Diesel in Cold Weather...non Valk

[DIGGER]

Im going from Houston to Red River NM in my 2013 F250 6.7 Diesel.  If i cant find a place to plug in my block heater will I have a problem starting my diesel engine in -5 predicted mornings there?

[cookiedough]

doubt it as long as driven daily and battery decent.  I let my newer 4 year old truck sit in WI winter temps not driven for 1 month and battery dead not start, but if driven daily would not have happened.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

If you are running 15w40 in the engine, you may want to change it out to a Diesel rated 10w30. That made much more of a difference in cold engine cranking speed than I ever imagined it would in my old 7.3 Powerstroke. That, and a really good cold weather fuel additive to prevent gelling. As I sell Amsoil products, this is what I would run if it were me heading somewhere that cold.   https://www.amsoil.com/p/diesel-cold-flow-add/?zo=5889580     

That said, I don't badmouth other products. Stanadyne makes a decent additive called Performance Formula that you can buy at most Tractor Supply stores.

The 6.7 still has glow plugs. They operate MUCH faster than the old ones, so I honestly wouldn't worry much. On my old truck, I would cycle the key twice; wait for the "wait to start" light to go out and then do it again. You shouldn't need to do anything like that. The ECU operates the glow plugs on your truck, and they hit 1500 degrees in about 3 seconds.

As long as the battery/batteries aren't suspect and the fuel is treated, I wouldn't foresee any problems.

[DIGGER]

Thanks for the info

[scooperhsd]

I'd reccomend using a 5w40 - Shell Rotella T6 is very good, and Mobil's Delvac 5w40 is also good. This also depends on what your owner's manual says.

More than just oil - if you are going to somewhere much colder than Houston , (Red River NM probably is) it is important to fill up with LOCAL fuel before shutting down for the night. A good battery is also essential

I've been driving diesel since 2003 (2000 VW New Beetle, 2015 VW Golf), and I've never had problems starting my vehicles following these 3 rules. My Beetle started last winter in -2 - -5 F - and it has an issue with one of my glowplugs. A review of your owner's manual on cold weather operation is in order.  VW diesels were tested in -30 and colder in AK and Canada and they didn't have any real troubles as long as you follow the 3 rules ( and this is without block heaters). My Beetle can literally go from Jacksonville FL to north of DC on ONE tank (600+ miles range), and I would be damn sure to fill it with local fuel before going to bed. Going from colder to warmer - this isn't as important.

You might consider a car jumping pack if this is going to be a regular thing, but with a good battery it shouldn't be necessary. You might make a stop at a local truck stop and see what products they have and read the instructions on proper use. I've used Power Service products (White for Winter), and they have a product called Diesel 911 for use only when your fuel has gelled ( I've never had to use this, because I follow the 3 rules). The concern with local fuel centers around fuel gelling and the prevention of it.

Block heaters shouldn't be required on modern diesels, but they can be nice to have. They make the oil not as thick, and you can have heat in the cab sooner. Electric heated seats are a GOOD THING on diesel vehicles .

[F6BANGER]

Your truck should have 2 batteries. If they are older, check to see if they hold a charge well. It also depends oh the condition of your glow plugs. Just make sure you let the glow plug light goes out and then turn off ignition and turn on ignition til the glow plug light goes out again to make sure cylinder is hot.  Your engine should fire up. Bring a long extension cord just in case. A heavier gage cord is better than a 16g cheapie. Good luck and enjoy Red River. It is beautiful up there.

[Rams]

Your truck should have 2 batteries. If they are older, check to see if they hold a charge well. It also depends oh the condition of your glow plugs. Just make sure you let the glow plug light goes out and then turn off ignition and turn on ignition til the glow plug light goes out again to make sure cylinder is hot.  Your engine should fire up. Bring a long extension cord just in case. A heavier gage cord is better than a 16g cheapie. Good luck and enjoy Red River. It is beautiful up there.

I agree with all of the above.   Been driving diesel about 40 years but, it never hurts to have a spray can of starting fluid available (just in case).  It is a Ford were talking about ya know. 

