2006 and a 2007 Cummins Diesel in our Dodges.

We've never plugged them in, nor have we ever used anything but number 2 diesel.

The only time I had ANY problems, was on a trip to Red Lake on January, the actual air temp, not wind chill was -26 and the engine would not warm up, so we didn't have any heat in the cab of the truck.

Finally in Grand Rapids we stopped at a Holiday and took a piece of cardboard to block the radiator, which eventually got the engine to warm up enough where we could have some heat.

That was a cold cold 2 hours to get that far, but from the cities, it's alot of backroads from Moose Lake to Grand Rapids without alot of places to "borrow" a piece of cardboard.

You'll not have any problems, unless there are already conditions existing in the engine.

[Jungda99]

I to am a first time Diesel owner. I have only run straight #2 and havn't had a problem. I have been in temps of -18 and it ran just fine.

I was at a Holiday station (I think) and they had it written on the pump what temps the fuel was good for based on the date.

[jigginlow]

Thanks for all of the great comments- I feel better now. Speaking of the engine getting up to temp. , I am having some issues with that as well and having difficulty locating a nice looking weather front for the grill. One of the local auto parts dealers told me that Lund is no longer making them; does anyone know where I could locate an affordable weather front. My engine has a hard time getting up to temp. in this freezer that we live in here in N.D. Thanks in advance.

[Wildabeast]

try a winter front cover from gofia

[JeffB]

The cloud point on number 2 diesel can vary greatly, this is the point at which the parafin wax in the fuel begins to crystalize. It can range from +20 F to -18 degrees F. So if you are going to run number 2 in the winter you have to know what your buying. Most gas stations sell the appropriate fuel for the time of year, but be careful when very cold temps are in the forcast. Number one fuel has a cloud point around -40 F since very little parafin is present. I would never go on an fishing trip to LOW with strait number 2. If your vehicle sits out side the number one fuel also make your engine start better since the flash point is about 20 degrees cooler, this is the temp the fuel will ignite at.

[311Hemi]

I also own a 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins and have always run #2 and have never had a problem, and never had the truck not start. I will plug in at home if temps are going to get really cold.

As far as warming the truck up, it takes a while to get that temp gauge to start climbing. Your not going to see it climb in the driveway by letting it run....at least not based on how my truck operates.

For an radiator cover, I took a plastic bed liner and cut a piece of it large enough to cover the whole grill on the inside of the grill, and then secured it with zip ties. You would not even know it's there if you didn't look for it.

[Valv]

Thanks for all of the great comments- I feel better now. Speaking of the engine getting up to temp. , I am having some issues with that as well and having difficulty locating a nice looking weather front for the grill. One of the local auto parts dealers told me that Lund is no longer making them; does anyone know where I could locate an affordable weather front. My engine has a hard time getting up to temp. in this freezer that we live in here in N.D. Thanks in advance.

Forget the weather front, get a cardboard and stuck it between intercooler and radiator, don't cover the whole area, 2/3s of it is fine. Cummins Rams have such an oversized cooling system you could drive forever with this and still not get an issue.

To remind you that the 1994 to 1998 trucks with the 12v Cummins had an issue with temp gauge fluctuating a lot. You would see the gauge going from 140 deg slowly up to 190 deg, the drop suddenly, and on and on. People went nuts on this, so Dodge had to issue a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) to fix the problem.

Your truck does not have an actual sensor for the gauge, it's the PCM (computer) that sends the signal to it after getting info from the real sensor, you are reading a "delayed" response.

Check this video of a dually of mine last January, truck had 236,000 miles, no plug in overnight

[jeffreyd]

sounds like it wanted to jump right out of the engine compartment, would have cycling the preheat a couple times have helped any? i know the oil is like mud do you normally plug it in? got to be tough on an engine and human, how long does it take to warm up?

[croixflats]

Gotta love that sound.

[LwnmwnMan2]

I'm with Valv. We've never had issues with starting at -20 or colder with no plug in.

It may be a bit harder, but we also don't have 50, 40, or even 10 nights / winter when it's that cold out.

That video makes it a bit louder than it actually is, especially when Valv is outside.

Jiggin - as long as you get your fuel from a reputable source (no super discount station) you'll be fine, unless there are underlying issues with the truck.

[311Hemi]

Your truck does not have an actual sensor for the gauge, it's the PCM (computer) that sends the signal to it after getting info from the real sensor, you are reading a "delayed" response.

Same goes for the oil pressure, but I am sure you were aware of that as well.

A couple weeks ago I had my oil pressure drop to zero a number of times while sitting at idle....just about &#*@ my pants! Bumped the throttle and it jumped right back up and would read good and would stay good if I was above idle. Ended up hooking up a mechanical gauge to the top of the oil filter housing and was reading good oil pressure even when the gauge read 0. I pulled the oil pressure sending unit and it was full of oil in the electrical connector. Replaced that and now all is well!!

[jigginlow]

Thanks everyone for putting their two cents in. I like this truck a lot- it pulls my 29' fifth wheel camper around nicely. It is just hard to get used to after driving a 1/2 ton gas Ford for five years prior. I will say one thing- in 2003 the cab is a litty tinny and I wish I could silence that roar under the hood a little bit. A fella that I work with said he gutted the whole interior of his truck and put in sound deadening insulation- this helped immensely, but I don't know if I'm up for that much work.

[Gissert]

I have 310,000 miles on a 2001.5 Ram 2500.

Most fuel came from Kwik Trip or Fleet Farm. I run Power Service or CA40 in EVERY tank, regardles of season. The reason is for injection pump lube. The ULSD nowadays is really dry and the pump needs the lube. I am also on my original injection pump (which is very rare for a VP44) and injectors.

[jigginlow]

I am very encouraged when you say you've currently got 310,000 miles on your truck. I intend on owning this truck for a long time and you just reinforced why....oh, I can't wait until I don't have any more payments and I can buy a new boat!!! Perhaps a new Ranger Reata.

[311Hemi]

I am very encouraged when you say you've currently got 310,000 miles on your truck. I intend on owning this truck for a long time and you just reinforced why....oh, I can't wait until I don't have any more payments and I can buy a new boat!!! Perhaps a new Ranger Reata.

My dads got 300k on his 99 2500 Ram with the 12v Cummins. Still running on the original tranny, turbo, fuel/injector pumps. Heck, the only thing that has been replaced is normal wear and tear items mainly driveline stuff (front end parts/seals/bearings). Actually, he did just have the power steering pump and hydroboost replaced recently (if I remember correctly).

[DRH1175]

Sounds like the Cummins are good cold starters and long lasters. I plan on buying a diesel someday. And really like the cummins but have always been a ford guy. Nice to know the dodges are good too.

[muchowja]

u may want to be careful when people say they put straight number 2 in in the winter. Most service stations that have diesel have their fuel already blended unless they have 2 pumps, one that says #1 and one that says #2. Running straight #2 in sub zero temps is not a good idea unless you have a fuel tank heater