billandcap
Heading to Yellowstone!
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Joined: 11/30/2007
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This winter we may find ourselves working in Yellowstone National Park. We will put our 5th wheel in storage in a warmer climate and take advantage of the employee housing offered. However, we will need to use our Ford F350 diesel truck. I've heard that you have to take precautions with diesels in really cold weather. Can any of you cold-weather-experienced folks offer any suggestions? BTW, we do have a block heater, although we have never had to use it. Keep in mind, we've spent the past 14 winters in Florida.
Thanks in advance,
Cathy
2004 Arctic Fox 29-5E
2006 Ford F350 4x4 Dually
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JFG
TN
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Joined: 07/01/2007
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The old problem with diesels in cold weather was fuel gelling. Today, additives are added to diesel fuels to prevent gelling down to -22 degrees. Diesels do contain more motor oil than gassers so a block heater is desirable for uses below 0. Your 350 will do fine.
Fred
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SkiDood
Peoples Republic of Minnesota
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Joined: 10/18/2002
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Plug it in and maybee get a cold air front. Otherwise your good to go.
Late model wife
2002 Daughter
2005 Daughter
2007 Ram 3500srw 5.9L Cummins Laramie. QC Short bed.
2008 Crossroads Zinger 30RB 5th wheel.
18k Reese signature series slide hitch
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Things you will find,
If you have a weak battery it will fail,
If you have the wrong grade of motor oil, it will not start,
If you leave the radiator uncovered it will not warm up,
If you park for a few minutes and do not leave the motor running it may not start,
Be sure to have the fluids checked and changed as necessary, be sure to block the radiator, and be sure to bring along lots of warm clothes. And your emergency kit!
Donn
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Jarlaxle
New England
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Joined: 11/18/2006
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Nothing. A properly-running modern diesel will light off with no trouble in sub-zero weather.
I would grab a radiator blocker (I find a plastic political campaign yard sign to be perfect) for faster warmup.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
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04superduty
Michigan
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Joined: 08/22/2004
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switch to 5w-40 for the winter, it will help with the cold starts. plug your truck in at night or if you plan on not driving it for a while. it will start when it is cold out but will sound awful at first. i have started my 04 superduty down to 0 when i forgot to plug it in. it had no problem starting but took awhile before it ran on all 8 cylinders, shaking and smoking until it warmed up.
04 F350 6.0PSD/TS EC SB
07 Outback Sydney edition
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8.1 Van
Millstone NJ
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Joined: 03/20/2008
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I used Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 in my last two diesels and never had any cold start problems. With anti-gel and plugging in the block heater you should not have any problems.
FKA PSDExcursion
2002 Chevy Express LS 3500 8.1 155" WB passenger van 3.73 posi (GT4/G80)
41 Ft 2003 Thor Citation 41-ZBSR TT w/ Hensley Arrow
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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Check out the TV show `Ice Road Truckers' where -22 F would be like a summer day. Somehow they keep their trucks running.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 07/03/2005
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Diesel fuel is blended different for Summer and Winter. Winter blend diesel has a much lower gel temperature than summer blend. You may notice a slight reduction in mileage with winter blend.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 210 uprated to 275
Trippe-Lite 1800w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
3- Kyocera 130w solar panels
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
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coargonaut
Denver Metro Area
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Joined: 03/11/2005
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Gosh.....where would find a "plastic political campaign yard sign" this time of year?
Ed
From Denver area
Trailer: 2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900. Yea, I got the ramp room.
Tow Vehicle: 2005 Dodge Ram 2005. Cummins, six speed, Quad Cab and Loooong bed.
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