6.0 Block Heater
#16
12-08-2009, 09:29 AM
#17
12-09-2009, 01:19 AM
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Hi guys,
I've been checking out all the advise regarding the block heater for cold weather starting. I have a 2004 F250 6.0 power stroke and am starting to run into significant cold weather starting issues. I noticed this last winter. When the weather gets below 40 degress (right now 18 degress) here in Ogden Utah, it would start ok but I had to let it warm up for a good 5 to 10 minutes or it would be sluggish and would not shift into the next gear properly. Once warn , everything was perfect. Anyone had this shifting issue when cold?
Now I have a bigger prob. Yesterday when it was about 20 degrees outside, the engine would barely catch then die out. This went on for a dozen start attemps until the batteries finally died. I jumped it and finally got it started. Sounded terrible for a minute or two then was ok. God, I hope the glow plug system is ok. Currently unemployed and can't afford a hit like that. Wonder if I'm still under warrenty? Has 63,000 miles and bought it new in Nov, 2003.
I'm definately going for the block heater option as I;m sure this will help alot. Starts right up when the outside temp is 50 degrees of higher. My big concern is when traveling in cold weather an no access to plug in the block heater.
Any thoughts (positive thoughts only please! ha ha) would be greatly appreciated.
Jim in Utah
I've been checking out all the advise regarding the block heater for cold weather starting. I have a 2004 F250 6.0 power stroke and am starting to run into significant cold weather starting issues. I noticed this last winter. When the weather gets below 40 degress (right now 18 degress) here in Ogden Utah, it would start ok but I had to let it warm up for a good 5 to 10 minutes or it would be sluggish and would not shift into the next gear properly. Once warn , everything was perfect. Anyone had this shifting issue when cold?
Now I have a bigger prob. Yesterday when it was about 20 degrees outside, the engine would barely catch then die out. This went on for a dozen start attemps until the batteries finally died. I jumped it and finally got it started. Sounded terrible for a minute or two then was ok. God, I hope the glow plug system is ok. Currently unemployed and can't afford a hit like that. Wonder if I'm still under warrenty? Has 63,000 miles and bought it new in Nov, 2003.
I'm definately going for the block heater option as I;m sure this will help alot. Starts right up when the outside temp is 50 degrees of higher. My big concern is when traveling in cold weather an no access to plug in the block heater.
Any thoughts (positive thoughts only please! ha ha) would be greatly appreciated.
Jim in Utah
Sorry to say but that sounds like an injector issue. Mine did the same thing. The '03's were notorious for injector problems.
#18
12-09-2009, 09:51 AM
Thanks for the tips all. Couple of updates. I was able to locate the block heater cord which was tied together by the front bottom of the radiator. Pluged it in and went off to buy two new batteries since my originals are 6 years old. Installed the new batteries an after about 3 hours of "cooking" with the block heater the truck started better than new. I mean immediately! I could tell by the cranking that the original batteries had been poor for some time.
My next test was to let it sit overnight without the block heater just to see. A couple of years ago it would fire up pretty fast even when 10 degrees out side. Would always make quite a racket for a minute or so wehn extremely cold. It took about four 5 second ignition tries but did barely start and held. Clearly still an issue although the new batteries made a big difference.
Gotta tell you that block heater is something else. At 10-20 degrees that baby started like it was mid July. Perfectly smooth and better yet, the inside heater was working and blowing warm air within seconds.
So it sounds like injectors huh? Ouch. Ignorant question but is there any fuel additive out there that might help before I morgage my house for injector replacement?
Thanks very much all.
My next test was to let it sit overnight without the block heater just to see. A couple of years ago it would fire up pretty fast even when 10 degrees out side. Would always make quite a racket for a minute or so wehn extremely cold. It took about four 5 second ignition tries but did barely start and held. Clearly still an issue although the new batteries made a big difference.
Gotta tell you that block heater is something else. At 10-20 degrees that baby started like it was mid July. Perfectly smooth and better yet, the inside heater was working and blowing warm air within seconds.
So it sounds like injectors huh? Ouch. Ignorant question but is there any fuel additive out there that might help before I morgage my house for injector replacement?
Thanks very much all.
#20
12-09-2009, 03:41 PM
#23
12-16-2009, 04:19 AM
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cold!!!
It's been cold here last couple of weeks it even snowed in the valley . The nightly temp has been in low 20's warming to 40 's during the day. With the block heater plugged in , I check with my temp gauge before starting in the morning and it reads 125 , to be sure I got out my temp gun and it read 120 at oil pan to block , and 125 at soft plugs. It's alot better on all starter, motor, batteries and my wallet .
#24
12-17-2009, 08:24 PM
#25
12-17-2009, 08:28 PM
Thanks for that Casey. I'm out of warrenty. what do they charge to reflash the computer?
#26
12-17-2009, 08:41 PM
You got a lot more issues.
Mobile 1 is not diesel rated.. the one you are using
Switch to Valvoline or low cost brand that is HD rated for that engine.
We have a discussion on this in the 2003 diesel forum..
You have no big problems...
Batteries need to be well looked after, block heater helps...
Also, antigel additive or a tad of kerosene in it if it gets real cold.
#27
12-17-2009, 08:53 PM
#28
12-18-2009, 09:14 AM
$100
You got a lot more issues.
Mobile 1 is not diesel rated.. the one you are using
Switch to Valvoline or low cost brand that is HD rated for that engine.
We have a discussion on this in the 2003 diesel forum..
You have no big problems...
Batteries need to be well looked after, block heater helps...
Also, antigel additive or a tad of kerosene in it if it gets real cold.
You got a lot more issues.
Mobile 1 is not diesel rated.. the one you are using
Switch to Valvoline or low cost brand that is HD rated for that engine.
We have a discussion on this in the 2003 diesel forum..
You have no big problems...
Batteries need to be well looked after, block heater helps...
Also, antigel additive or a tad of kerosene in it if it gets real cold.
Thanks Gearloose. Now I'm confused concerning the oil. I was told that Mobil one 10W-40 synthetic (4 bucks a quart!) was highly recommended for diesels. Do you have the link to the previous thread in the 2003 diesel forum?
Thanks
#29
12-18-2009, 09:45 AM
this is what you should have bought in the mobile 1 line up
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40
or
http://www.delvac.com/usa-english/lu...c_products.asp
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40
or
http://www.delvac.com/usa-english/lu...c_products.asp
#30
12-18-2009, 11:17 AM
this is what you should have bought in the mobile 1 line up
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40
or
Lubricants
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40
or
Lubricants
Thanks for the info Zmann. Dang. I just changed the oil in October. I usually change it ince a year which is about 12,000 mi. I think I'll wait until next spring and go with the 5W-40 diesel oil.