Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 188
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From: waterford nj
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
What is the coldest regular starting possible without the block heater assisting?
I'd like to hear from some Canadian or Alaskan drivers who don't alway's have access to a plug-in.
I have had a few struggling starts at around 8 degrees at my buddy's deer camp in northern Pa. back in November and I am going up there this weekend for some snowmobiling.
I am having second thoughts about taking the PSD and might take my 97 gasser instead.There is no access to electricity where we have to keep the trucks, access to the cabin is by snowmobile or quad.
I really don't want to do that since I bought the Crew Cab for these kind of trips.
I tried the double cycling of the glow plug trick in November but I didn't notice much improvement.
At home in S. Jersey we have been having alot of nights at 12-18 degrees and it starts fine without plugging in. I usually plug it in though if the forecast is for less than 20 overnight.
Any input will be appreciated as I am leaving tommorrow night.
Thanks.
I'd like to hear from some Canadian or Alaskan drivers who don't alway's have access to a plug-in.
I have had a few struggling starts at around 8 degrees at my buddy's deer camp in northern Pa. back in November and I am going up there this weekend for some snowmobiling.
I am having second thoughts about taking the PSD and might take my 97 gasser instead.There is no access to electricity where we have to keep the trucks, access to the cabin is by snowmobile or quad.
I really don't want to do that since I bought the Crew Cab for these kind of trips.
I tried the double cycling of the glow plug trick in November but I didn't notice much improvement.
At home in S. Jersey we have been having alot of nights at 12-18 degrees and it starts fine without plugging in. I usually plug it in though if the forecast is for less than 20 overnight.
Any input will be appreciated as I am leaving tommorrow night.
Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 713
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From: C H I C A G O
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
The one time my truck wouldn't start , it was around 4 outside. Seems as if the temp is 10 or higher , my truck starts fine without being plugged in. Even when it doesn't want to start on the first try , it will start eventually , just need to keep on cycling those glow plugs and it will start....
JoeBoost
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"Chicago Winters Suck !!"
JoeBoost
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"Chicago Winters Suck !!"
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 69
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Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
What kind of motor oil are you using? The lower the pour point of the oil, the easier it's gonna be to reach the critical crank speed to start the engine in frigid temps.
Even with the block heater plugged in, the oil in the sump is still going to be cold, as heat rises.
I could get my '97 PSD with bad glow plug relay started in cold temps by repeatedly cycling the glow plugs. Those relays see alot of current, that's probably something that could be checked to see if it needs replacing. After I replaced mine, it started up after the "wait to start" light went out in cold weather.
Even with the block heater plugged in, the oil in the sump is still going to be cold, as heat rises.
I could get my '97 PSD with bad glow plug relay started in cold temps by repeatedly cycling the glow plugs. Those relays see alot of current, that's probably something that could be checked to see if it needs replacing. After I replaced mine, it started up after the "wait to start" light went out in cold weather.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 63
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From: Orange County, NY
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
I regularly make trips to the Oswego, NY area where the temps regularly go below zero and no plug-in available where I stay. To prepare for these conditions I currently run Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic (API CH-4 as required by Ford) and also use Power Service fuel supplement w/cetane boost as additional insurance against fuel gelling/filter icing. (WallMart) I also drain the fuel filter/water separator before the trips in case any water has accumulated. After cycling the glow plugs once, it stumbles and smokes a little but smooths out shortly with no problems. The sleds are harder to start than the PSD!
Hope this helps...Happy sledding...lots of snow headed that way this weekend...
Hope this helps...Happy sledding...lots of snow headed that way this weekend...
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 713
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From: C H I C A G O
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
Cycling the glow plugs always has worked for me when my truck doesnt wanna start on the first try...I also changed my factory batterys over to Optima Yellow top deep cycle units , and have noticed the truck starts allot easier......
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Senior User
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From: waterford nj
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
Thanks for the input.
I don't have time to dump my 15w40 but I did buy a quart of the Power Service additive at Walmart tonight .
I am going to add half the bottle to a full tank before I leave tomorrow night.
The lows tomorrow night are supposed to be around 0-5 degrees around Sullivan County Pa. where I am headed but by Monday morning when I have to head back, the lows are supposed to be in the teens.
Next winter I am going to switch to 10w30 in late November so I am better able to handle these "real" winters that we haven't had for awhile.
Thanks again.
Scott
I don't have time to dump my 15w40 but I did buy a quart of the Power Service additive at Walmart tonight .
I am going to add half the bottle to a full tank before I leave tomorrow night.
The lows tomorrow night are supposed to be around 0-5 degrees around Sullivan County Pa. where I am headed but by Monday morning when I have to head back, the lows are supposed to be in the teens.
Next winter I am going to switch to 10w30 in late November so I am better able to handle these "real" winters that we haven't had for awhile.
Thanks again.
Scott
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 35
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From: BC Canada
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
Hi:
You could try using 0-40 oil in the winter Esso puts it out works great for are Canadain winters, Have started my trucks at -29 below C, also maybe use some anti gel winter fuel conditioner. I do run my glow plugs twice befor starting on really cold days.
You could try using 0-40 oil in the winter Esso puts it out works great for are Canadain winters, Have started my trucks at -29 below C, also maybe use some anti gel winter fuel conditioner. I do run my glow plugs twice befor starting on really cold days.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
I've started my '99 F350 at -10 F with a single glow plug cycle. I also use 10W30 and fuel additive in the winters.
I am also an avid sledder, and on trips where I can't plug in, I start the truck and bring it to operating temp every day. The only times I've had problems is when it sits in frigid cold for a week w/o being started.
It goes w/o saying to not use ether with glow plugs.
Good luck!
I am also an avid sledder, and on trips where I can't plug in, I start the truck and bring it to operating temp every day. The only times I've had problems is when it sits in frigid cold for a week w/o being started.
It goes w/o saying to not use ether with glow plugs.
Good luck!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
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From: East Hampton, NY
Coldest Start Possible without Plug-in?
Was in VT last weekend and it was pretty chilly (-20F at night). Left the truck in the lot at work all day (7:30-4:30). Didn't get much above zero that day. Cycled plugs twice, and on the third try, it finally started. It went through the whole loaping thing, and I finally know what the "dead pedal" is, but it started. I was running 15w40 and have and anti-gel...additive in the fuel.
If the lows where your going are in the teens, you should be fine.
-SMB
If the lows where your going are in the teens, you should be fine.
-SMB