Cold Weather Problem

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Jan 26, 2004 | 09:09 AM

jaustin

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Cold Weather Problem

Hi folks. First-time poster here.

-13F at my house in Maine this morning. When I tried to start my '88 F150 XLT Lariat (inline 6), it complained very loudly and wouldn't start. It turned over, but very roughly. When I cranked it, everything vibrated. It usually starts in this kind of weather, though it's not happy about it (turning the key takes some strength).

I let the day warm up a bit (it's sunny here, so the truck got well above zero even if the air didn't). It starts now, but now it runs REALLY rough; the whole truck shakes. I opened up the hood and the engine is now rocking back and forth maybe ten times per second.

Motor mount?

Can I drive it 2.5 miles to the garage without screwing things up worse?

How much will this cost to fix?

Thanks,
Jim

Jan 26, 2004 | 09:16 AM

ATC_250SX

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From: Concord, New Hampshire

Its just cold man, im in New hampshire just north of concord, i HAVE to put my toyota and ford on a block heater if i want them to start when its that cold out, my ford is an 87 f-150 w/351, it also takes some strength to turn the ignition when cold, if i were you i would invest in a lower radiator hose or some other type of block heater, did you let the old girl warm up to see if she comes out of it?? and it will defidently start hard, ever seen oil at 13 below? yeah its thick, and the motor has to pump it and move it that thick. and do you run drygas? it may also have some water in there, but id start by letting her warm up and seeing what happens, how long did you let it run?

Jan 26, 2004 | 09:20 AM

jaustin

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Thanks for the quick reply.

I only let it warm up for a coupla minutes. I didn't want to let it run because I was afraid of breaking something else. It's running REALLY rough; the whole truck vibrates.

How much would a heater cost installed?

Thanks,
Jim

Jan 26, 2004 | 09:24 AM

ATC_250SX

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From: Concord, New Hampshire

I got a 600 watt, lower radiator hose from Autozone for 24.99 and just put it in the hose, its not quite big enough for the 351 but keeps it warm enough so it actually starts, and its real easy to put in, you just get the one for the right size for the hose, i matched mine up to a new hoze in the store, then you pick a good spot on the truck, cut the hose, let your coolant out, then just put the heater into the hose and clamp it in, refil your coolant and your done, the worst part is the fact that you have to drain the coolant, it just makes a mess. dose the truck smooth out when you give it a bit of gas? or doses it not matter it just runs rough?

Jan 26, 2004 | 09:42 AM

jaustin

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Hey guess what? I just went out and tried it again and it started right up, no vibration! Drove up up town and got some gas--perfect!

I'm still gonna put one of those heaters in though. Thanks for the tip!

Jim

Jan 26, 2004 | 09:44 AM

ATC_250SX

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From: Concord, New Hampshire

yeah no problem, after having to sit in the cold one morning and hold my truck at idle i went and bought one, i like it and i think the truck does too.

Jan 26, 2004 | 02:45 PM

clipper1

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From: maine

Something else you might try is a light bulb under the hood for the night. 100 watt on a drop light will work. Not as good as a block heater but cheap and easy.
You may want to have tune up done. The vibration could have come from a bad plug. The cold wether will bring those things out.
I live in maine too. It has been tooooo cold here latly. My 94 starts better than the wifes 03 toyota though!!