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In reading other posts, it brought to mind a question. What would cause excessive warm up time? Even when it's 80 degrees outside, when I start the truck from "cold" I have to let it idle for at least 15 minutes or it just won't get out of it's own way, approx 20-25 minute when it really is cold outside. Any ideas?
Unless you have the high idle mod, idling your truck isn't going to get it up to operating temperature ....and it's not good for the motor to idle it excessively. Best to just drive it easy until the temps come up.
Hey Steve, when it's cold out and I start the truck, it idles at a very rough low idle for about 2 minutes and then the idle does come up to a higher than normal idle. This morning it wasn't even "cold" outside, 45degrees and I had to start it 3 times before it would continue to run. When the engine is cold, it won't even get up to 25-30mph until the temp comes up off of the low mark. It runs like a 2 stroke bike does with a fouled plug. Is this to be considered "normal" for an '03 model with 187k?
When was the last time you had it flashed? The latest flashes help with cold start issues. And what are you running for oil? 5-40 syn helps alot. Maybe if you have a code reader or access to one check if its showing any codes. Could be injectors getting lazy, actually it could be one or more of several things, but check for codes and see if anything comes up. Keep us posted!
Not at 45 degrees above. Sounds like you might have some injector issues - especially when this thread is combined with your thread about the intermittent loss of power and smoke
Edit: Beat me to it Tim. Looks like I'm slow on the uptake today
I just chnaged the oil and used 15-30 Rotella. I think I will change it again and go to the 5w-40 Rotella. Does the synthetic make that big of a diff. in a vehicle that has 187k and has never run synthetic?
the difference is the lower viscosity on cold starts. the 5w will make a huge difference. it dose sound like you have some sticktion going on. might be time to change an injector or 2. with that kind of miles though I would opt to change all 8. you could try some hot shots secrete, some say it worked for them. It didnt do anything for my problem, but for $50 and a money back garrenty its worth a try. and the recomeneded oil for these trucks from the factory is 15w40 not 15-30. the secound number in oil weight is what the vis is when at opperating temps. you want a 40w when wramed up. 5w-40 syntheic is what is recomended around here. it helps a lot on cold starts, its also good for the turbo too.
Agreed. I checked the containers and it was 15-40 that I used. Still think I'll go to the 5w-40. I live in Oklahoma and work in the dallas area during the week. The turbo and 4 injectors were changed by the dealer when the truck had about 97k on it. Probably would still be best to change all 8 of 'em though... huh? Where can I get the "hot shots secret"?
Thanks Steve, and everyone else who has taken the time to read and respond to my posts. I am new (obviously) to the diesel runability game and all of your help has been priceless. I'm going to try the oil additive to see if it helps my injector problem. One last question, is there any new "flashes" that I should have done to my truck and what does Ford charge to do this? (Approximately) Thanks again guys for all of your help.