Cold Weather Tips ?????
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Cold Weather Tips ?????
I have an 04 F-350 SD and am wondering if anyone has any cold weather starting tips for me. I was also wondering how much weight to put in the back, i have 600 pounds in there now. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Frits
Thanks,
Frits
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Smiths Grove, KY
If your truck is a diesel you might check out the 2003-2007 PSD section of the forum there have been several recent post on cold weather starting, heaters, etc.
2003 - 2007 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
2003 - 2007 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
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From: Whittier, CA
Yeah, knowing what motor you have might help. But the diesel is a good guess.
How cold is cold in your area?
1. Plug the block heater in when temps are expected to be below freezing.
2. Use an anti-gel in your fuel, like Power Service Diesel Kleen in the white bottle.
3. Change your oil to a synthetic 5W-40.
4. Change your fuel filters every 10k miles, and try to start the winter with fresh filters.
5. Load test your batteries NOW before winter gets hard. If either one is marginal, replace them both with two matching 850CCA.
I don't think you need to add any weight, if you get a good tire. But some guys do, and 600# is a hell of a lot. I think most would say 200# is enough to make an improvement.
Disclaimer - I live in So Cal, so most of this is just theory for me. I was smart enough to stay away from cold weather.
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Thanks for the tips. And yes it's a diesel. Does it come with a block heater or is that something that needs to be installed on there ? I wish i could have stayed away from this climate but o well.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Whittier, CA
They all have a block heater in the block. The question is whether it has the cord attached. If it has it, you will find it behind the front bumper, passenger side. If it doesn't have the cord you can add it easily.
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From: Smiths Grove, KY
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I live in Michigan and it gets colder that sh *t in late Feb and early March. One thing you need to make sure you do is put diesel additive in your fuel, my 2007 6.0 froze up and it was towed to a dealer, they said I had ice crystals on both my fuel filters.....it was a $400.00 repair.
Honeslty, I think they just warmed the thing up in the shop and it started. But if you use additive it will keep the fuel from jelling up on you, along with removing small amounts of water that may accumulate in your filters, this along with the engine block heater is all you really need to do.
I did this with my 05 6.0 also and no problems
Honeslty, I think they just warmed the thing up in the shop and it started. But if you use additive it will keep the fuel from jelling up on you, along with removing small amounts of water that may accumulate in your filters, this along with the engine block heater is all you really need to do.
I did this with my 05 6.0 also and no problems
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Elder User
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From: Schwenksville,Pa
I use the white bottle of Power Service which you can get at Wal Mart. I put in 8 ounces for every half tank. Some other recommeddations are to use 5W-40 synthetic oil, add a stick-on electric oil pan heater (I use a Wolverind model 16) which can be wired to the block heater cord. I think 600 lbs in the bed is plenty of weight, the farther back the better.
Posting Guru
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From: Edmonton, AB.
What barnbridge said. If you've got 15w-40 in there now, change it out asap. It like trying to start and engine with corn syrup for lube. 5-40 syn is good all year round or you can go with 10w-30 for diesels. Gotta be at least CJ4 rated.
Also check out the 6.0 tech files. Lots of good stuff.
Also check out the 6.0 tech files. Lots of good stuff.
Posting Guru
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600 lbs. or more is about right. I run 1,000 or more with a plow on the front. 200 won't do *****. Engine block heater and a good anti-gel product are your new best friends. Oh, and good tires too, preferable ones with lots of siping and specific ratings for nasty weather.
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