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Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start??

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Starting Fluid

02-11-2007 16:04:42

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Friend has a 2006 F-250 Diesel powered truck which won't start unless it's 20 degrees or above....unless plugged in for a few hours...is this the norm for diesels??
How low a temp will some of your diesel trucks start at without being plugged in??

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KBird

02-18-2007 05:49:02

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

We had a dodge ram and it never hd to be plugged in.

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Leland

02-12-2007 19:02:55

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

try turning the key on and off a few more times to cycle glow plugs this helps in severe cold .

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Rick in Michigan

02-12-2007 10:07:46

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My 2006 6.0 Powerstroke starts just fine - it"s been -20 several mornings recently and I don"t plug it in. Turn the key to on, wait for the glowplug light to go out and it starts right up. He should get that truck into the dealership before something expensive happens to it.

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beperson83

02-12-2007 08:51:14

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My '05 cummins starts below zero. I live in wisconsin and its been -15 out and it started right up

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kmcampbe

02-12-2007 06:47:26

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I've got a 06 Duramax and it'll start well below 0 degrees with out plugging it in....

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Kent in KC

02-12-2007 05:59:44

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My only diesel, an old Case 580K backhoe, starts without a heater in any weather so far and its been below zero a few times. Just a shot of ether. I'm impressed.

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nickg

02-12-2007 05:37:05

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I always have kept all my diesels plugged in. It's easier on the engine. I have had 3 7.3 and now my first 6.0. 6.0 is know where near the engine the 7.3 is. Back to the point . Ford uses a oil sensor that wont let the truck start till oil pressure is high enough. Had that problem one winter. Most likely I would suspect the glow plugs

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Shovelman

02-12-2007 04:19:00

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

Your friend's truck has a problem. Take it back to the dealer and have them check the glow plug controller and the glow plugs as well.

My '05 F-350 with the 6 liter will start in sub-zero weather even without plugging it in.

Scott

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wyod

02-11-2007 20:16:28

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I've owned my 7.3 psd for more than 6 years... starts at minus 20 and colder... I always buy my fuel from a couple of local truck stops who sell blended fuel. I usually don't run fuel conditioner and have never had any problems with gelling.

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jason, NW Ontario

02-11-2007 20:10:04

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

Hey it's stupid cold up here lately. Our '92 F350 doesn't get used for days on end, but we plug it in the night before when we'll use it the next day. It's been in the -30 range, and we've had to use every trick in the book, but it's started. That's running pure synthetic in the winter, cetane boost, anti-gel, speaking in tongues, and sacrificing a rather large chicken.

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Bob

02-11-2007 20:55:46

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to jason, NW Ontario, 02-11-2007 20:10:04

My old 1984 Sub 6.2 diesel is a daily driver. It's been well below -20 here several nights these last couple of weeks. It sits outside, with a single 600 Watt block heater plugged in, and #1 diesel in the tank.

It has NOT failed to start YET.

I have 10-30 dino oil in the engine, and haven't used ANY fuel additives.

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02-11-2007 20:01:23

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

started my 99 Dodge diesel last week, it had been parked outside for 7 hours in -35C weather after a journey of 15 miles... it started first flick of the key after only one cycle of the glow plugs (block heater and oil pan heater were NOT on) but it didn't want to run on more than two or three cyclinders at idle, so i drove it for two miles or so and then it idled fine. mind you i run 0-40 full synthetic engine oil and that helps lots. lots of white smoke though when it's cold.

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Unimog

02-11-2007 19:39:48

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I can start my Unimog OM352 6 cyl at zero with no
glow plugs or other starting aid but I usually
don't. Just seems better to plug in the tank
heater for an hour or so. I think it saves the
starter, battery, etc.

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Doug in IL

02-11-2007 19:38:02

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My '97 Dodge has started at 21 below. It was nearly new then. But, 10 miles down the road, she gelled up.

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ejr-IA.

02-11-2007 19:31:34

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

2000 dodge orignal batteries -7 not pluged in cycled the heater twice fired up smoked a little then smothed out.

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Wayne_In_Illinois

02-11-2007 18:53:35

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

The 01 7.3 Powerstroke i use at work will start at 0 or a little below without heater being plugged in as long as the batteries are in top shape!

Had both replaced last week as it was having a problem starting during this cold snap we have been having.The shop said the old battieries tested good.Guess what as soon as they were replaced no more problems.Cranks over a whole bunch quicker as well!
So much for what the shop knows!

