Caveat: It's been cold for where I live (NC)...15 to 20-degrees in the mornings the past couple of days.....Not necessarily cold compared to some of y'all.

Got an problem.....or maybe it ain't really an "problem", so much as an "issue". The past couple of days, it's been pretty cold...in the mornings AND during the day...at least for my area. A couple of days ago (I get up at 0430 when I'm working...coldest part of the day), I went out to start up old Betsy, and I could tell the batteries were working harder (they're Autocraft "Silvers"), but they cranked the engine fine. The "issue" is, for about 5 to 10 seconds after it cranked, the engine didn't run with a steady rumble like normal, it gave out a rhythmic "whup-whup-whup"....kinda like you're goosing the accelerator in little short 1/2 second bursts.....Like the engine was started, but was struggling to get going. After 5 to 10 seconds, it finally went steady.

It did this twice. 2 mornings ago (20-degrees...but about 5-degrees with the wind-chill), and again this afternoon (didn't have it running since yesterday morning....1 1/2 days, and it stayed cold during the day....but it was about 50-degrees this afternoon when I started it).

Is this an oil-type issue?....or is it something else?.....I've got Rotella 15W40 in it right now (about 1000 miles ago), and it's run perfect until recently (and only after just starting). The truck is NOT garaged, and is basically out in the elements. Keep in mind, it rarely gets below 20-degrees overnight here....and only occasionally down to about 15-degrees.

2000 F250 psd crew-cab 4X4
Short box
No mods on the truck
68000-miles on the OD

Thanks

 

it's probally because of the thick oil and cold weather. you could check out your glow plugs, but i think your truck is ok. you could try the rotella 5-40 syn and see if that helps.

 

check out this thread
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...full-synt.html

 

In non cold weather situations that would be a sign that it is time to change the oil.

 

OK, Bloomy63......Looks like #3 in that thread hit that nail right on the head....particularly the noise that is made......

So we're all pretty sure it's the thickening of the oil?......5W-40 might be the way to go?........

p.s. Shenders99.....changed 1000 miles ago (Wix filter, new air filter also, etc.)......

Damn.....when you post on the 7.3 forum you get a QUICK response!!!

Thanks

 

glad to help

 

I'll tell ya, once you change to 5-40 syn (at elast for the winter months) you will NEVER run 15-40 again during the cold season. It will amaze you when it starts up on cold mornings...I've started at 0 degrees (without running the block heater) this fall with NO romping whatsoever. It justs purrs in cold weather with 5-40 syn oil !

 

Did anyone see the service buletin from International. The are now approving 5W40 for year round use in the T444E and several other motors.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...chbumcook.html

 

Yeah mine does that all the time when it's cold. New glow plugs and relay. Diesels just don't like the cold weather. I think it's the 15w40 oil, but I don't know for sure. It's not bad for them, but I usually just either plug in the truck at night or cycle the glow plugs and the problem goes away or is greatly reduced.

DC-9-32

 

Alright....stupid question.....Usually use the Rotella dino 15W40.....formulated for diesels....Does Shell also have the "diesel" dino in 5W40?.....I heard some of you guys mention the "syn" oil......Not to get into a "syn" vs "dino" debate, but so far as cold-weather protection....is the dino going to do the same thing as the syn?.......

p.s. Considering going to Royal Purple at some point, so I'm not anti-syn.........

 

Shell Rotella does make a 10-30 for diesels. I use it in Wasilla, AK in the winter and it really helps with cold starts. You will really be surprised at how much of difference just changing your oil to the lighter viscousity will make. To be frank, when I made the change, I was shocked at the difference.

 

Thanks, T.R.Bauer......I'll look for it.......I've only seen the 15W40 so far on the shelves, but I'll keep looking....Is it going to have the words "approved for light and medium duty diesel engines" on the back?......

 

Any shell rotella approved for diesel use will be fine in our engines. Given the age of our rigs, I think you will have to look hard to find something that does not meet the API service requirements for our trucks. However, having said that, the old rule of you get what you pay for still applies. So watch the Supertech brands etc.

 

I switched to rotella 5w-40 syn when I first bought my truck. It made a noticeable differance in the sound of my motor, a smoother diesel rattle. I never plug my truck in and it starts up with no trouble everytime. I rember one cold start when it still had the 15w40 the dealer put in it when I drove it off the lot. I have remote start and when I hit the button to fire it up, I thought it was going to explode, it just "romp romp romp".

 

Rotella 5-40 syn is what I use in the cold weather (one oil change in the fall) then the rest of the time I use 15-40 Delo. From a flow perspective, 5-40 dino or 5-40 syn will flow the same. I read VQ2Fast4U comment:

"...I switched to rotella 5w-40 syn when I first bought my truck. It made a noticeable differance in the sound of my motor, a smoother diesel rattle. I never plug my truck in and it starts up with no trouble everytime. "

That is exactly my experience with 5-40 in the winter. It makes my truck start the same as in the summer...about two seconds of cranking after the glow plugs are off and it idles like it is 70 degrees out.