FordExcursions.com Forums
Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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 Posted:1/14/2004 11:24 |
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Hey you cold weather guys, I just got a sweet '01 PSD X a month ago. Took it up to eastern shore Maryland for a goose hunt recently, during a cold snap. Got up to drive over to the goose pits and she was hard to start. Made a few false starts in which the engine reved up twice then promply shut down. After about three of these, she fired right up. The temp was about +8 F with a howling wind and I forgot to plug her in the previous night (in fact it took me forever to FIND the damn plug)! I just left her run during the short 1.5 hour goose hunt, then drove her back to NC without further problems. Back in NC that night, it got down to about +11 F and I DID plug her in, and next morning she fired right up.
Question #1: Do you think that it would have started much easier on that +8 F night had I plugged her in? Does that 'revving false start' sound normal in such temps?
Question #2: At what temp do y'all usually start thinking about plugging in the block heater?
Question #3: What's this I hear about fuel 'gelling'?...and at what temp does that present itself?
Thx Much!
Bob
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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Don Murray
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• Bridgewater, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2004 |
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• 128 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:1/16/2004 07:14 |
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Charles,
Sorry for not seeing this earlier. First step, did you add an anti gel to the fuel? This would help the truck to cold start and will stop the fuel from gelling to some degree. Most problems lay where the fuel actually binds (forms ice crystals) in the fuel filter and the fuel can get to the engine.
At this point you are very lucky you weren’t stranded with your geese.
I plug my truck in under 30 degrees. I'm a wimp and like heat immediately so I'm religious in plugging in.
At 8 degrees let the glow plugs warm up completely, some folks cycle the plugs twice before starting.
Happy hunting!
By the way, the best anti gel for the money is Diesel Kleen (white bottle) found at Walmart. Next fuel fill dump a 32 oz bottle in the 44 gal tank and you'll be good down to -25 degress and the additive will enhance better starting. from then just 16 oz for 40 gallons.
Don
aKa The TRACTOR
Smokem' if you can!!!! |
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Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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Posted:1/16/2004 07:34 |
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Thanks Don!
I'll get that stuff from Walmart today and plan on plugging her in under 30F, however we really rarely get under 10F in Raleigh, but this winter has seen some of those 'cooler' nights.
I take two of my kids to school every morning and they REQUIRE me to warm the X up before they get in, so I go out about 15 minutes before leaving and fire her up - besides I like to hear her growl a little. Ya know how we NC folks are..can't take too much cold!
Thanks for the help!
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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Don Murray
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• Bridgewater, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2004 |
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• 128 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:1/16/2004 08:00 |
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I pass through NC with my X for a short time while in route to the outerbanks with my boat. I do some fishing down there in the !!!WARMER!!! somer months and love the area.
I feel your pain when cold, but we have you beat. Last night 1 degree with windchill -20 below. Not getting above 12 degrees today.
Don
aKa The TRACTOR
Smokem' if you can!!!! |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:3/30/2004 15:39 |
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Gracious. only 8 deg F.
Well I'll let you guys do the conversions.
As a general rule, the heater block will help a lot
10w30 oil change is in order and makes a big difference.
I find that -16 deg C is the turning point for an oil change. I think -14C is about 0 Deg F.
Do let your glow plugs do their thing.
Other than that, unless you are going way down around -30 C or so, fuel gell is not a problem.
The 7.3L PSD starts very well in cold weather if you treat it right. follow your owners manual religiously about what oil to use in what temperature range.
If you have water in your diesel, thats a big NO NO
Dave  |
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