Winter or Alpine Diesel

Submitted: Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 18:59
ThreadID: 49019 Views:2457 Replies:3 FollowUps:0
This Thread has been Archived
Ist it necessary for a day trip to Mt Selwyn?

We live in Sydney and have not been to the snowfields in recent years, so our 100s has only ever had standard diesel. Next weekend we will be staying with friends in Queanbeyan and making a day trip to the snow. Between our two families we have 6 kids under 8yo, se we really only expect to have a couple of hours in the snow - make a snowman, throw a few snowballs etc.

Is it really necessary to purchase winter or alpine diesel for this? I have the standard 96l main tank and a long ranger 182l tank, and would prefer to fill up at Sydney prices for the 1000km round trip. If I need to buy winter/alpine diesel I won't fill both tanks.

Maybe I should leave the smaller tank almost empty and then fill that one with enough winter/alpine fuel when I get down there.. Would the cold affect standard diesel permanently in the other tank, or would it be ok again when it warms up?

I have searched the archives and cannot find an answer.........
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: TD100 - Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 19:23

Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 19:23
no not for day trips,if you were staying in thee alpine regions for a week or so maybe,i have spent several nights in these places and had no problems with normal dino diesel cheers Paul
AnswerID: 258886

Reply By: Crackles - Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 21:29

Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 21:29
On a 1/2 day trip it would have to be extremly cold for the diesel in a tank, filter or lines to freeze. I certainly wouldn't worry unless they were forecasting -10. For anyone staying overnight it may not be nessesary but is good insurance to put in Alpine diesel as it can quite time consuming trying to get a frozen diesel started.
You do own a $60k car so for piece of mind putting an extra $5 towards Alpine diesel is not that much of a deal I would have thought ;-)
Standard diesel has no ill effect when thawed out after being frozen.
Cheers Craig...............
HZJ105
AnswerID: 258903

Reply By: ferris - Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 at 12:39

Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 at 12:39
G'day Carl & Kaz,

Diesel does not "freeze" as such as everybody calls it. What is actually happening is that Aussie crude oil has a high wax content. Under certain conditions that wax can solidify, causing the motor to stop because of a blockage in the fuel pump. Once things have warmed up a bit the engine will start and run normallly. This is nothing really to worry about. My understanding is that modern cars return a small amount of fuel back to the tank from the motor. This fuel is warm and will keep the tank warm and pressurised. I have only seen engines with 'frozen' diesel on vehicles that have been left outside on very cold nights. You would have to be very unlucky to have this happen after just a couple of hours in the snow......Having said that, if you a worried about it, just top up when you get there for peace of mind.


Keep the shiny side up
Ferris
AnswerID: 258933

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)