Anyone who's lived in Marshall County knows the drill. One week it's fall, and the next you're plugging in every night and hoping the truck turns over at twenty below. Diesel engines don't like the cold, and northwest Minnesota winters will find every weak spot. Here's how to get your diesels ready before the first real cold snap, whether it's a pickup, a tractor or a semi.
Fuel Gelling: The Big One
Diesel fuel contains wax that starts to thicken as temperatures drop. When it gets cold enough, that wax clouds up and can plug your fuel filter. The engine starves for fuel, and you're stuck.
How to stay ahead of it:
Buy winter-blend fuel. Local stations and co-ops switch to winter blends as the season changes, but tanks don't always turn over fast, so be careful with old summer fuel sitting in a bulk tank or a truck that's been parked.
Use an anti-gel additive. Add it before the cold arrives. Anti-gel prevents gelling; it doesn't fix fuel that has already gelled. DieselHunt has a gear guide comparing diesel anti-gel additives.
Keep tanks full. A fuller tank leaves less room for condensation and water.
Carry a spare fuel filter. If you're running long distances in the cold, a spare filter and the tools to change it can save a tow.
Water in Fuel
Water is a winter problem too. It freezes in filters and lines, and it causes rust and injector damage the rest of the year. Drain your water separator regularly, especially in the fall. If you store fuel on the farm, check your bulk tank for water and keep filters on the dispensing side in good shape.
Block Heaters: Plug It In
A block heater warms the engine coolant so the engine starts easier and warms up faster. On a cold Minnesota morning, it can be the difference between starting and not.
Test it before winter. Plug it in and check that it's working. A failed element or a damaged cord is common.
Check your cords. Cracked or chewed extension cords are a fire hazard and a no-start waiting to happen.
Use a timer. Running the heater a few hours before you leave works for most engines and saves on the electric bill.
For more detail, DieselHunt has a good gear guide on diesel cold starts and block heaters.
Batteries Take a Beating
Cold weather cuts battery power at the same time a cold diesel needs more of it to crank. Most diesel pickups run two batteries, and one weak battery drags the other down.
Load test both batteries before winter, not just a voltage check.
Clean the terminals and check the cables for corrosion.
Replace them as a pair if one is failing.
Use a battery maintainer on equipment that sits for long stretches, like a tractor parked until spring.
Glow Plugs and Grid Heaters
Diesels use heat from compression to ignite fuel, and in the cold they need help. Depending on the engine, that help comes from glow plugs or an intake grid heater. When these fail, you get hard starts, rough running and white smoke on cold mornings.
Signs of trouble include long cranking times, a rough idle after starting, or a warning light. If you notice any of these, have a bad glow plug, relay or grid heater checked out by a repair shop before the real cold hits.
DEF in the Cold
If your truck, tractor or semi uses DEF, it can freeze in the cold. Your vehicle has heaters built into the system, but stored DEF jugs and bulk containers need attention. Keep stored DEF out of direct sun, sealed, and somewhere it won't freeze and thaw over and over, and use up older stock first.
Coolant, Belts and the Rest
Test your coolant for proper freeze protection.
Check belts and hoses for cracks. Cold makes rubber brittle.
Inspect tires and keep them at the right pressure, since pressure drops as it gets colder.
Change engine oil if it's due. Fresh oil of the right grade helps cold starts.
What About Tuning in Winter?
A good tune doesn't replace winter maintenance, but a well-running engine handles the cold better than one that's already struggling. Winter is also a slower season for a lot of folks, which makes it a good time to get your truck or semi tuned before spring. And because GrandSki Precision Diesel is a veteran-owned mobile tuning service, we come to you. No driving a cold truck to town.
FAQ
When should I add anti-gel to my diesel? Before the cold arrives. Anti-gel prevents gelling but won't reverse fuel that has already gelled. Add it when you fill up as temperatures start to drop.
How long should I plug in my block heater? For most engines, a few hours before you start is enough. A timer saves electricity and gets the engine warm when you need it.
Is winter a good time to get my truck tuned? Yes. It's often the slow season, and since we're mobile, we come to your farm, shop or job site to do the tune. Email us with what you drive and where you're located.
GrandSki Precision Diesel is a veteran-owned mobile diesel tuning service based in Stephen, Minnesota. We come to farms, shops and yards across northeast North Dakota and northern Minnesota, from Grand Forks, Grafton and Cavalier to Thief River Falls, Crookston, Hallock and Roseau.
Want to see what tuning can do for your rig? Email jacob@grandskiprecision.com. We come to you.
