On 1/6/2014 8:18 PM, Califbill wrote:

"Mr. Luddite" wrote:



Yeah, this winter I bought one of those magnetic heaters for my diesel
powered tractor. It's only 200 watts and thermostatically controlled, so
I leave it plugged in all the time. I stuck it on the bottom of the oil
pan and it seems to help a lot. Although sluggish because the battery
was cold, it still fired right up the other day after running the glow
plug for 20 seconds. It was 5 degrees at the time. Diesels don't like cold.

I was in Steam Boat Springs the Winter of 1968. Car was in the shade, and
would not hardly turn over. Had to get a jump start. Was the 4 speed
manual tranny. The temps was about zero, and the oil was very stiff. Soon
as I put in the clutch and engine fired right up. Do you use a cold
weather additive in the diesel?


I don't add anything to the fuel because I have been told that whatever
is needed during winter months is added by the fuel distributor. Same
with boats, I found out years ago when I had diesels. The fuel
distributor adds additives that are supposed to prevent the little
critters from growing in the fuel if stored for a long period of time.

Back in the late 80s I had a Ford Ranger with a manual transmission
made by Mazda. Decided to stop at a Jiffy Lube type place and they
recommended changing the transmission fluid (lube). Like an idiot I
said "ok".

The clown (probably a junior high school part timer) put 90 weight gear
lube in it. The manual transmission used in the Ranger is supposed to
take regular automatic transmission fluid.

The first cold day we had, I got in the truck, started it up and tried
to put it in reverse to back out of the driveway. I couldn't budge the
gear shift out of whatever gear it was in.