Bnorth
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wow we need snow in a bad way. I was impressed as the brand battling here had kind of subsided but here we are back into it with a vengeance LOL.
Modern Diesel Engines
- Thread starter Bury Me With My Toys
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Luke The Drifter
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Run 5W40 or 0W40 synthetic, use fuel conditioner, plug in during extreme cold if you can, let the glow plugs do their thing, let it warm up for 5-10 mins and drive it.
This isn't 1994 anymore, all 3 modern diesels start just fine in the cold.
This isn't 1994 anymore, all 3 modern diesels start just fine in the cold.
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ZRrrr
Active VIP Member
From 2019 F350 manual:
Your vehicle may have a cold weather starting strategy that prevents severe engine damage by assisting in engine lubrication warm-up. In extremely cold ambient temperatures, this strategy activates and prevents the accelerator pedal from being used for 30 seconds after you start your vehicle. A message appears in the information display as your vehicle warms up. By not allowing the accelerator pedal to be used, the engine oil is allowed to properly lubricate the bearings preventing engine damage due to lack of proper lubrication. After the 30 second warm-up period, the accelerator pedal willbe operational again and a messageappears informing you the vehicle is ok to drive.
Cold Weather Operation Note: Idling in cold weather does not heat the engine to its normal operating temperature. Long periods of idling, especially in cold weather, can cause a buildup of deposits which can cause engine damage. Change to a lighter grade engine oil to make starting easier under these conditions. Refer to engine oil specifications.
Way I read the part about the block heater is it sounds like it is a "recommendation" to heat the coolant so that the climate control responds more quickly. Does state that below -29 "The use of the factory engine block heater assists in engine starting in extreme cold ambient temperatures". Nothing about it being a "must use" for engine protection. Seems the Ford has a strategy built in to help prevent the damage as quoted above.
\Old timer neighbour across the road has had many a diesel truck and drive out to his farm every single day. Puts on a lot of KM every year. In winter he starts, sits for about a minute and goes, not matter the temp. Never has a starting issue despite the temp and very rarely has he had engine issues. Anecdotal evidence, but speaks volumes to me. We both have never ever understood starting the diesel and letting idle for 10, 15, 20 minutes. He has some pretty funny jokes about "those guys". Lol
Your vehicle may have a cold weather starting strategy that prevents severe engine damage by assisting in engine lubrication warm-up. In extremely cold ambient temperatures, this strategy activates and prevents the accelerator pedal from being used for 30 seconds after you start your vehicle. A message appears in the information display as your vehicle warms up. By not allowing the accelerator pedal to be used, the engine oil is allowed to properly lubricate the bearings preventing engine damage due to lack of proper lubrication. After the 30 second warm-up period, the accelerator pedal willbe operational again and a messageappears informing you the vehicle is ok to drive.
Cold Weather Operation Note: Idling in cold weather does not heat the engine to its normal operating temperature. Long periods of idling, especially in cold weather, can cause a buildup of deposits which can cause engine damage. Change to a lighter grade engine oil to make starting easier under these conditions. Refer to engine oil specifications.
Way I read the part about the block heater is it sounds like it is a "recommendation" to heat the coolant so that the climate control responds more quickly. Does state that below -29 "The use of the factory engine block heater assists in engine starting in extreme cold ambient temperatures". Nothing about it being a "must use" for engine protection. Seems the Ford has a strategy built in to help prevent the damage as quoted above.
\Old timer neighbour across the road has had many a diesel truck and drive out to his farm every single day. Puts on a lot of KM every year. In winter he starts, sits for about a minute and goes, not matter the temp. Never has a starting issue despite the temp and very rarely has he had engine issues. Anecdotal evidence, but speaks volumes to me. We both have never ever understood starting the diesel and letting idle for 10, 15, 20 minutes. He has some pretty funny jokes about "those guys". Lol
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Pedaling pete
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I love the guys that warm em up for 3 hours out front of the motel while you try to sleep. Lol
free fuel, who cares
Pedaling pete
Active VIP Member
The guy trying to sleep? Haha
pfi572
Active VIP Member
I know guys with gas or diesel never shut them off once started in the am .
Summer or winter and just shack my head !!!
Nice that the newer trucks have hour meters and tell you how many idle hours plus total hours .
Summer or winter and just shack my head !!!
Nice that the newer trucks have hour meters and tell you how many idle hours plus total hours .
good news; motels are not busy anymore due to scamdemic.
People aren't travelling, you're argument was so 15 years ago
Caper11
Active VIP Member
Block heater aids engine warmup, and engine cranking in cold conditions, one thing I hate about my ram is if I dont plug it in, it goes right to high idle, I hate that! and avoid using the remote start in extreme cold startups because of it.
During warmup idle, your warming up the oils, so proper engine oils selection is critical.
There is an extremely high risk of too high of a oil pressure that could put the oil system into bypass resulting in a loss of oil pressure.
During warmup idle, your warming up the oils, so proper engine oils selection is critical.
There is an extremely high risk of too high of a oil pressure that could put the oil system into bypass resulting in a loss of oil pressure.
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Lightningmike
Active VIP Member
Even my 03 2500 gas job had that cord
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Bury Me With My Toys
Active member
My last 4 pickups (all gas) haven't had a block heater in them. Once I moved north to PG, I bought a stick on oil pan heater for my GMC 1500, and did the same now for my 2018 Ford 150. If colder than -20C and I think about it, I plug the pan heater in for a while before starting it up.
My theory is that warming it from the bottom up, is also a good idea since heat rises, and warm oil flows quicker. Even at -44C last winter, it started well and the pan heater was only plugged in for 2 hours. I want to build a larger shop, so i to can park inside, but for now my truck is only in the carport, girlfriend has her ridgeline in the heated garage, and the other side of the garage has our toys in it. Looking into a 36 by 36 shop in the backyard, hopefully built in 2021.
My theory is that warming it from the bottom up, is also a good idea since heat rises, and warm oil flows quicker. Even at -44C last winter, it started well and the pan heater was only plugged in for 2 hours. I want to build a larger shop, so i to can park inside, but for now my truck is only in the carport, girlfriend has her ridgeline in the heated garage, and the other side of the garage has our toys in it. Looking into a 36 by 36 shop in the backyard, hopefully built in 2021.
snopro
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Wait for lumber to go down lol
Luke The Drifter
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At least the Ram's slowly ramp up to high idle (or at least my 2012 did). My 6.7 PSD work truck goes straight to 1000-1100rpm if its cold
sirkdev
Active VIP Member
I watched a video on this, research indicates as long as you use the proper weight oil for climate, rpm increases oil flow faster because oil pump is direct drive. Slower idle longer to get oil pressure to the top. I would have to assume that the engineering teams researched which was better for longevity as it would be a pretty significant factor in engine life.
Yes -90 is cold with the windchill, but that has nothing to do with trucks so not sure why the comparison.
Ah, the video is about Ford's cold weather testing on the Powerstroke. Near the end he mentions -40 starts being a goal.
Funny how they needed to try and prove they can now start the Powerstroke in the cold. I still remember coming back after a weekend of sledding, one guy plugged in the PS for about an hour, still couldn't get it going. Cummins that had been sitting even longer and not plugged in at all, starts absolutely no problem. It was probably only -20. Since 2003, you could start a Cummins not plugged in at -30, it's not an achievement for Ford to say so recently, it's an embarrassment it took so long.
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