How cold to leave running ?

-22f (-30c) above that I have Webasto cab and engine heaters. Below that I leave it running. About eight times in three years.
Only time I ever experienced fuel gelling: I filled up and parked the truck in August, didn’t go back to work until February. It was -32c that night. It still ran, but wouldn’t go over 45 mph. The Davco used return fuel to heat incoming fuel, but not enough heat from it.

 

I got fuel at pilot's loves fly J's and sometimes T'As and Petros. Id fill up with #2 but most truck stops say up to 20% biodiesel.

 

I’ve only had my truck gel once too. I just drug it across the yard with a skid steer into the heated garage and laid down in it for 2 hours lol.

Tons of snow. Don’t do that on pavement...

 

MY truck? 10 degrees. Unless of course, I get to a motel where I can plug in the block heater. That cold start sounds awful. Years ago in northern Canada, everyone would idle their trucks and leave the marker lights on so the drivers trying to park could see the trucks.

 

Depends on the motor. From my experience, most CAT's don't like when the temps drop below 0°C while a Paccar MX-13 will start as cold as -20°C. Company policy is once it hits -10°C, truck stays on to keep fuel warm especially in the northern US where fuel additives are inconsistent.

 

Anything below what I don't want to wake up being I leave her run or get up after a 4 or 5 hours and start it again. Havent gelled up yet but ive only been running for a year

 

I’m not worried about gelling up. That engine oil doesn’t want to flow when it’s super cold. Takes a bit for the oil to warm up. It sounds like a rod is about to go through the block.

 

Hauled fuel in Nebraska and started blending in October ....bought fuel at last week at Belmont wis last week and blended for 31 below zero .

 

Side note below 900rpm idle for extended time you need a kick in the ###. Never do it. No engine manufacturers will say to. 900rpm or higher when not moving.

 

Dead idling is a good way to ruin a good motor.

Paccar recommends 1200-1400 rpm for extended idling. Cummins' new X15 recommends 1100.