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Alpine fuel and snow conditions.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:45 pm
by buddha
I know all the talk about alpine fuel in the snow and that but if you just fill up on normal diesel, how much of a problem can freezing fuel be.
How long would it take, going up to snow on friday for the day so truck will only be sitting for max 5-6 hours.
Should i play it safe and get 1/2 a tank full?
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:18 pm
by Gwagensteve
I have had it happen on a very cold night in the snow near the airstrip on the howitt high plains. it was a baitch to get started the next morning.
Steve.
Re: Alpine fuel and snow conditions.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:33 pm
by T_Diesel
buddha wrote:I know all the talk about alpine fuel in the snow and that but if you just fill up on normal diesel, how much of a problem can freezing fuel be.
How long would it take, going up to snow on friday for the day so truck will only be sitting for max 5-6 hours.
Should i play it safe and get 1/2 a tank full?
I've seen a number of diesels freeze even at low altitudes in the high country on cold nights. The only fix is a tow down the mountain to a warmer place. May also involve pumping out the fuel line and bleeding the injectors which can be expensive.
If I were you for the sake of a few extra bucks out of your sky rocket, I would be leaving home on 1/2 a tank and then putting as much fuel in your tank as possible when you get to the alpine area to increase the concentrate of anti freeze in your fuel tank.
A lot of places in the high country only offer fuel as a service and make no money on it at all either . If you don't support these places one day when you want to go there, they might not be there anymore.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:43 pm
by Nelso
I've parked at Perisher in the morning, skied for 6 hours and came back to frozen fuel lines, and the temp wasn't as cold as it is at the moment. Put some Chem-Tech in or top up with a bit of alpine fuel. It will be better than the alternative.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:47 pm
by wrksux
Boiling water over the fuel pump and injectors, then a smallish kero fire under the fuel tank and car will get er goin again. this isnt recomended do at your own peril.
this is what we did in colorado when it gets bloody cold

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:30 pm
by rezpkt
going to snow first time with mine this weekend and will be parked for alteast 10hrs?
Any other tips please keep them coming..
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:50 pm
by Ruffy
rezpkt wrote:going to snow first time with mine this weekend and will be parked for alteast 10hrs?
Any other tips please keep them coming..
Alpine diesel.
Don't put your handbrake on, shoes can freeze to the drum. (even with a shiat 80 handbrake!)
Leave your wipers up so they don't freeze to your windscreen.
make sure your battery is tip top.
Pack warm water proof clothing.
Gum boots will keep your feet dry but freeze your toes off, Don't use them.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:54 pm
by ORSM4B
Mate for a few extra cents per litre l would use it.
At the end of the day tight arses always get bitten...
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:01 pm
by pongo
can run 10% ulp to stop it gelling.
will be fine and go a bit better too
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:18 pm
by Zute
Budda, You might already be useing it. Check where you fill up.
Do you ski or snow board ?
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:39 am
by j-top paj
pongo wrote:can run 10% ulp to stop it gelling.
will be fine and go a bit better too
depends on the engine he is running but.
if its old school then yeh is should be fine but if its a modern deisel then i wouldnt risk it.
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:41 am
by j-top paj
there are additives that can change the fuel so it wont freeze up and give you dramas.
diesel power is oneof them i think.
i used to run it all the time in the paj when it was a DD and it helped a bi. only went down to the snow once in it and didnt have any dramas at all.
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:38 am
by buddha
Zute wrote:Budda, You might already be useing it. Check where you fill up.
Do you ski or snow board ?
toboggan

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:39 am
by buddha
hahaah zute,
just taking the kids up for the day, but ill take sking over boarding anyday, got sick of feeling my kneew trying to rip outa my body.
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:26 pm
by bazzle
10% metho in washers
Fresh antifreeze in engine rad system
Alpine diesel at bottom of mountain.
Dont put wipers up anymore, vandals and snow blowers damage them
Bazzle
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:28 pm
by j-top paj
bazzle wrote:
Dont put wipers up anymore, vandals and snow blowers damage them
Bazzle
heard somewhere that you can stick a plastic bag over them instead?
i dont know how well this would work but
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:44 pm
by KiwiBacon
Pour kerosene into the tank.
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:04 am
by Zute
KiwiBacon, is on the money I think. Alpine fuel is surpose to just have a higher percentage of kero. But I think You'll find most ACT servo's will be selling Alpine fuel.
I ski and board, only just started boarding as I cant find any good skiers, so Im trying something new.
Got the flu at the moment.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:24 am
by grimbo
just buy Alpine diesel it is easier, it is safer and in thhe long run not much more expensive and will work. All these other alternatives are just stop gaps and why not just be safe and nbuy the stuff that does work
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:47 am
by The_Wazza
Get Pro-Ma's Performance products -- DT5 Diesel Treatment--
I've been using it for 10 years (also a distributor for them).
As well as being an excellent cleaner etc, it'll also prevent the waxing of the fuel and gets rid of any water in you fuel system.
The 1 litre of diesel treatment will treat 1000 litres of fuel. rrp $29.70
The link below will give you more info and look in the Performance Products section:
http://www.pro-masystems.com.au
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:44 pm
by KiwiBacon
grimbo wrote:just buy Alpine diesel it is easier, it is safer and in thhe long run not much more expensive and will work. All these other alternatives are just stop gaps and why not just be safe and nbuy the stuff that does work
Actually several of these "alternatives" are the real thing.
Trying to buy a tank of winter diesel when you've already got 3/4 of a tank of summer diesel can pose a problem. Adding kerosine is the simple and correct solution.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:24 am
by bazzle
j-top paj wrote:bazzle wrote:
Dont put wipers up anymore, vandals and snow blowers damage them
Bazzle
heard somewhere that you can stick a plastic bag over them instead?
i dont know how well this would work but
Save the ones for rear wipers from carwashes, will work ok.
Bazzle