warming up a diesel
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: Greater Floyd Area, AR
I'm sure it's alot colder up there in Vermont than it is here in Arkansas, but as long as your truck starts easy I don't think there is any reason to plug it up.
As far as Idle time, well... I live on a gravel road and then a country highway. I can drive several miles in first or second gear without being in anyone's way so I don't warm up very long. I just drive real slow at low RPMs for a few miles. But i don't think it would hurt to let your Powerstroke warm up for about 5 min before you drive off. Keep it slow until the engine and trany are warm.
I also believe your engine oil plays an important role in this. I run synthetic Rotella 5W40 in the winter. It will flow better at the lower temps.
I would like to here others chime in on this.
jimbo
As far as Idle time, well... I live on a gravel road and then a country highway. I can drive several miles in first or second gear without being in anyone's way so I don't warm up very long. I just drive real slow at low RPMs for a few miles. But i don't think it would hurt to let your Powerstroke warm up for about 5 min before you drive off. Keep it slow until the engine and trany are warm.
I also believe your engine oil plays an important role in this. I run synthetic Rotella 5W40 in the winter. It will flow better at the lower temps.
I would like to here others chime in on this.
jimbo
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
It's not real cold here in Texas compared to Vermont either. If it drops into the 40's or below, I'll start up about 5 mins. before leaving. I also live back in the woods a couple of miles down a gravel road, then paved county road to the highway for another few miles, so it's about halfway warmed up by then. If it's going to be below 40, I'll plug it in with a timer set 3 hours before I leave just to get heat in the cab faster.
BTW, I'm running Rotella 15w40 with no problems.
BTW, I'm running Rotella 15w40 with no problems.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Another country boy here... I drive back roads to work, about 4 miles and never have to get over 2k rpm. It's warm when I get to work but not until. If I'm going to head to the highway or it's below 30* I'll let it warm up for 10 minutes or so but most days just warm up for a couple of minutes and it's good to go. I run Delo 15W40 with no problems at all (now that the gp's are working..).
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I would lik emy truck to warm up for at least 5 min. but it wouldnt hurt to let it run for 10 or even 15 mins. when i leave i pull out on a paved road that is 35 Mph. i just take it really slow on that road for about 2 miles. then i get on another road that is 45MPH. by that time its warmed up so i can step on it if i need to get up to speed. It gets up to 35 here with lows of 10. i am running amsoil 5W-40.
Ohh and i have a ? about these plugins. can you just plug it in and leave it? or do you need a timmer? and what do they do? just keep the glowplugs good and hot? or do they do somthing else?
thanks
Mitch
Ohh and i have a ? about these plugins. can you just plug it in and leave it? or do you need a timmer? and what do they do? just keep the glowplugs good and hot? or do they do somthing else?
thanks
Mitch
Thread Starter
|
VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,116
Likes: 294
From: Orange, Vermont
Thanks for all the replies so far. I have another question, did all the power strokes come with block heaters or was it an option, and if it doesn't have one, what are the options? Thanks again.
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I live in Bend, Oregon and it's about 35-40 degrees in the morning so I plug it in at night and in the morning I let it warmup about 10 minutes while I drink my coffee. 5w/40 Synth oil works very well.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Check your oil filter housing it should have a red cord coming out of it, that is if it's a 97 F350. Follow the cord to the front of your truck along the frame till you find the end.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
In Michigan - When it gets below 20 I have the truck on a timer which starts up about 2 hrs ahead of when I want to leave for work. This way I only run for a few minutes before leaving and I have good heat in a couple of miles. When not plugged in I wait for 5 minutes then leave. But I only go about 35 mph for a couple of miles then it normally is starting to put out heat to the heater then off we go at 55.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
From: Gunnison, Co.
The winters here are cold, but I keep my truck in a heated garage. Nice to jump into a warm truck when it is -35F. Also nice to have a warm/clean spot to work on it when it is cold out (and melt off the snow every day!). During the days at work I plug the truck in all day when it stays below 10F for a high. That way it is ready if I need it during the day. When it is 20F or above I sometimes plug it in a couple of hours before I go home. It starts fine if I need it, just give it 5 minutes to warm up before I go. I run rotella 15w40 all year because I can't get any lighter weight oil without getting it through mail order around here. Never had any problems, but like I said I try to keep the truck warm so it won't matter. Sometimes I leave it parked at the ski area all day with no plug in when it is cold. I give it two good cycles on the glow plugs before trying to start it and then let it idle 5+ minutes before taking off slow. No heat for about 15 miles highway on those days. Plugging it in gives quick heat into the cab. Really only need 2 hours plugged in. You can leave it plugged in all night if you like but a timer really saves electricity and cuts your bill alot.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach, Florida
Block heaters and glowplugs
It is just an electric element inside the block that creates a warm area for the oil to sit so when you start up in the cold-cold you have better oil and lubrication circulation immediately and you're not trying to pick up and pump cold, cold, thick, thick oil. It also adds a little bit of heat to the engine which is tightened up a bit because of the contraction of all the metal parts in the freezing cold engine. You know how a worn-out engine runs better when it's not warmed up and then gets sloppy and leaks and smokes more when it's up and running and completely warmed up? Well exactly the opposite happens in the freezing cold. The metal actually gets smaller and everything is tighter and it's hard for the battery and starter to get it winging fast enough for the diesel to fire on its own. That's why we use glowplugs to add a little bit of heat in the combustion chamber to help the diesel blow up and get the truck running.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach, Florida
If you discover that your truck does not have a block heater and you feel like you need one you can go to Napa and get a wand-like one that goes down inside your oil dipstick tube. It introduces a little bit of heat and can work okay in the terrible cold. It's better than nothing. I bought one in Maine once for my 9 litre international in my camper bus(schoolie).
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
Lows in the 20s and 30s here, the truck starts great! You guys make me feel bad - I only give it 1 minute of warmup unless it is extremely cold. I do keep the RPMs low, its about 5 miles to the freeway and by then I have some temp showing on the gauge. When I have let it idle for an extended period of time it does not seem to generate any heat. I am considering the 203* thermostat...
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: Greater Floyd Area, AR
Originally Posted by 1969fordguy
When I have let it idle for an extended period of time it does not seem to generate any heat. I am considering the 203* thermostat...
jimbo