How will my new F350 behave in cold temps?

[way2roll]

I have a new F350 with the 6.7l turbo diesel. Here in NC it never gets cold enough for me to be concerned, but we may be travelling north after the holidays. Temps where we are going can get into the teens at night. My truck does not have the optional block heater. From what I read, these trucks behave OK until below zero. Do I need to be concerned? What about fuel gelling? Sorry if these seem like silly questions, the manual isn't as helpful as I like and frankly I find real world experience more helpful. I've owned diesel tractors and treated the fuel in winter but they had glow plugs etc but my experience with this type of engine is limited. Thanks.

[way2roll]

OP here, again thanks for all the great responses. I keep trucks forever, my last F150 was 13 yrs old with almost 250k on it when I finally had to call it a day. Technology has advanced a lot since them, This new truck is pretty amazing and seems to do everything for you. Per the manual the glow plugs are automatic. Sensors determine if they are needed and for how long and the engine goes into pending start mode until it's ready to crank. I'll have to look into the block heater but frankly as little as we travel in the cold and it's not really frigid it sounds like I won't really need it. Pulling the FW we usually arrive in MD with about a half a tank of fuel, so I can get fuel once we arrive and have a half a tank of blended. I'll top off the DEF before we leave.

Anyway, thanks again all. Lots of what I learn on these forums can't be found in a manual and it's very valuable.

[JRscooby]

NRALIFR wrote:


OK, Mr. Nitpicker :W how about “All Diesels have some type of pre-heat system”?

:):)

I would still take issue with that statement. But I bought starting fluid by the case for decades. Of course, I used it for a lot of things besides starting the engines.
Don't use starting fluid with newer engines. Even if the heater doesn't work well enough to heat the airstream, can light the fluid get exciting.
Nowadays a little heat on the manifold is all that is needed. No longer have a issue with the oil so thick it won't let engine crank.
My first 1693 Cat, I had old car hood next to where I would shut it off at home. Dump a bag of charcoal on hood, soak with lighter fluid. When flames go away, shove under engine. A capsule of ether, (remember them?) then crank it up.
Pony motors? Ever fight with a series/parallel switch so the starter could run on 24V? Another thing that I don't understand why it fell out of favor was the air starter.

[fishhogg]

I can remember using a stove pipe w/ 90 deg end, propane weed burner and a piece of canvas to cover the entire engine to preheat here in Alaska on large trucks. And when we flew out to the bush we would drain the oil and pull the battery and reinstall to fly home. Some of the old Cummins engines had a compression release in cab, give a shot of starting fluid, run around pull compression release get engine turning over, release lever and away you Go. On our Ford pickups we drive out to our cabin, sometime staying for a week in -20 deg and have no problem starting with senthetic blend oil and good battery's. No electricity to plug in!

[pianotuna]

Hi,

You may wish to cycle the glow plugs twice.

i.e. turn on key and wait

then turn key off

then turn key on and wait--and start

There are magnetic "stick on" block heaters. I have one for my generator for truly cold weather.

[free_radical]

New diesels start easy in any cold
as long as you have good battery and winter blend diesel

I remember younger days in place far away,
when we had air cooled diesels and if you had no ether spray,guys just set a bunch of newspaper alite and toss into intake to warm it up.

https://youtu.be/BO3JWP8BzeQ

[spoon059]

You'll be fine. You might want to cycle your glow plugs twice if its REALLY cold, but it'll start fine. It'll be noisy for a couple seconds, but it'll tone down pretty quick. I have a block heater, but only turn it on if I know I have to drive first thing in a cold morning. That's more for my personal comfort than any "need" of the truck.

[blt2ski]

The pre hear for diesels, reminded me my step dad's Sabb in his boat ha a cover plate yo removed, stuck a lit match or cigarette in it to heat the chamber up. This was a single cyl about 8-10hp.

Marty

[camp-n-family]

In colder temps you may want to consider a grill cover. Mine came with one new. Helps the engine warm quicker and stay warm.

[ssthrd]

Edd505 wrote:

ssthrd wrote:

RAS43 wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:
Just out of curiosity, how did the diesels without pre-heat systems get started in the winter?
:):)

Had to spray ether into the intake while cranking. Some engines had an ether system installed on the engine with a switch on the dash. Boy, that brings up a lot of memories of dealing with diesels in cold weather. :E

Ya beat me to it. yep--enclosures and a big industrial heater to get the oil warm in the oilpan. Those were the days! Lol

You forgot the pony motors to roll the diesel while spraying

Oh yeah. forgot about those.............. Haha.

[Edd505]

ssthrd wrote:

RAS43 wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:
Just out of curiosity, how did the diesels without pre-heat systems get started in the winter?
:):)

Had to spray ether into the intake while cranking. Some engines had an ether system installed on the engine with a switch on the dash. Boy, that brings up a lot of memories of dealing with diesels in cold weather. :E

Ya beat me to it. yep--enclosures and a big industrial heater to get the oil warm in the oilpan. Those were the days! Lol

You forgot the pony motors to roll the diesel while spraying

[Edd505]

IdaD wrote:
Teen temps are no issue. Generally when you travel to areas that need winter blend diesel, the stations have winter blend diesel. For your glow plugs, just turn your ignition to run until the light goes off and then start it up.

6.7 glow plugs
Mechanic says they will kick in when needed.

[mich800]

ssthrd wrote:
What about our beloved DEF and the tank? Does the OP and others (me) need to worry about it in temps below freezing?

They have heaters for the DEF. No issues, the manufactures have designed them for freezing temps.

[ssthrd]

What about our beloved DEF and the tank? Does the OP and others (me) need to worry about it in temps below freezing?

[ssthrd]

RAS43 wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:
Just out of curiosity, how did the diesels without pre-heat systems get started in the winter?
:):)

Had to spray ether into the intake while cranking. Some engines had an ether system installed on the engine with a switch on the dash. Boy, that brings up a lot of memories of dealing with diesels in cold weather. :E

Ya beat me to it. yep--enclosures and a big industrial heater to get the oil warm in the oilpan. Those were the days! Lol

[ssthrd]

"Just out of curiosity, how did the diesels without pre-heat systems get started in the winter?"

A shot of ether usually worked for me in older excavators/dozers etc, but I'm not sure I'd try it in a newer machine/truck.