plugging in a diesel
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
plugging in a diesel
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Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! The Internet's leading Ford TRUCK and SUV Resource!
This thread has been moved from Garage and Workshop Tips forum where we share ideas about how to organize tools, heat the shop, or free that rusty bolt. Unfortunately no truck tech questions are allowed there. Please scan down the list of available forums and place your topic in the most specific forum you can find, -fairly simple to do and just takes a moment.
Please take the time to read the headings and notices in each forum. The FTE board is HUGE! We want users to be able to find answers to their questions so it is organized into many areas and search tools are provided.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact a moderator.
Please turn on your email function. Users do not have access to your actual email address.
Thanks for using FTE!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
plugging in a diesel
Welcome to the site indeed! 
While it does help in extremely cold climates, most modern diesels don't require that you use the block heater to get started. Unless you live in the far N., I wouldn't worry too much about it.
While it does help in extremely cold climates, most modern diesels don't require that you use the block heater to get started. Unless you live in the far N., I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 1
From: Scenic Wisconsin
plugging in a diesel
Use a good fuel additive like Power Service or Stanadyne - keeps the fuel from gelling in the really cold weather.
I have an old beater 1 ton Chebbie with the crappy 6.2 and I don't have much of a problem even with that POS in moderately cold weather.
NoMo's right - I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I have an old beater 1 ton Chebbie with the crappy 6.2 and I don't have much of a problem even with that POS in moderately cold weather.
NoMo's right - I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Okinawa Japan
plugging in a diesel
I had a autostarter installed on my SD that will automatically start when it get below what ever I have selected. I believe up here in Alaska I have it set at 0. It will run for 20-30 min and shut off for 2 hrs then do it again. I only set this up when I know it is going to be -20 or below. It seems to start fine down to there
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: East Hampton, NY
plugging in a diesel
Ive had my 01 f-250 unplugged in below zero in VT. It will start, but does the loaping thing for a sec before settling into a regular idle. This winter I will run 10W30 oil instead of 15W40. Supposed to help.
-Shawn
-Shawn
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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Likes: 0
plugging in a diesel
The glowplugs on a 99'+ powerstroke run longer than the wait to start light. The glow plugs can remain under power as long as 2 minutes. The actual power etc is controlled by pcm. In severe cold conditions even waiting a few seconds beyond the wait to start light is not a bad idea.
The glowplugs are only part of the cold start system on a powerstroke. Most of the other systems do more after the engine is actually started.
The glowplugs are only part of the cold start system on a powerstroke. Most of the other systems do more after the engine is actually started.
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