Dawlish wrote:
On Jan 1, 6:48 pm, Henry Fairfaxton
"Henry wrote:
The Guardian pamphlet entitled The Long Winter 1962-3 contains an image
of fires burning alongside a diesel engine on the railways,a practice
also used apparently with some lorries that used diesel fuel.How low
does the temperature have to go before those of us with diesel-engined
cars need to start becoming concerned?I assume additives are always
included with fuel at any season but if temps reach -20c say could there
be problems?
My comments are prompted by the contents of dedicated weather sites
which are now indicating prolonged and severe cold.



In December of 1981, I have memories of travelling to work from
Pontefract to Hemsworth, in Yorkshire, along a corridor formed by
(mainly) broken-down lorries which had been pulled onto the pavements
on both sides of the road. I believe the diesel had solidified in the
tanks. The fog was also so dense that people got lost following routes
that they commuted along every working day. They were the worst road
conditions I've ever experienced.

I think I remember that diesel then began to cloud at -9C. Things may
have changed with more modern fuels. I've also read that it is common
practice to defrost the diesel engines by lighting a fire underneath
them!!
THis is an interesting thread. We in the Highlands (Black Isle) have had
regular temperatures of -8 to -13C and I could not get my pick up to
start. The tank contains diesel bought in early autumn (October) and
hence is not winter spec (Google it - there is a raft of legislation to
do with diesel and summer / winter). Suffice to say when the temp
reached 0 C I rushed home and finally got the machine to start. I'll
bear in mind the heated air suggestion at the inlet manifold also. The
half gallon of petrol in the tank I'll resist.