so i am looking into an '05 6.0 powerstroke my only issue is i live in minnesota and it gets pretty cold in the winter here as you can imagine and im wondering how it will run during the colder months and be sitting outside most of the time. i dont want to have to spend another couple hundred dollars on parts to keep it running to get be to and from school. thanks so much

 

Plug it in and don't worry, block heater does great.

 

A 6.0 doesn't like short trips, so not the ideal vehicle to have just to take you to school (unless it is quite a drive).

 

well ive got a 15-20 minute drive that i can make in about 10 minutes in my mustang, i can only imagine what it is gonna be in winter probably about half hour or so plus going to work and back every day

 

I live in Mn, I haven't done anything different to any of my diesels, make sure you have a good thermostat, you block heater works, I use Power Service in the white jug and I run Rotella T-6 year round and make sure you run GOOD fuel from a reputable station! Make sure you change your fuel filters regular and use Ford filters. I have 253'xxx on the old Ex, 112'xxx on my 02, 112'xxx on the 05, I have never had a problem in the winter with a fuel issue.

 

I live in MN and drive 5 miles to and from work with mine in the winter. I plug it in if I remember. It will start just fine well below zero.

 

t6 oil, good batteries and always use antigel.

 

You'll be fine. I'm in Alaska and use mine in both Anchorage and Fairbanks.


Because I go out snowmaching for several days and it usually seems to be colder when I come back than when I left. I've seen it drop to -50 while I was out. What I did to make sure I can get the truck started is I put heater pads under both batteries and one on the side of the oil pan. I hooked all four into one plug in since the load is below 20A. I put 5W-40W synthetic in it. I keep a Honda 2000 generator in the back seat. When I get back to the truck, I crank it up and plug it in. It takes 30 minutes to get the machines loaded. At that point I'll try the truck. If it seems like it will start I go ahead. If it seems iffy, I'll let it set for a while longer and also put a battery charger on it. I've always made it back.

You don't have to go to those extremes, but I know it can get down to -50 where you're at. The block heater by itself works well, but I would recommend going to synthetic and putting a smaller (75 watt) pad heater on the side of the oil pan. I don't put mine on the bottom in case I have to use a propane heater or weed burner under the oil pan. Install it with some high temp silicone. Hold it there with some duct tape while the silicone dries and then remove the tape.

If you want it to heat up quicker while you drive, you can find after market kits to fit inside of the front grill to block off the cold air flow. Also use some anti gel (like Power Serve I the white bottle) to prevent gelling and to boost the cetane in the #1 diesel so you don't ruin the injector pump - they're not cheap to replace. You should also buy / carry a RED bottle of Power Serve in case you fuel system does freeze up. Don't use it as a regular additive. Let it sit for four hours or longer - it works. Read the instructions on the bottle. Also change both fuel filters in the fall to eliminate any water that may be in them.

Bill

 

* Add the Mishimoto 200*f t-stat
* Put a 140A+ alternator in it, maybe upgrade the alternator wiring to see better charging voltage for the batteries faster
* Use 5W40 or 0W40 oil

The alternator should be upgraded on any 6.0 anyways because the 110A one is too small for the truck, no matter what you live.

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