#1 diesel year round

[Jolson1705]

I read that #1 diesel has less power and less lubrication than #2. I use my 1705 mainly in the winter for snowblowing. It's always a guessing game to figure what ratio I have at the end of summer. Only using #1 all year would make things a lot easier. Anyone have any thoughts, pro or con.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I add lubricant to my #2 Diesel fuel ...

Where do you live where you need 100% #1 diesel in the winter?

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I would not run striaght #1 all year round in any diesel engine. It may make things a lot easier in the storage of fuel department, but the rebuild of your engine will come sooner running #1 because of its cetane rating and less lubricity.
When running #1 even at a 50/50 mix the engine knocks and rattles louder, let alone running straight 100% #1.
Less BTU content also, you will be buying more gallons of fuel.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I add lubricant to my #2 Diesel fuel ...

Where do you live where you need 100% #1 diesel in the winter?

I would imagine in the Yukon territory or central to northern Alaska for this need. But even there we had customized fuel return and filters with heaters on them to run as much #2 as possible. Mixed only when temps were below 10°F and anticpated dropping temps.

 

[Jolson1705]

I add lubricant to my #2 Diesel fuel ...

Where do you live where you need 100% #1 diesel in the winter?

I live in Minnesota. We have temps to -30f, and occasionally go days never getting above zero. That means that I may have to blow snow when it seriously cold. I realize the issue with #1 having less lubrication so I was just looking for some insight from people who know more about this issue than I do.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

A couple of years ago I delivered a load to Fargo, ND, not far from you ... -22°F IIRC #2 Diesel with a double dose of HotShots, like the bottle says to do for temperatures below 0°F ... No problems, and I stayed driving, and warm at night sleeping in my truck ... But, I didn't dilly-dally outside!

Did buy a "real snow shovel" at the Lowe's to take back to Missouri with me too!

 

[CalG]

A couple of years ago I delivered a load to Fargo, ND, not far from you ... -22°F IIRC #2 Diesel with a double dose of HotShots, like the bottle says to do for temperatures below 0°F ... No problems, and I stayed driving, and warm at night sleeping in my truck ... But, I didn't dilly-dally outside!

Did buy a "real snow shovel" at the Lowe's to take back to Missouri with me too!

I grew up in Fargo, 56, 17th Ave North... ;-)
It does get cold there from time to time.

I'm wondering if #1 and a can of Marvel mystery oil/ Rislone/ top cylinder oil etc. wouldn't be an option to the lubricity short coming.

There are cetane boosters also....

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I use the pump #2 Diesel, and the HotShots products ... Either there "Everyday" in the summer, or there "Winter Defense" in the winter ... Both have de-emulsifier (water separator),centane boosters, and and added lubricant ...

In addition to that, they also make a product called "LX4" which is the lubricant they use in the above two products, I also add a half dose of that on top of the other two ...

I probably sound like one of there salesman, but I'm not, just a happy satisfied customer.

 

[sd455dan]

I grew up in Fargo, 56, 17th Ave North... ;-)
It does get cold there from time to time.

I'm wondering if #1 and a can of Marvel mystery oil/ Rislone/ top cylinder oil etc. wouldn't be an option to the lubricity short coming.

There are cetane boosters also....

I mix up some white bottle, Howes and two stroke oil and then add it when refueling. They sell #1 right next to the #2 Red diesel -but I have never actually tried it.

Years back when I had the Ford 3000 we got a major cold streak -15 for over a week with winds, looked in the tank with a flashlight and sure enough super cloudy.
I put a Harbor freight poly tarp over the tractor used the kats block heater and also had a 80 K BTU torpedo heater blasting into the tent. Fired up like the middle of summer after an hour and a 1/2.

Have not had to use the block heaters on the two Rhino tractors this year, but the mid 70's Ford TLB's 201 has needed the kats coolant heater at least 3 times.

.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I'm wondering if #1 and a can of Marvel mystery oil/ Rislone/ top cylinder oil etc. wouldn't be an option to the lubricity short coming.

That I'm sure would be better than nothing ... I remember someone did a test on "lubricity" in diesel fuel additives, with measuring "wear and tear" on some metal ... One of the things they tested was 2 stroke oil ... I don't recall how that faired, or the mix ratio ... What I do remember is the standard dose recommended by HotShots was near the top, but not the best ... So that's why I figured I'd give it an extra half dose of just the LX4 they use in there regular additives ..

 

[sandman2234]

I live in Minnesota. We have temps to -30f, and occasionally go days never getting above zero. That means that I may have to blow snow when it seriously cold. I realize the issue with #1 having less lubrication so I was just looking for some insight from people who know more about this issue than I do.

That would not be me, lol! Although I have as much or more time behind a diesel than almost anyone on this forum, I live in Florida and only go see that white stuff occasionally!
David from jax

 

[lman]

I mix up some white bottle, Howes and two stroke oil and then add it when refueling. They sell #1 right next to the #2 Red diesel -but I have never actually tried it.

Years back when I had the Ford 3000 we got a major cold streak -15 for over a week with winds, looked in the tank with a flashlight and sure enough super cloudy.
I put a Harbor freight poly tarp over the tractor used the kats block heater and also had a 80 K BTU torpedo heater blasting into the tent. Fired up like the middle of summer after an hour and a 1/2.

Have not had to use the block heaters on the two Rhino tractors this year, but the mid 70's Ford TLB's 201 has needed the kats coolant heater at least 3 times.

.

You are using #1 diesel when you purchase diesel at your local station prior and during winter. Many years ago I delivered fuel to stations and mixed #1/kerosene with #2 diesel when filling the truck before delivery during the winter. I also put dye in diesel for off road diesel.

 

[anomad]

When I lived in Fairbanks Alaska my favorite station, where the OTR guys filled up, sold #1, #2, or a 50/50 blend. I'm guessing they were all treated in one way or another and had signs indicating the most recent testing results. They shot for -60 to -65F for the cold weather stuff. Regular #2 wasn't treated that low.

I only had a diesel pickup (old 12 valve cummins) at the time and just froze up once. It was -48F, and a cold walk home to call a tow truck, well before cell phones were common.

 

[sd455dan]

You are using #1 diesel when you purchase diesel at your local station prior and during winter. Many years ago I delivered fuel to stations and mixed #1/kerosene with #2 diesel when filling the truck before delivery during the winter. I also put dye in diesel for off road diesel.

I know they switch to winter blend in the fall on the #2 Red, the other pump is marked #1 Kerosene.

I thought kerosene had less lubrication and, pretty sure they charge more per gallon for it as well.

 

[KWentling]

Just #2 and Power Service here for the tractors. I think I've put #1 in the Dodge twice in 25 years, and only when it was going be more than -20 and I had to be on the road.

 

[dieselscout80]

Straight #1 can cause fuel injection system parts to gall due to the lack of lubrication.

Back in Montana in the 80s as the temperature dropped the diesel went from straight #2, then to 60% #2 blended with 40% #1, then 40% #2 and 60% #1 and finally straight #1. It reversed those steps as it warmed up.

 

[Jolson1705]

I appreciate all the information. There were some good ideas for using #2 all year and adding the proper additives for winter. That would simplify things for me. Thanks for the info.