Where to plug it in!?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Where to plug it in!?
Hi all
I am new to this forum and don't speak truck so please excuse my ignorace
My boyfriend has an older F-150 I think maybe 1990 and he's plugs it in at nights when it's cold. We live in DC and it gets cold here. COld enough that when he forgets to plug his truck in one night it won't start the next day.
Well he's getting ready to move into an apt building where he will not have anywhere to plug his truck in. What are his options? Is there some sort of portable something that he can get???
Thanks in Advance!!!!
Neg
I am new to this forum and don't speak truck so please excuse my ignorace
My boyfriend has an older F-150 I think maybe 1990 and he's plugs it in at nights when it's cold. We live in DC and it gets cold here. COld enough that when he forgets to plug his truck in one night it won't start the next day.
Well he's getting ready to move into an apt building where he will not have anywhere to plug his truck in. What are his options? Is there some sort of portable something that he can get???
Thanks in Advance!!!!
Neg
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
I'm with the others on this. The '90 in my sig always started in the cold here in Indiana. This generally includes a few nights a year that got as low as -25ºF with -40ºF wind chill. Like they said, I'd look into the alternator, battery, starter and oil weight. I've noticed that when batteries go south in the winter (ha ha), they tend to die slowly--a few slow starts before they don't work. When they die in the heat of the summer, they seem to work fine right up until they croak--they'll start fine in the morning, and leave you stranded when you go to leave work.
Jason
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
Yep its been 30- here for days . Only really need heater if a diesel. Have him check codes
www.fordinjection.com will tell him how. If it cranks but wont start.
Does it not crank or not start? Let us know and get back
www.fordinjection.com will tell him how. If it cranks but wont start.
Does it not crank or not start? Let us know and get back
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
That and a good tune up will not only allow it to start when it's cold out, a equally benefit is it will get better gas mileage.
Using the block heater is just masking underlaying problems. It doesn't get that cold in DC, cold yea but no where near cold enough to stop a properly maintained truck from starting in temps down to -20 or -30 or more bellow zero.
(Edit, that would be a truck with a gasoline engine)
Using the block heater is just masking underlaying problems. It doesn't get that cold in DC, cold yea but no where near cold enough to stop a properly maintained truck from starting in temps down to -20 or -30 or more bellow zero.
(Edit, that would be a truck with a gasoline engine)
Last edited by danr1; Dec 9, 2007 at 05:11 PM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
thanks for all the great info...
I guess I should have mentioned that it's a diesel truck. Does that make a difference as far as it starting up in the cold? I know compared to some of the places you guys are from it doesn't that cold here (ps, I'm from California! so dc gets pretty frigid for me
) but all i know is that he has to plug it in or else it won't start. And I know he takes good care of it...
where can we find a generator? Could he put it in the bed and run an extension cord from the grill to the back?
neg
I guess I should have mentioned that it's a diesel truck. Does that make a difference as far as it starting up in the cold? I know compared to some of the places you guys are from it doesn't that cold here (ps, I'm from California! so dc gets pretty frigid for me
) but all i know is that he has to plug it in or else it won't start. And I know he takes good care of it... where can we find a generator? Could he put it in the bed and run an extension cord from the grill to the back?
neg
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
If it's a diesel, you need to make sure that the fuel has an anti-gel additive in it (some stations add it, some don't). You also need to make sure that your glow plug system is working. On a cold day, you'll have to turn the key on and wait for the "Wait to Start" light to go out before cranking. You shouldn't have to press on the accelerator, either.
Jason
Jason
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by jroehl
If it's a diesel, you need to make sure that the fuel has an anti-gel additive in it (some stations add it, some don't). You also need to make sure that your glow plug system is working. On a cold day, you'll have to turn the key on and wait for the "Wait to Start" light to go out before cranking. You shouldn't have to press on the accelerator, either.
Jason
Jason
Jason,
Are you saying that with the anti gel addictive it won't need to be plugged in?
Neg
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Originally Posted by negyaz
thanks for all the great info...
I guess I should have mentioned that it's a diesel truck. Does that make a difference as far as it starting up in the cold? I know compared to some of the places you guys are from it doesn't that cold here (ps, I'm from California! so dc gets pretty frigid for me ) but all i know is that he has to plug it in or else it won't start. And I know he takes good care of it...
where can we find a generator? Could he put it in the bed and run an extension cord from the grill to the back?
neg
I guess I should have mentioned that it's a diesel truck. Does that make a difference as far as it starting up in the cold? I know compared to some of the places you guys are from it doesn't that cold here (ps, I'm from California! so dc gets pretty frigid for me
) but all i know is that he has to plug it in or else it won't start. And I know he takes good care of it... where can we find a generator? Could he put it in the bed and run an extension cord from the grill to the back?
neg
Yea that was a small piece of "needed" of info!
But if it has a "working" glow plug in each cylinder and the injector pump and injectors are in good shape it should start just fine in very cold weather without any problem.
I gotta say I doubt people living at a apartment complex are not going to go for a genarator running in the parking lot all night. Regardless of how "quiet" it is.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
How many amps does the heater draw?
would a battery isolator and inverter work?
Just to keep everything compact and underhood.
Also could he negotiate getting a parking stall near an outlet?
This is a tough situation with no easy fixes. Leaving a generator out every night is not a wise idea. It could get expensive after awhile.
would a battery isolator and inverter work?
Just to keep everything compact and underhood.
Also could he negotiate getting a parking stall near an outlet?
This is a tough situation with no easy fixes. Leaving a generator out every night is not a wise idea. It could get expensive after awhile.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 0
It sounds like he isnt waiting for the wait to start light to go off, meening he is cranking on cold cylinders. Im not gunna get technical about it because no offence you dont really seem to know what your talking about here. so here is basically the general explanation of what is happening.
when that light is on the engine is warming itself up before you it can start, if he is trying to start the engine while the light is on not only will he damage parts, but it will take many trys to start the engine. He should turn the key only long enough to see the "wait to start" light come on, and then not turn the key any further until the light is off.
And these guys are right, you really shouldnt be needing a block heater for the kind of temps your in. Teach him how to properly use his truck.
when that light is on the engine is warming itself up before you it can start, if he is trying to start the engine while the light is on not only will he damage parts, but it will take many trys to start the engine. He should turn the key only long enough to see the "wait to start" light come on, and then not turn the key any further until the light is off.
And these guys are right, you really shouldnt be needing a block heater for the kind of temps your in. Teach him how to properly use his truck.