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17° almost didn't start

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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 06:57 AM
  #1  
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17° almost didn't start

I have conventional oil. Block heater plugged in all night. I don't have a timer for it yet. Batteries had plenty of juice. Lot of white smoke. It's Iowa, so it's only going to get colder eventually. I have to park it outside. What things can I do? High idle did kick in after I took this picture but it took about two minutes after starting.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 07:09 AM
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From: Asheville-where weird is
5W-40 Full Synthetic is probably what you need. Tugly likes Mobile1 Diesel, Pocket likes Valvoline, I run Rotella T6.

Going to give the others a try next oil change.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 07:15 AM
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BTW, the 5W-40 has never failed to get me going at 10 below in NH even while not plugged in. An oil change is probably your quickest, safest bet.

I do have new OEM glow plugs however. How old are the ones in your truck?
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 07:58 AM
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I think u need to check your block heater. The few times its been butt cold here and I plugged in overnight, the temp gauge slightly moved off Cold. The block heaters and cords do go bad overtime.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 08:08 AM
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On tuesday it hit 17° over here in las cruces nm and my truck started just fine wothout block heater. You have to check your glow plugs, glow plug relay, glow plug harness and make sure you batts are up to par.
Good luck
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 08:17 AM
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Plugged in all night? That rig should have fired up like a summer time day.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Dan V
Plugged in all night? That rig should have fired up like a summer time day.
Might be injector time
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 09:58 AM
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As far as I know it's all original. I've only owned the truck since July. I was wondering about that heater. I will test it tonight and see what if it's even working. I might try an oil change next and run synthetic in it.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by z31freakify
Might be injector time
He didn't say how many miles though.

I'd be inclined to check, as another post suggested, block heater, GP's, GP solenoid. Mine starts pretty well to 0f without any aid other than the GP's....using 15w-40.

I have about 400 miles before my next oil change, and I'll go 10w-30.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 07:33 PM
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Like said if block heater was working it should fire up. It should pull about 8.5 amps if you have an amprobe
 
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Old Dec 18, 2015 | 11:50 PM
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Check the whole cold start system. Block heater, Glow plugs, Glow plug relay.
My truck starts at -13 without plugging in.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2015 | 07:59 AM
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Have you laid a screwdriver over the large post on gpr for 1-2 mins??
Then try to start. It will spark on intial contact. But this is basically bypassing the gpr.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2015 | 08:52 AM
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Synthetic oil in the winter for sure - you can't always plug in (parked other than at home).

If you have a multimeter, start troubleshooting your glowplug system - everything from the relay to the connections to the plugs themselves. If the GPs work OK, give 'em time before cranking. They will run up to 2 minutes when that cold, and cycling the key will add another two minutes - if you have good batteries.

Your block heater should get the block up to about 60-80 degrees in those temperatures - if it's working. The plug itself frequently fails - inspect it closely as a first step. Stinky's plug was corroded on one occasion, and I had one broken conductor in another instance. Replacing the plug with a weather-proof plug fixed it both times. I did lose the original factory heating element once, and had to order a new one from Ford.

If everything above is squared away and you still have a stubborn cold start, the last link in my signature needs a visit - before you even think about looking at injectors.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2015 | 09:47 AM
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Tugly...heres the bet. I'll run dino 10w-30 all winter here...Minneapolis, and mine will start at least to 0 degrees without being on the umbilical cord.

17 degrees above is not cold.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2015 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Dan V
Tugly...heres the bet. I'll run dino 10w-30 all winter here...Minneapolis, and mine will start at least to 0 degrees without being on the umbilical cord.

17 degrees above is not cold.
Your injectors are shiny, my friend. I have no problem off the cord either... but I just prefer Stinky's winter behavior on the plastic stuff. I never know when I'll get slapped around with minus 20 degrees far from an outlet.
 
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