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Jim WJ

02-11-2007 18:41:14

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

In the cold weather up here we can usually
get our diesel pickups started down to about 0 deg.F. That is with good batteries, all glow plugs working, and synthetic oil or a synthetic blended oil in them. Another good item to add to the diesel pickups is a coolant heater. such as the [Espar brand heater www.lubricationspecialist.com] or the [Webasto heater www.webastoshowroom.com]. I've installed 3 of the webasto's and they work great especially on the fishing trips to Canada where it may get 25 to 35 below zero deg. F. I hope the web sites I typed above will help. These heaters really help. Jim WJ

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Bob M

02-11-2007 18:27:00

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My '99 F250 starts fine after sitting overnight at 0 deg without being plugged in. So does my neighbor's '05 F250.

But you need GOOD batteries and all 8 glow plugs working to start reliably without a block heater when it gets this cold!

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MN Scott

02-11-2007 18:26:43

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I have started my 2003 Chevy Duramax at -20. It fired right up but smoked alot. A modern glowplug diesel should fire to at least -10. If it dosen't there is somthng wrong or its not worth owning.

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Larry NE IL

02-11-2007 18:22:40

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My '06 Dodge started at 12 below a week ago. After a working life with heavy equipment, if you some aid above 10 degrees, then there is a problem with something....from low compression to bad batteries, but a problem no less.

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NC wayne

02-11-2007 18:21:02

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

Got an 8.5 liter series 50 Detroit in my service truck and it'll usually start OK, with no block heater, into the low thirties. It wouldn't do that good til I started using a higher quality oil, but I've been dogged about telling about the oil I use before so I won't go there. With the ether start system I've got it going into the low twenties, without a heater. I don't like to do this but when working out of town I often have to park too far from a motel, due to the trucks size, and when I can't plug in the ether is a necessity.

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John M

02-11-2007 18:17:21

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

If it wont start that cold, then something just isnt right.First thing I would tell him to do is,since it should still be under warranty, is have the dealer check it out.But my first guess would be the batteries,even though they are fairly new, just one will cause hard starting.

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Steven@AZ f/ND

02-11-2007 17:52:29

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

Brother's 98 12-valve Cummins would start down to about 5 below zero.

Dunno how low he's tried to start his 06 Cummins though.

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kyhayman

02-11-2007 17:27:09

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

If its below 30, my Dodge ('01 Cummins) wont start without being plugged in.

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Davis In SC

02-11-2007 17:44:13

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to kyhayman, 02-11-2007 17:27:09

We seldom get below the low teens, here, but both of my Dodges fire right up. Actually, the old 92 cranks as soon as it spins over. One morning, quite a few years ago, it was 6 degrees.. As an experiment, I hit the switch, without waiting for the pre-heater to work. It started right up.. Other than a few dead batteries,I never had any starting problems.. The only time I ever plug mine in, is if it is well below 20 degrees.

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Jim Johnson

02-11-2007 16:35:03

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I have two 97's no problems. They should start down to O degrees easy enough. Check to see that your selanoid that works the glow plugs is working, I've had to replace a few of those. Jim

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J.T.L.

02-11-2007 16:24:55

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I bought my Dodge new in 91. I have never had to plug in the heater. The lowest temp I ever had to face was 18 below zero. It started right up. Have to admit that the only way I could get any increase in foward speed was to shift to a higher gear, but it got me to work that morning. It was like the governor would not work. Not sure what the cold does to causes those symtoms.

John

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marlowe

02-11-2007 16:22:53

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

have a dodge 2002 and it sat for a week at -10 and as god will tell you it took right it made a bunch of smoke and noise but it started

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Blind Bob

02-11-2007 16:21:37

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

I"ve had several years of experience with starting diesel engines in cold weather but I"m certainly not the last authority.I keep mine plugged in with a 24-hour timer and set it so that it comes on at least 2 hours before I anticipate needing it.If you use a good diesel anti-gel additive it helps.Probably the times I"ve started it without having it plugged in it was somewhere around 20 degrees F when I started having trouble so I don"t think that"s unusual.

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Bob

02-11-2007 16:21:14

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Re: Diesel Truck.....how cold and still start?? in reply to Starting Fluid, 02-11-2007 16:04:42

My old Chevy 6.5 diesel will start easily down to a little below zero without being "plugged in", assuming I've anticipated the cold snap and made sure there is winter fuel in the tank.

Your friend's pickup may have bad glow plugs, or a bad glowplug relay. The glowplug relays have been a common problem on the Powerchokes, and they have come up with updated relays. Has he ever had it checked?

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