Rams

[scooperhsd]

There is no safe way for me to use starting fluid in my vehicles, so that option is out. That said, I've never been tempted to try it. Good battery, good diesel rated oil, and local diesel fuel is all I normally need to think about for cold weather starting.

[Rams]

There is no safe way for me to use starting fluid in my vehicles, so that option is out. That said, I've never been tempted to try it. Good battery, good diesel rated oil, and local diesel fuel is all I normally need to think about for cold weather starting.

Never needed to use starting fluid on my Cummins but, I've been around a lot of folks (Ford owners) who keep it handy.  Mostly Old Diesel Engine owners/operators, the newer engines with good batteries are much better.   I agree with the good battery comments.   The Golden Rule to remember about starting fluid is, a little goes along way.   I have used starting fluid on my previous Ford tractor but, that's a different engine entirely but that Golden Rule still applies.

Rams

[Hook#3287]

My Skytrak lift has a Ford tractor diesel.  If I plug her in a few hours before a cold start, she starts right up. If not plugged in under 40f, she needs a little help from the can.

My semi-retired 03 Dodge Cummings starts right up after pre-start cycle and has never seen a ether can.

[F6BANGER]

My semi-retired 03 Dodge Cummings starts right up after pre-start cycle and has never seen a ether can.

If my rememberer works correctly, the cummins doesnt have glow plugs. It has a heat box or something like that.

[Avanti]

My drivers are three diesel cars, a diesel one ton truck and Valkyrie all over twenty years old. All start in cold Wisconsin weather. Buy a good diesel and maintain it and it will run and run and run.

Diesels require good batteries, good glow plugs, properly cared for fuel systems and appropriate crankcase oil for cold weather starting.

[Rams]

My drivers are three diesel cars, a diesel one ton truck and Valkyrie all over twenty years old. All start in cold Wisconsin weather. Buy a good diesel and maintain it and it will run and run and run.

Diesels require good batteries, good glow plugs, properly cared for fuel systems and appropriate crankcase oil for cold weather starting.

Agreed.   Never had an issue with any of my Cummins trucks, the last three were all over 325K miles when they left me. 

Rams   

[carolinarider09]

I read this thread and sort of found it interesting but since I did not or do not drive a diesel car or truck, I figured it was just some information. 

I forgot all about the 1996 Massey Ferguson tractor I have.  Since we finished the house and the land has been cleared as needed we have not use it much.   But it is a diesel.  And I do have a need for it this coming week. 

So,  this thread does apply to me. 

I do keep the battery on a tender and when I start it in cold weather, I do use the glow plugs prior to starting.  Nothing else is really different than when I first got it. 

Thanks. 

[Rams]

I read this thread and sort of found it interesting but since I did not or do not drive a diesel car or truck, I figured it was just some information. 

I forgot all about the 1996 Massey Ferguson tractor I have.  Since we finished the house and the land has been cleared as needed we have not use it much.   But it is a diesel.  And I do have a need for it this coming week. 

So,  this thread does apply to me. 

I do keep the battery on a tender and when I start it in cold weather, I do use the glow plugs prior to starting.  Nothing else is really different than when I first got it. 

Thanks. 

Heck Yeah.   I love my diesels.   In fact, trying to justify trading in my gas Zero Turn mower for a diesel version but, that's been a challenge.   $$$ wise, the gas version runs just fine. 

Rams

[0leman]

My 2013 Ram diesel had no problem starting up in zero-degree temps.  It sat outside and enjoyed the snowy and cold weather for several years before I traded it in.  I did give it a bit more time to do the startup before turning the key to start.  Yes, it had two batteries as most of the diesel did during that period.  No, I didn't plug it in, though it had the setup for hooking it up.  My son-in-law who lives a block down the road from me, drives a 2017 Ram diesel, has no problems starting up.   

Our temps in the morning range from below zero to around 20 first thing in the mornings. 

[DIGGER]

I had the heater put in before I left.  Here at Red River the codo we are in has a receptacle right by my truck....a Ford 6.7 diesel.   I looked around and dont see any other diesels plugged in to 110v.   However it sure is nice to get in my truck and crankup and have instant warm air coming out of the air vents.

