FordExcursions.com Forums
PJDAD
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• Manchester, NH, USA |
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• Registered on 11/10/2003 |
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• 12 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:11/12/2003 20:29 |
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 I'm new to this forum and have only owned my X ('00 Limited PSD) for about 8 months. This site is great! Very informative....anyway, this is my first time owning a diesel. We just moved to a very cold climate (New Hampshire) and I was wondering what I need to be looking for to make sure it's ready for those sub-zero temps?
Also, any known problems related to cold temperatures anyone knows of? Remedies? Thanks,
Don
Just our suped-up version of the old station wagon!
-Don |
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:11/13/2003 11:51 |
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Welcome Don... while here in DFW we shouldn't have those issues... how about this:
1) Check for a block heater plug to see if you have one
2) a remote start is a NICE feature, especially one that will crank it every few hours if need be....
3) Grill 'blanket' on the fron to limit flow across radiator in exrremes...
but I'll let the ones with the blue appendages give you a little more info 
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Frankenstien
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• Buckley, WA, USA |
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• Registered on 11/9/2003 |
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• 16 posts |
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Posted:11/13/2003 19:36 |
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Block heater is standard on all the 7.3's look on the drivers side of your bumper, next to your tow hooks, or fog lights. |
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Texas4x4
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• Tyler, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/25/2003 |
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• 289 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/14/2003 09:54 |
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3 words: DIESEL FUEL TREATMENT!
Although I have never lived up north or anywhere where it gets really cold, I used to own a Hummer H1 with a Detroit Diesel. Similarly to this forum, Hummer owners have one too and I learned a helluva lot from there. One point was, when it gets cold like it can in New England, diesel fuel can turn into a gel. The treatment is supposed to help prevent that from happening. The block heater is a must, too, but the operative word there is "block". It does nothing for your fuel tank. 
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Kevin Curry
Staff Writer: www.ROCKCRAWLER.com
[email protected]
http://www.texas4x4.com
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PJDAD
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• Manchester, NH, USA |
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• Registered on 11/10/2003 |
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• 12 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/15/2003 19:38 |
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Thanks for the info  . I've already used the block heater this month (temp. in the teens!), but was wondering if there's anything else I need to do to keep it running smoothly in the winter months for the wife and kids (it's her main hauling mobile)? I'll have to check out the fuel treatment to keep the fuel from gelling. Thanks again...
Don
Just our suped-up version of the old station wagon!
-Don |
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,228 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/16/2003 15:07 |
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| Quote: | Thanks for the info . I've already used the block heater this month (temp. in the teens!), but was wondering if there's anything else I need to do to keep it running smoothly in the winter months for the wife and kids (it's her main hauling mobile)? I'll have to check out the fuel treatment to keep the fuel from gelling. Thanks again...
Don |
Another tip to keep in mind and to pass along to your wife...if it is really cold and the X has sat all day (say in the parking lot at work or at the mall...), it's good to cycle the glow plugs 2-3 times before attempting to start. What I mean is you turn the key to the "wait to start" position, when the light turns off, turn the key back to the off position, then again to "wait to start". I do this frequently in the winter months here in MN when we get into the sub-zero temps. Helps a lot to get the beast running.
I haven't run any fuel treatment but will probably test some stuff out this year. I always carry an extension cord in my X just in case. A diesel that doesn't start is not a very fun experience!!
Just be sure that if you travel anywhere south and make your way back north that you have enough treated diesel in your tank. In the southern states they tend to run diesel #2 year round. I ran into this issue when I travelled south last winter. The X gets such great mileage that I get about 700-800 miles per tank, so you can drive quite a ways on diesel #2 and potentially forget about it. Just keep this in mind.
Also do what you can to keep as much fuel in the tank if the X is going to sit a while in cold temps so that the fuel is less susceptible to gelling. I typically fill my tank back up when it hits 1/4 full.
Just a few tips from a diesel driver in MN. 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Douglas Dircks
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• New Richland, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 11/13/2003 |
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• 118 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/16/2003 18:55 |
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Now that it's getting cold I'd put #1 fuel in her as much as possible. Also plugging it in will help a lot too. Never heard of warming the plugs two or three times prior to firing, sounds like a good idea. Just don't wait over two minutes after the light goes out! Some people I talk to with the 7.3's never wait for the glow plug light, they usuall have glow plug relay and glow plug problems.
When it gets cold, also here in MN I always let the rig idle for a few minutes before taking off. It's good for the motor and tranny. My first winter of owning my 99PSD I never plugged it in once and never had a starting problem. A remote starter is a very nice thing to have, favorite add on for the truck. Now my wifes wants it in her PSD X! Last winter in northern MN (20below overnight) with number two fuel, not plugged in the, truck took several hours to finally fire over.
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 PSD 265/75/16 Ravo's Centerline rims Python 871XP
99 F250 x-cab short bed XLT 4x4 PSD 295/75/16 American Racing rims Viper 550 ESP stainless steel MAAP nerf bars Putco four piece grill inserts bumper poles and mud flaps air bags triple pillar pod Autometer Ultra Light fiberglass tannue cover and topper programmed pcm pulling 22 psi
99 F350 crew cab long bed drw Lariat 4x4 PSD 255/85/16 Python 871XP AIS fold down fifth wheel ball |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,228 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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VegasTruckin
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• Las Vegas, NV, USA |
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• Registered on 11/19/2003 |
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• 7 posts |
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Posted:11/19/2003 23:47 |
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I live in Las Vegas which is not really known for its extreme cold temperatures, but I did notice a better cold start-up condition after I put Amsoil 5w-30 Diesel oil in. It still smokes white upon start up, but I have yet to have to try to start it a second time in succession this season, whereas last winter it seemed that I would have to coax the truck a bit more and sometimes run through the key cycle a few times. I have also been using fuel additive to keep the best cetane value that I can. I know it is not exactly east coast cold here in the high desert, but I did notice a difference with the synthetic oils. My 2 cents. |
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PJDAD
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• Manchester, NH, USA |
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• Registered on 11/10/2003 |
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• 12 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/24/2003 22:22 |
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Thanks to all for the advice... 
Eric, I didn't quite understand the reason you carry an extension cord with you. Is it to warm the block up to help it start if you let it sit in a parking lot too long? Thanks again,
Don
Just our suped-up version of the old station wagon!
-Don |
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