how cold can it go?...

Topan · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:04 pm

i got a dumb question, what cold can the crd take? i heard about diesel clouding...

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:31 pm

..... at -14f (-26 C) without plugging it in overnight with no problems. What makes the difference is how the fuel is blended. I see no reason why a Liberty/Cherokee CRD could not run at -50f (-45C) with the right blend. I would never attempt to do this with out the blended fuel and a good dose of anti-gel. Some of our Northern US and Canadian members have reported driving at -40 F (-40 C).
Large over the road trucks do winter driving at these temperatures but must keep moving so the tires do not have problems. They also report that they only shut off the engine to change oil very quickly.
For starting you will want to use your block heater.
Steel becomes brittle and will be more prone to fracture at very cold temperatures.

Steve

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:41 pm

Diesel fuel is blended for de-icing depending on your locale, usually protected to -40degF - I'd say fuel intended for the North Slope would be treated a just tad more than for here on the Gulf Coast

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

I have never plugged the heater in (except to check to see if it works) and have started as low as -12F without problem. The only "issue" with cold temps is that the tranny will not go into overdrive until a minimum temp is reached.

Turbowhine · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:29 am

This winter we had a night or two where is was -18. I was parked in a distant parking lot for about 14 hrs. two nights in a row. No problems, other than my snot freezing of course! I had additized #2 and a winterfront.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:54 pm

You know, if you never shut it off the hot diesel returning to the tank would probably keep it from gelling up in the tank.

SCKJCRD · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:26 pm

Reading this thread reminds me once more why I love living in the south. I think we saw +15 F one morning last winter, and that was plenty cold enough for me. Oh, back on topic, CRD starts fine at +15. :lol:

naturist · **Posted:** Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:36 pm

Topan wrote:

i got a dumb question, what cold can the crd take? i heard about diesel clouding...

Well, if you ran straight kerosene, probably about -40. If you pay attention and use properly winterized fuel, you shouldn't have a problem. And frankly, diesel clouding isn't the problem, it's when it gets enough wax crystals formed to plug the fuel filter, which is usually a bit colder than when it first starts to cloud.

rpapkey · **Joined:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 4:48 pm **Posts:** 39

We forgot to plug it in one night when it got below -20*f. It started without hesitation. I can say it made more than one complaint about running but after a 10 minute warmup it was happy once again. Plugged in i saw the evic at -30 and it started and ran like it was 50-60*f. FWIW our plug will do nothing to keep the fuel from gelling, but with the additives and winter blend you shouldn't need to. Just means bio is out of the question during the winter.

Topan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:59 am

vtdog wrote:

I have never plugged the heater in (except to check to see if it works) and have started as low as -12F without problem. The only "issue" with cold temps is that the tranny will not go into overdrive until a minimum temp is reached.

Thanks to all of you for the answers! am re-ensured I 'll be able to go through the Swiss winter without have to build a camp fyer around the KJ :shock:

However, what is the heating plugg you refer to ? is it again a device made exclusively for the US model ?...

PS: We'll check the real ability of the CRD in the cold this winter as we plan to spend Xmas under the artic circle in Finland..of course driving up from siwtzerland :wink:

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:20 am

Topan: I wish I could remember the thread that has the link to a supplier who posts a .pdf parts manual on their web site. This way you can check which items are Euro only and which are both Euro/US/Can, it tells that. Sir Sam may know where this is, try sending him a PM.

Steve

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

Topan:

The "plug in" heater is a device that is used to keep the engine warm by heating the coolant liquid. The heater plugs into household current (110v AC in the US). The wattage of the heater is subject to some speculation here. The cord for the heater on US models is found zip tied to the oil dipstick. The cord can be released and routed through the grill. The devices are common in the US and I suspect that you can find one in Europe. If you put the cord through the grill, cover the exposed plug with a "female" cover to protect it from road salt and grime when not in use.

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:02 am

rpapkey wrote:

We forgot to plug it in one night when it got below -20*f. It started without hesitation. I can say it made more than one complaint about running but after a 10 minute warmup it was happy once again. Plugged in i saw the evic at -30 and it started and ran like it was 50-60*f. FWIW our plug will do nothing to keep the fuel from gelling, but with the additives and winter blend you shouldn't need to. Just means bio is out of the question during the winter.

bio... well not necessarily out of the question. I ran all winter long on B11 in my CRD, Ag tractor, and Semi (primarily running the Northern tier of the country) with no problems. Quality is the key as well as some good old fashioned common sense.

Topan · **Posted:** Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:20 am

warp2diesel wrote:

Topan: I wish I could remember the thread that has the link to a supplier who posts a .pdf parts manual on their web site. This way you can check which items are Euro only and which are both Euro/US/Can, it tells that. Sir Sam may know where this is, try sending him a PM.

Steve

It would be excellent to have such a list !

To the others , i'll spend time tonight to see if i can find that plug. But i doubt our Euro model has it.
Thanks again for the hint
Topan

how cold can it go?...

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