[scooperhsd]

On my VW diesels - there is no provision for a "block heater". If you want to warm it, what people do is install a Frost heater - a coolant heater that uses natural circulation to accomplish the same thing. Which is why a VW diesel driver follows the 3 rules - good battery, a 5wsomething diesel rated oil, and fresh local diesel fuel.

[Rams]

I looked around and dont see any other diesels plugged in to 110v.   However it sure is nice to get in my truck and crankup and have instant warm air coming out of the air vents.

   Don't care what you're driving (even with heated seats) having instant warm air is delightful in the colder climates.   Good for you!!

Rams

[carolinarider09]

Today was the day I decided to take down the Nativity Scene I had purchased and erected before Christmas.

I decided I would use the re-floored trailer and the Massey Ferguson tractor.  The tractor, a diesel, had not been run for some time and I figured it was time for a run.

I did not check much since it was parked in a covered area and there were no strange "fluids" under it.  Usually when I start if after it has sit for a while and especially when its cold, I used the glow plugs.  But, because of this conversation, I decided not to. 

Turned the key and let it crank for 10 seconds or so.  Did not start.  Tried again, still no start.  So, I turned the key to the left and, after about five seconds, the glow plug light came on and I started the engine.  No issues, except for an idle problem.  Had to push the speed control lever to lower the engine speed and after some movement of the throttle, the engine tachometer steadied up and I move the throttle and returned the engine speed to the green band. 

That was the only issue.   I really like this tractor.  I need to use it more often.  I should have put turf tires on instated of the AG tires it has when I replaced them but....

The Nativity scene



And the tractor and trailer prior to loading. 

[Rams]

I should have put turf tires on instated of the AG tires it has when I replaced them but....

Tractor tires last one heck of a long time so replacing them before they give out is always expensive.   I had turf tires on my Ford diesel tractor I sold a couple years ago and they were great for yard work where you don't want to cut up the grass/soil periodically but have very limited traction in wet or field conditions.   I've also had tractors with AG tires and they are great for dirt work but usually leave cuts in a yard but are great for the field.

When I bought my new tractor (a Kubota), I got HST transmission/4WD with Industrial tires.   They are a cross between turf and AG.   Still provide traction in a field environment (though not as aggressive as AG tires) and yet, don't cut up my lawn.   Some time in the future (a long time from now) when you eventually need tires, consider the Industrial versions.  

Rams

[carolinarider09]

 Some time in the future (a long time from now) when you eventually need tires, consider the Industrial versions.  

Rams

Will do.. I knew that the turf tires were limited in traction.  Nice to know there is an in-between. 

[Avanti]

One of my cars has a small diesel boiler that starts with a timer. The heater heats the engine block and runs the cabin heat which I set on defrost. Only car in the parking lot with no snow on the windows. Put it on my wife’s car back in the late 80’s. Always got out of work at midnight and into a warm car.

[DIGGER]

One of my cars has a small diesel boiler that starts with a timer. The heater heats the engine block and runs the cabin heat which I set on defrost. Only car in the parking lot with no snow on the windows. Put it on my wife’s car back in the late 80’s. Always got out of work at midnight and into a warm car.

That'll work.....

[cookiedough]

speaking of good batteries needed,  I finally bit the bullet and bought a new AGM 750CCA battery for my sonata H6 48 series since had it tested recently was down to 480CCA's and under zero degrees might not fire sonata car over.    Battery is OEM since 2014 so 10 years old and 128K miles on it so was time. Noticed 4-5 days last winter would crank the key for like 5 seconds before firing up, so that is not good on starter am sure right? 

One thing I was shocked was the price of NEW batteries now is absurd.  I found cheapest one at Costco 170 bucks, the rest are 230 to 250 bucks for same AGM sized battery car came with originally.  WOW.  All places I visited told me do NOT expect any of the batteries buying now to last 10 years again they make internals cheap lucky get 4-5 years out of them nowadays. 

Just in time now for single digit temps coming up here in WI and supposedly 5-6 inches of snow coming for this Tuesday.  LOVELY!  Fired up snowblower just making sure it starts since anything over 3 inches I now use the snowblower am getting old and lazy and weaker.

[scooperhsd]

Yeah - 3-6 inches snow by Tuesday evening, -1 -  1 (temp )by the weekend.