Hey all,

Got a question im hoping someone can answer as I jst spent a lot of money on my dream ride. It's been real cold here to say the least, the engine does have a block heater as well as an FYI but I forgot to use it. So here's what happened, woke up in the AM to go to work it was -20F outside. I had forgotten to plug the block heater in but when I went to start it there was nothing, I turned the key and no cranking at all, not even a click. After a few times trying it finally rolled over after about 3-4 mins, I think in total I turned the key maybe 3 times. I let it sit for about a minute or so and tried again and it fired right up. I wanted to test the theory again so thhe next saay it was supposed to be that cold again so I intentionally left the block heater unplugged and the same thing happened again. Wouldn't turn over or make a sound, gave it a couple minute rest and then tried again it fired right up.

I need to know if the block heater will solve this. I spent big cash on this truck and figured it would turn over no matter what the temp. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

 

Is everything powering up when you turn koeo? That cold is extremely hard on batteries and plugging it in is always going to help in the whole process.

 

Yeah definitely power, radio worked, wipers etc all of it worked which is what I found odd. It just wouldn't crank the engine. I thought maybe it was some sort of internal protection self protection type thing. This is my first super duty so getting used to it but I'm real concerned.

 

could be the starter, my '05 acted the same way. Would sit overnight and then it would take 3-4 tries to get the motor to turn over. It would be fine the rest of the day and the next morning it would act up again. The starter ended up having a bad solenoid in it.

I bought the truck in the winter and it acted up from day one so I don't know if the cold triggered the problem or not.

 

I thought that could be the thing but its brand new, les than 300 miles on it. I guess though it couple be posible its Bad out of The factory.

 

My '05 was brand new also. I took it back with 300 miles on it to get the new starter on it. I bought the truck then left the dealership and made a 175 mile trip to visit my GF where she was living at the time. It acted up the next morning with only 200 miles on odo. I'm guessing it probably acted up when it was started for my test drive, but it was below zero and the truck was covered in frost so the salesman had me wait in the office while he started the truck and got it warmed up for the test drive.

 

Well off The dealership on monday then, i bought it at a dealership a ways from where I live but there's a dealership a mile from my house, gotta love bumper to bumper coverage I guess. You think the book heater will help this at all for now?

 

Plug the truck in, that cold is very harsh on the battery.

When starting turn off all electrical drains.

When the outside temperature is 80 degrees, a fully-charged battery has 100 percent of its power available to start the car.
• When the temperature drops to 32 degrees, a fully-charged battery has two-thirds of its power available.
• At zero degrees, that same fully-charged battery has only 40 percent of its power available to start the vehicle.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/why...kill-a-battery

 

Being im new to the super duty im guessing the block heater plug is the one I clearly see right above the front bumper?

 

I had my 6.2 in some pretty harsh temps, sometimes not getting out of the single digits for weeks. That said I never had a problem and I really don't believe yours should be acting this way. The block heater keeps the coolant and oil warm(er) relative to the outside temp. It will not however keep your battery warm, they make battery blankets for that. If you have power when you turn the key and you get nothing when you try to crank, my guess would be a solenoid or the starter. Good luck!

 

It is not related to your issue but. FYI a 0w20 will help with startup vs 5w20 in the winter, especially at -20 below.

At -5 to 0 degrees at startup with 0w30 my oil pressure is around 7-8lbs less than 5w30.(both synthetics) and the engine cranks easier. 84psi with 5w30 and 75 psi with 0w30.

 

-20 battery's hate you unless you are set up for it. Go back under warranty and get it fixed

 

I purchased my F350 6.2L in late December. We have had multiple below zero days and nights since. Some mornings, it has been 18-20 below and never above zero throughout the day. My truck has remote start. I use it every morning. I have not had any starting issues from day one.
My guess is a solenoid or relay that may be sticking. I do not have a block heater either.
Good luck.

 

I thought the reason for the block heater was to keep the engine oil warm?
I have mine plugged into a timer that goes on 5 hours before I leave for work.
...Gage

 

I've neglected to plug mine in on a few cold nights with no issues. Guessing moisture in the starter or a solenoid is freezing. Get it to the dealer when it can sit outside on a cold night or they won't be able to recreate the problem. Had a similar issue on a '06. Never happened at the dealer.