I've looked over the forum for this question and all I found was "Cold starting" issues
I'm planning a trip over Valentines weekend up to the Mountains with my Wife. It's been years since either of us have even seen snow. I'm prepping the truck so it is ready for anything and will give us as little hassle as possible. So far I:


- Did a full oil and filter change.
- Purchased a cold weather fuel additive
- Checked fluid levels
- Tire Chains just in case


- Still need to check proper tire pressure


Is there anything else I may have over looked or would be a good thing to check before heading up the hill? I've never had cold weather experience with a diesel before.


'89 f250 XLT 7.3L IDI

 

If the block heater works Id pack an extension cord. Nice to at least have warm coolant for the heater. Maybe a can of ether just in case gp system quits. Depending on temps I would be inclined to drain water off filter. Anyone ever thought about a heating pad to wrap filter in case of a jelled filter? I know he said he added treatment. What will the temps be?

 

Wouldn't be a bad idea to check and clean battery terminals and all related connections.

 

what mounains where at/

 

I don't know about the block heater. I am still very new to this truck and diesels in general. where would I look to see if it work or even has one?


Either is a good Idea. I can pick up a can of that easy.


I'm not expecting sub 0 temps. Its California snow so I'm expecting lo 50's during the day and low 30's at night.

 

dont use either itll blow your heads off if your not used to using it, then youll be stranded forsure.

 

We are going to be up near Calaveras county Big Trees and Alpine Lake In California.

 

as long as you have no fuel leaks and good batterys you should be good to go. change fuel filter before going.

 

the only times ive been stranded in my idi is when a starter broke, and when i used ETHER and blew a head gasket. and i didnt use much of it either,

 

The fuel Filter is brand new as of August 2015. When we first got the truck it would not run. We changed out all the injector caps and the fuel filter plus some of the fuel lines that were cracked. Now she runs great.
Would that fuel filter be new enough?

 

That's good to know not to co crazy with the Either.

 

trust me you dont have to hardly use it at all. infact the time i blew my head gaskets with it it was -20F here in alaska and i needed to get to work. (obviously that didnt happen) soin cali theres no reason you would need it unless you subzero. then i would still avoid it unless emergency.

if you need a startign aid soak a washcloth in diesel and hold it over intake with airfilter off.

 

yes. unlesss youve ran 5000 gallons of fuel thru it already

 

The factory block heater goes n one of the freeze plug holes above the starter. There is a cord that pugs into it that you plug into 120v. Look for the cord, it is long enough to hang out of the grill. Check it with an ohm meter if you ave one. You can also just plug it in and listen, if its one of those quiet nights that you can hear a Chevy rust, you can hear it working. You really shouldnt need it if your batteries and everything are good at those temps though.
Jumper cables are always good to have.

 

Nope, Not even close.


I will have to look and see if I have that and if so I will test it. I do have an Ohm Meter.
Jumper cables. Wouldn't have thought. They just made the list.