Powerstroke 01 7.3 Excursion preparing for the Winter
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Powerstroke 01 7.3 Excursion preparing for the Winter
This is the first year that I have had my 7.3 in the winter where I will be in very very cold weather. I will be driving my rig to North Dakota in the winter, I live in the Seattle area and have cold mornings, but nothing like North Dakota. I am a little concerned about winter conditions and starting the rig during my cross trip as well time spend in North Dakota.
I do not have a block heater, and the truck starts fine in morning at 30degrees in Seattle area.
I currently only have straight oil in the rig, looking to a synthetic, which for cold weather?
What does the forum recommend for a trouble free trip and happy truck?
Thanks in advance,
I do not have a block heater, and the truck starts fine in morning at 30degrees in Seattle area.
I currently only have straight oil in the rig, looking to a synthetic, which for cold weather?
What does the forum recommend for a trouble free trip and happy truck?
Thanks in advance,
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
I do not have a block heater, and the truck starts fine in morning at 30degrees in Seattle area.
are you sure you dont have a block heater???this is a stock item..look by your oil filter you should see a orange wire there comming out..the other end will be folded up and tucked away some where by the rad. or front bumper. id use diesel klean in a white bottle at fuel up..some run synthetic oil...keep a spare fuel filer..i live in the white mt's of new hampshire.i plug my truck in when it gets below 0..i use diesel klean in the white bottle..and i use 15 40 rotela.i may swich to synthetic this winter...havent had a problem yet..good luck..
are you sure you dont have a block heater???this is a stock item..look by your oil filter you should see a orange wire there comming out..the other end will be folded up and tucked away some where by the rad. or front bumper. id use diesel klean in a white bottle at fuel up..some run synthetic oil...keep a spare fuel filer..i live in the white mt's of new hampshire.i plug my truck in when it gets below 0..i use diesel klean in the white bottle..and i use 15 40 rotela.i may swich to synthetic this winter...havent had a problem yet..good luck..
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
ive driven big trucks up here for 12 years..never plug it in till about 0 or below.couple friends with psd do the same.always starts with out chugging.till below 0..above 0 it starts up and idels smooth..maybe its the way our fuel is blended??
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Schwos, I am up here in ND, and a block heater is highly recommended. Temps cat get really cold in the A.M. and if you glows plugs are barely good, you will probably not get your truck started. I run 10W30 Rotella T in the winter and don't seem to have any problems. I also use Diesel Kleen anti-gel. I have had straight #2 not gel at -25F with the anti-gel in. Also make yourself a winter survival kit. If you get caught in an infamous ND snow storm you could get stranded and be there awhile. Good luck in your travels, Nodak
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by ron's power stoke
ive driven big trucks up here for 12 years..never plug it in till about 0 or below.couple friends with psd do the same.always starts with out chugging.till below 0..above 0 it starts up and idels smooth..maybe its the way our fuel is blended??
Take some of your engine oil and put in the freezer over night. Then when you see it in the morning, that will give you and idea of what the oil in your truck looks like at those temps.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
As ron's power stroke mentioned, you should have a block heater.... all 7.3L PSDs came with them, supposedly. 
If you've never used it before, it'll probably be a little hard to find the end of the cord, as they stash it in their pretty well.
If you've never used it before, it'll probably be a little hard to find the end of the cord, as they stash it in their pretty well.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Engine Block Heater plug location?
Thanks for the input, so many of you stated that I should already have a engine block heater as all 2001 7.3 PSD came with it, but according to some of my research it was standard only in cold climate locations and I don't know if SEattle, Wa would classify as a cold weather location.
If I have one where would the plug be located, basically where should I start as I have know idea where to look.
If I have one where would the plug be located, basically where should I start as I have know idea where to look.
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
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,497
Likes: 7
From: Central, Al
Check Here : https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ke-thread.html
Usually the plug is hidden behind the bumper just to the right(looking at it) of the Driverside Fog Lamp. 2 looms come out of the fram 1 is fog light the other is Heater plug
Usually the plug is hidden behind the bumper just to the right(looking at it) of the Driverside Fog Lamp. 2 looms come out of the fram 1 is fog light the other is Heater plug
Last edited by Uzumati; Oct 31, 2006 at 11:07 PM.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Engine Block Heater - Alt Power Sources
Thanks for the information in finding the plug and I have one. Now the question is what alt power sources can we use to power the block heater, for example can we use a 12v - 120v inverter, what drain would this have on the two batteries in the truck in case it was an emergency need?
I am thinking of the cross trip when I am at a hotel and need to warm the rig up prior to going for easy start and there is no close plug near by...
What have others done?
Thanks,
I am thinking of the cross trip when I am at a hotel and need to warm the rig up prior to going for easy start and there is no close plug near by...
What have others done?
Thanks,
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
You have to plug it into AC from a residence /hotel or forget it. It draws about 1000watts so you will drain your own batteries if you can even get it to work. If you can't get a household AC connector, better make sure the batteries are good and that the glow plugs and glow plug relay are healthy. I've started mine plenty of times in sub freezing temps without the block heater. Don't like it but have done it. As previously mentioned, might want to go to a thinner oil or synthetic.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
Ford has block heaters in all their diesel trucks up to the 6-blow, that is when they decided to make it an option.
Just another bad idea- sorry taurus. $5.8 million loss in the last quarter and they will still mess something else up without a doubt.
7.3 was their greatest thing along with the taurus and they let them both go. Newer isnt always better. Used car lots are finding this out quick- a king ranch f250 w/ the 7.3 will sell for more than the same comprable truck with the 6.0
Just another bad idea- sorry taurus. $5.8 million loss in the last quarter and they will still mess something else up without a doubt.
7.3 was their greatest thing along with the taurus and they let them both go. Newer isnt always better. Used car lots are finding this out quick- a king ranch f250 w/ the 7.3 will sell for more than the same comprable truck with the 6.0
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rum-N-Gun
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
17
Jun 7, 2014 06:35 AM
danocross
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Oct 6, 2011 05:39 PM