What temp is block heater needed?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
What temp is block heater needed?
Hi Gang. It’s bitter cold here in Michigan now (~10F), and I haven’t driven my 6.7 in a few weeks. Do I need to worry about fuel gelling? Should I plug in the block heater before I start it? Should I be adding some type of cold weather conditioner to the fuel? If so, should I add it before I start? So many questions…
Thanks in advance!
John
Thanks in advance!
John
Hawkerpilot05
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 7
From: MN
Hi Gang. It’s bitter cold here in Michigan now (~10F), and I haven’t driven my 6.7 in a few weeks. Do I need to worry about fuel gelling? Should I plug in the block heater before I start it? Should I be adding some type of cold weather conditioner to the fuel? If so, should I add it before I start? So many questions…
Thanks in advance!
John
Thanks in advance!
John
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,968
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
Hey, John...
Your truck should start with no problems at that temp as long as the fuel is not gelled up. I use additive every tank. I use K100D+ at 1:500 in winter time and at 1:1000 for the summertime. I keep it in an old Stabil 32 oz dosing bottle in my truck as I don't have a cover on my bed. It has no petroleum products and does not smell at all. If it were I living where it's been getting that cold, I would use something for an anti-gel at the minimum. Many guys use the Motorcraft additive here, some use Opti-Lube as it has many different formulations for different uses. There's Power Service, Howe's and many more. Use the search function here on this thread and do a search for fuel additives. Attitudes on fuel additives are like opinions on what oil to run.
As to using your engine block heater, it's not that your 6.7 won't start when it's that cold out, using the block heater will warm the engine block, oil and coolant which will allow for less start wear and tear as the engine is warm some already, which will also allow the engine to get up to operating temps quicker in the real cold weather. YMMV...
Your truck should start with no problems at that temp as long as the fuel is not gelled up. I use additive every tank. I use K100D+ at 1:500 in winter time and at 1:1000 for the summertime. I keep it in an old Stabil 32 oz dosing bottle in my truck as I don't have a cover on my bed. It has no petroleum products and does not smell at all. If it were I living where it's been getting that cold, I would use something for an anti-gel at the minimum. Many guys use the Motorcraft additive here, some use Opti-Lube as it has many different formulations for different uses. There's Power Service, Howe's and many more. Use the search function here on this thread and do a search for fuel additives. Attitudes on fuel additives are like opinions on what oil to run.
As to using your engine block heater, it's not that your 6.7 won't start when it's that cold out, using the block heater will warm the engine block, oil and coolant which will allow for less start wear and tear as the engine is warm some already, which will also allow the engine to get up to operating temps quicker in the real cold weather. YMMV...
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
~112K miles and 11 years in Michigan and I've never used anti-gel in my fuel. Perhaps the fuel station that I use 99.9% of the time in the winter does a good job of switching to winter blend at the correct time in the fall. No problems with starting in temperatures down near zero.
If you're curious as to how much the block heater can help with startup engine temps in the cold weather there is some data in the supplemental heater link in my sig.
If you're curious as to how much the block heater can help with startup engine temps in the cold weather there is some data in the supplemental heater link in my sig.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
I did a bit of research (much more certainly needed), and picked up a bottle of HotShots Diesel Winter Anti-Gel at my local Tractor Supply. I added a dose to the tank, and will take the truck out for a short trip to get it mixed in and circulated through the fuel system. I’ll be heading to Florida next month with the 5th wheel, so this should keep me safe until then. I plugged in the block heater, just in case it might help, and also to see if it actually works (haven’t used it yet). Being a rookie diesel owner, I’m erring on the side of caution…
Thanks for all your helpful replies!
John
Thanks for all your helpful replies!
John
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 2,510
From: West Michigan
John, as long as you have put fuel in the truck since fall you should be fine. Stations switch over pretty early. That said when you wander back to Michigan from Florida, make sure you fill up here in the northern latitudes before shutting down. Fuel from the south doesn't like winter up north.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,722
Likes: 12,867
From: Wyoming
Maybe it's an implied understanding, but I thought I would clarify that the block heater does nothing for warming the fuel or preventing it from gelling.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
John
New User
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I've had a few issues with the cold since I've been in Minnesota for a while this winter. The 1st time that it got -10 to -20, I got the low fuel pressure warning a few times and then it went into low power mode. I took it to the dealer who changed the fuel filters, cleared the codes, and sold me anti-gel to use. Since then I've seen the low fuel pressure only once. I have been running local fuel so I know its formulated for the cold. I've taken it out a few times and run it for 10 miles or so to warm it up good and that seems to be helping.
As I have a Texas truck, I'm pretty sure that it doesn't have a block heater, not that I would be able to plug it in anyhow at my hotel. Winter up here is definitely a different beast.
As I have a Texas truck, I'm pretty sure that it doesn't have a block heater, not that I would be able to plug it in anyhow at my hotel. Winter up here is definitely a different beast.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 178
Likes: 94
It got down to single digits temps here in Tennessee last week and I plugged mine in every night. My main reason though was I have to go to the barn and feed pretty early and I don’t have to wait as long for it to get up operating temps.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 347
From: SE Iowa
As mentioned, you don't really need to use the block heater until subzero temps...and even then it will start just fine without it. However, your truck will start easier and warm up faster with it.
I have mine plugged into a timer set to turn on 3 hours before I leave for work. I also plug it in anytime temps get below 35 degrees. Not because the truck needs it, but because it will defrost the windshield without have to scrape.
I have mine plugged into a timer set to turn on 3 hours before I leave for work. I also plug it in anytime temps get below 35 degrees. Not because the truck needs it, but because it will defrost the windshield without have to scrape.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Robert6401
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
46
Jan 2, 2006 01:18 PM