engine running COLD

[diggla]

ok well I guess ill start this by saying it is -15C here. my truck starts fine but smokes alot while idling. When i start it, it will not warm up even with the high idle on,I leave it run for like a half hour and the temp guage still on C. I drove it into town and back yesterday which is in total a 45 minute drive on the highway and the temp guage is still at C. i do get some heat from the heater. ??? any ideas will help


2002 f350 7.3l turbo diesel. 200k

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Sounds like you need a new thermostat.

 

[diggla]

thanks thats what I thought... Ive never done one in a diesel .. what are they like to replace?

 

[BIG JOE]

ok well I guess ill start this by saying it is -15C here. my truck starts fine but smokes alot while idling. When i start it, it will not warm up even with the high idle on,I leave it run for like a half hour and the temp guage still on C. I drove it into town and back yesterday which is in total a 45 minute drive on the highway and the temp guage is still at C. i do get some heat from the heater. ??? any ideas will help
2002 f350 7.3l turbo diesel. 200k

When you say >Some Heat<, is it Hot heat if you turn the temp knob full right ?

If not, you could need a new thermostat, like TG sez.

If yes, you could need a new Temperature sending unit. Or the gauge has crapped out (unlikely).

When you say >Smokes a lot<, is it Smoke or condensate (steam) (?) from Warm exhaust air meeting -15*C air ?

For starters, I'd replace the Thermostat. (These 7.3s seem to run a bit better with a 203*F thermo's in them. )

After you've done that ? At -15C day time temps and colder at night..? You may need a Grill/Radiator bra to cut the air flow some.

Then the sending unit.

 

[RoyBoy]

I'd cover the front of your radiator first. At -15 around here we can cover pretty much ALL of the rad with cardboard (directly on the radiator core) when running empty or towing light and still run a bit on the cool side... the 203° thermostat would help, I just hope you got a warm place to do it

edit- Just realized you are talking degrees C not F

 

[diggla]

I'd cover the front of your radiator first. At -15 around here we can cover pretty much ALL of the rad with cardboard (directly on the radiator core) when running empty or towing light and still run a bit on the cool side... the 203° thermostat would help, I just hope you got a warm place to do it

edit- Just realized you are talking degrees C not F

yeah good idea ill be putting cardboard on it for sure...
jeez winter really snuck up on me haha..... what kind of oil would you suggest.. this is just the start of winter but temps here can go to -40C in mid winter and i work in the oil patch so im driving all the time

 

[diggla]

When you say >Some Heat<, is it Hot heat if you turn the temp knob full right ?

If not, you could need a new thermostat, like TG sez.

If yes, you could need a new Temperature sending unit. Or the gauge has crapped out (unlikely).

When you say >Smokes a lot<, is it Smoke or condensate (steam) (?) from Warm exhaust air meeting -15*C air ?

For starters, I'd replace the Thermostat. (These 7.3s seem to run a bit better with a 203*F thermo's in them. )

After you've done that ? At -15C day time temps and colder at night..? You may need a Grill/Radiator bra to cut the air flow some.

Then the sending unit.

well i get heat when im driving at highway speed . .i wouldnt say Hot but its warm

the smoke seems to be alot of 'steam' but it is really blue..almost as if its running rich

yeah -15c day and colder at nights

ill be getting one of those thermostats today for sure.. and covering the rad

 

[RoyBoy]

yeah good idea ill be putting cardboard on it for sure...
jeez winter really snuck up on me haha..... what kind of oil would you suggest.. this is just the start of winter but temps here can go to -40C in mid winter and i work in the oil patch so im driving all the time

Both my brother and I are running Schaeffers 9000 5-40 full synthetic. Bro has a 03 7.3 and I have the 6.0, I'm happy with it, cold starts are good and the oil samples keep coming back better

 

[diggla]

Both my brother and I are running Schaeffers 9000 5-40 full synthetic. Bro has a 03 7.3 and I have the 6.0, I'm happy with it, cold starts are good and the oil samples keep coming back better

cool thanks for the replys.. ill be putting synthetic in my next change which is soon.....


[whats all involved in changing the thermostat on these things??. its a 2002 7.3]

 

[pete37922]

i use Amsoil 5w-40 in my 6.0L Powerstroke !!!