Warming up a PSD
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 3
From: Bass Lake, CA
Originally Posted by kw5413
IMO, it is because of the generally poor quality of diesel fuels. At least until ULSD becomes prevalent. Soot build up is the single worst cancer that can infect a 6.0.
I have read on informed sites that the 6.0 was designed for optimum performance utilizing diesel fuel with a minimum 46 centane rating. The National average, as I recall, is less than 42 cetane. This is why many folks highly recommend the use of quality diesel fuel additives at every fuel up.
The 9 nine county N. Texas area has been somewhat fortunate that, a while back, the EPA mandated that local distributors offer fuels with a minimum cetane rating of 48. It is my belief this is the reason our trucks here seem to have fewer fuel / EGR Valve related issues...though some have.
I have a # of friends in the trades and they idle their trucks a good part of the day...with no 6.0 issues...each of them have followed my lead and depend heavily on fuel additives to keep them soot free.
I have read on informed sites that the 6.0 was designed for optimum performance utilizing diesel fuel with a minimum 46 centane rating. The National average, as I recall, is less than 42 cetane. This is why many folks highly recommend the use of quality diesel fuel additives at every fuel up.
The 9 nine county N. Texas area has been somewhat fortunate that, a while back, the EPA mandated that local distributors offer fuels with a minimum cetane rating of 48. It is my belief this is the reason our trucks here seem to have fewer fuel / EGR Valve related issues...though some have.
I have a # of friends in the trades and they idle their trucks a good part of the day...with no 6.0 issues...each of them have followed my lead and depend heavily on fuel additives to keep them soot free.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Spring Valley Ca
I let mine warm to about 120 f to alow the oil to circulate and all metals come up to temp evenly and at a controlled rate. Differant metals have a tendancy to thermally grow at different rates causing unusual wear, ie; bearings and valves, rings ect because of slight misalignment while cold. Also it is proven that moisture and heat create carbonic acid that leads to unsual wear and scoring of the cylinder walls. The wear may be ever so slight but reduces the economical life of the engine. I let the engine cool to 140 F to prevent wear.
I have a remote start that i use for warming the engine/cab and cooling the cab/engine.
I have a remote start that i use for warming the engine/cab and cooling the cab/engine.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 51
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quick question, ('02 7.3)the other night i was out camping and it dipped down to about 28 or 29, my rig had been sitting for about 5 or 6 hours...i started it up and let it idle while i loaded some chairs and tables in the bed, and the idle was jumping up to ~900rpm. tapping the gas would bring it back. kept doing it after driving for 5-10 min at a time and letting it idle again.
normal?
paul
normal?
paul
Last edited by paulkeith; Nov 6, 2006 at 02:35 PM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
Yes, that is normal. That is the Cold Ambient Package acting like it's designed to, raising the idle and closing the EBPV (you can hear it through the exhaust as a sort of hissing/shrieking sound) to put a bit of a load on the engine. Whenever the oil and intake air temps get low, that kicks in to keep things warm. You'll notice that tapping the brake will also disengage it.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX
Originally Posted by pimpedrsrage
i have a 7.3psd..and when i start it up when its below 45 degrees...there is a puff of blue smoke...the colder it is the more it smokes and the closer it is to 45 degrees the less it smokes...but it only puffs out one little puff of smoke. wondering if anybody else's does this..oh and by the way my truck is a 02
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by TheFist
I've been letting mine idle for about 5 minutes and then taking the long way to the freeway from my house and cruising real slow through the neighborhood. Seems to be working pretty good.
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pwrstroketx
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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