when to blend #1 and #2 diesle fuels

[JOHNBIGDOG]

So my VW is my 1st diesel. I have been running strait #2 with a Ford brand anti-gell and lubricity improver for now, But it will be cold soon and I don't want to get stuck, especially at work.

[nobody05]

It's hard to say me personally in my truck. I do not put anything in my tank besides #2 unless it's below 0 degrees. I keep mine indoors (heated) throughout the night and well drive it quite often as a service truck. From 0- -10 its fuel additive and below that it's a mix of 50/50

[Powerstroke]

NO need to blend unless the stations near you don't blend for you. Most big name stations offer "winter blend" #2 diesel. Its pre-blended. I've never mixed diesel and I've had them for the last 8yrs. I do live in the metro so that helps, but I travel all over the state and I've never had a problem. I use Diesel Service additive to help in the winter and never had a problem.

[harvey lee]

I always ran staight #1 in the colder temps and never had any issues with gelling. But I had my own access to the fuel. On road trips if I was not sure what the station had, I added anti gel to make sure I was good to go.

I never trusted any stations years ago as I did gell up twice from station who said it was blended at 80% and it was not. I had 2 diesels from 89 up to 1996.

I believe my son runs anti gel in his Duramax.

Totally agree Andy, the Diesel Service supplement is very good stuff.

[Whoaru99]

I always just ran the blend at the pump, plus anti-gel for good measure, and carried a jug of 911 just in case. Needed it once too..

#1 has less BTU per gallon so you'll get less MPG using it or a blend with it.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

THANK YOU for all your inputs. I did understand the BTU difference of the #1 and #2.

I guess I will keep on with the #2 and my anti-gell.

I'm kinda against the 911 stuffs, to many 6.0L come in with bad injectors and a bottle of that stuffs in the bed. Plus My. H.P. pump is a known issue part.

[Whoaru99]

911 isn't for frequent use. It's just what it says...911.

When you're half-way between here and there and your vehicle starts losing power and doing the herky-jerky because it's starting to gel up, it's your best friend.

[Powerstroke]

6.0 have bad injectors because of poor fuel pressure and dirty oil. Also a probelm usually related to the failure of the FICM or not changing fuel filters.

I only used the white or grey bottle depending on the season. I've used 911 only one time and that was the -27* morning in 2005 or 06.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

6.0 have bad injectors because of poor fuel pressure and dirty oil. Also a probelm usually related to the failure of the FICM or not changing fuel filters.

I can't see people Not maintaining there rig, preposterous!

On a side note, and completely unrelated: Our dealership does increase the low pressure fuel system pressure any time a 6.0L comes in for injectors, or at least we check the spring to make sure the modification has been done.

[Hoey]

Stations providing pre-blended, treated #2 are nice. When it comes to blending your own, getting the #2 out of the pump becomes an issue when it is cold out. For example, this weekend it was not that cold, only 10F or so, the #2 pump could barely get a gallon out in a minute. So I prefer the blended, treated #2 in the winter and when it is going to drop below minus-10F, then I fill up with #1 when I am at a half tank or so. I have not had a problem yet, wood has been knocked.

[LwnmwnMan2]

I've run CTD in Dodges since '02. All of my equipment (tractors, skids, mowers) are diesel. All I run is #2.

We don't plug anything in, no tank heaters, no blends, nothing.

We have equipment sit out in the woods and -20 still go out, hit the glow plugs and it starts up when we are cutting trees down.

The trucks just sit with plows on, and when it's time to plow, they start.

Around the metro you don't have to worry, and in fact if you are shopping at the bigger chain stations you don't have to worry.

Most have a sign at the pump, or you can at least get literature from the station that explains the fuel now is good to -10. Around the mid-end of December it's good to -20.

I've never used an anti-gel, and the CTD's don't even need DEF, so THERE!!!

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I've run CTD in Dodges since '02.

I've never used an anti-gel, and the CTD's don't even need DEF, so THERE!!!

So what does CTD stand for? Cummins turbo diesel?

My Jetta, to my knowledge, doesn't use DEF.

[LwnmwnMan2]

CTD = Cummins Turbo Diesel, correct.

Most of the pickups now, you have to run DEF fluid all year. Cummins doesn't use it until I think 2014.

Just another reason to head back to gassers.

[Whoaru99]

With all due respect I have to call that into question, considering the gel point of straight #2 is somewhere around 5-10F, and usually filters start to clog up somewhat above that.

If you're not having any problems running at -20F on straight #2 then I contend you don't really have "straight" #2.

[LwnmwnMan2]

It's not "straight #2". The fuels are blended at the refinery. If you blend it beyond that, you're just running that much more "1.

98% of the stations around the cities don't have a #1, #2 pump, just "diesel".

About 5 years ago we were running to Red Lake and the truck thermometer said-27. It was so cold we finally stopped in Grand Rapids and stole some cardboard out of a dumpster to block the radiator, we couldn't get any heat in the truck.

We didn't gel.

Generally speaking, the ones that gel are OTR drivers that fill up in MO, southern IA and get up here, trying to do a quick turn around and get stuck in a cold snap, not paying attention to the weather.

[Whoaru99]

Ahhh...I see, makes more sense now. Since you mentioned running just #2 and no blends or anything in this part:

I've run CTD in Dodges since '02. All of my equipment (tractors, skids, mowers) are diesel. All I run is #2.

We don't plug anything in, no tank heaters, no blends, nothing.

...

I took that to mean straight/pure #2. It's cleared up now. Thanks.