Cold Starts
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Cold Starts
alright with cold weather on the way I have a question, now this may have been discussed before but I'm going to ask now.
On my 03 PS if gets below about 40 degrees and I don't plug it in it is very hard to start, and when it does start it misses and bangs and smokes and carries on for a few minutes. After the missing goes away it will hardly move, even under full throttle, I mean it won't go anywhere, til it has run for about 5-10 minutes depending on temperature. But if its plugged in it starts and goes just like normal.
Now is this common or do I have a problem?
On my 03 PS if gets below about 40 degrees and I don't plug it in it is very hard to start, and when it does start it misses and bangs and smokes and carries on for a few minutes. After the missing goes away it will hardly move, even under full throttle, I mean it won't go anywhere, til it has run for about 5-10 minutes depending on temperature. But if its plugged in it starts and goes just like normal.
Now is this common or do I have a problem?
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Which flash do you have in it??? Is it the newest one for the truck!!! Can't remember if the 03's will take the Inductive flash or not if it will take in and try that seems to cure alot of cold start issues/injector problems.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, fl
If the heat flash didn't help your problem, than you probably looking for injector issues. My truck 03 did the same thing, had to plug it in at the morning even in Fl., and beside a bunch of other work i did on it, replaced the whole set of injectors. Since that, start it, and drive away....
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 2
From: Farmington NM
What oil are you running? Also how cold is it at night there?
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 990
Likes: 1
From: North Pole Alaska
Your injectors are hydralic operated. Your oil has alot to do with how your truck will run when its cold out. Couple of things you can do to rule out oil being the problem; because NO, your engine does NOT have to run like that when its cold.
1. you could switch to Synthetic oil. Mobil-1 makes a "turbo diesel truck oil", Rotella T makes a fully synthetic oil and now even Motorcraft has a fully synthetic.
--problem is, if you are using the 15W-40 DINO oil that most folks are, it doesn't flow when its cold. Actually turns rock hard like ice at -10'F....remember what makes your injectors work? Just think of the extra stress on the HPOP, not to mention your engine doesn't get any lube till the oil decides to flow
2. you could glue using RTV a small 75 watt heat pad on the bottom of the oil pan heater. Thats what alot of folks up here do if they don't want to spend the extra $$ on synthetic oil.
1. you could switch to Synthetic oil. Mobil-1 makes a "turbo diesel truck oil", Rotella T makes a fully synthetic oil and now even Motorcraft has a fully synthetic.
--problem is, if you are using the 15W-40 DINO oil that most folks are, it doesn't flow when its cold. Actually turns rock hard like ice at -10'F....remember what makes your injectors work? Just think of the extra stress on the HPOP, not to mention your engine doesn't get any lube till the oil decides to flow
2. you could glue using RTV a small 75 watt heat pad on the bottom of the oil pan heater. Thats what alot of folks up here do if they don't want to spend the extra $$ on synthetic oil.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 2
From: Farmington NM
Your injectors are hydralic operated. Your oil has alot to do with how your truck will run when its cold out. Couple of things you can do to rule out oil being the problem; because NO, your engine does NOT have to run like that when its cold.
1. you could switch to Synthetic oil. Mobil-1 makes a "turbo diesel truck oil", Rotella T makes a fully synthetic oil and now even Motorcraft has a fully synthetic.
--problem is, if you are using the 15W-40 DINO oil that most folks are, it doesn't flow when its cold. Actually turns rock hard like ice at -10'F....remember what makes your injectors work? Just think of the extra stress on the HPOP, not to mention your engine doesn't get any lube till the oil decides to flow
2. you could glue using RTV a small 75 watt heat pad on the bottom of the oil pan heater. Thats what alot of folks up here do if they don't want to spend the extra $$ on synthetic oil.
1. you could switch to Synthetic oil. Mobil-1 makes a "turbo diesel truck oil", Rotella T makes a fully synthetic oil and now even Motorcraft has a fully synthetic.
--problem is, if you are using the 15W-40 DINO oil that most folks are, it doesn't flow when its cold. Actually turns rock hard like ice at -10'F....remember what makes your injectors work? Just think of the extra stress on the HPOP, not to mention your engine doesn't get any lube till the oil decides to flow
2. you could glue using RTV a small 75 watt heat pad on the bottom of the oil pan heater. Thats what alot of folks up here do if they don't want to spend the extra $$ on synthetic oil.
All powerstrokes came with a block heater from the factory, But some did not come with the plug.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rich gill
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Jan 3, 2010 06:57 PM