Outside Air Temp for plug in

[John S]

I'm looking for my first F250 or F350 diesel for use around Southcentral Alaska. I have to leave my truck parked at the airport for 2-3 weeks at a time quite often. There is NO place to plug it in.

How cold is too cold to start up a 99-02 Ford diesel?

Thanks,
John

PS: By the way awesome site. I've really enjoyed reading the "911 Diesel down" and the final resolutions to bring them back up to operation.

 

[patrickc]

Jhon, I usually start to plug my truck in when the temps start to dip below 0c/32f. I have however been in the same situation and started my truck when temps were -20c/0f and colder. It all depends on the condition of the batteries and glowplugs. A lighter grade of oil in the winter/colder weather also helps. Good Luck on your search for your new truck.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Jhon, I usually start to plug my truck in when the temps start to dip below 0c/32f. I have however been in the same situation and started my truck when temps were -20c/0f and colder. It all depends on the condition of the batteries and glowplugs. A lighter grade of oil in the winter/colder weather also helps. Good Luck on your search for your new truck.

Pretty much says it all.

0*F is about the cutoff point, below that you'll be really lucky if it starts without being plugged in.

A good pre-winter checkup should include checking all the glow plugs for bad ones, a good glow plug relay, checking the batteries with a load test and changing to a lighter weight oil for the extreme cold. Check the UVC connectors that they are connected and tight.

Also, check the plug-in heater for function. The most common source of failure is the cord it's self. Usually the insulation will crack near the connector at the bumper. Once that happens, the copper wire will corrode and break causing a short. Last time that happened to me, I was able to cut the plug off and put a new connector on.

Make sure you are using a winter blended fuel.

 

[John S]

Thanks guys,

What more could I ask for than advice from a guy in Canada and the other a UPer. Appreicate the good advice for getting a diesel ready for winter.

Thanks,
John

 

[mwalls54]

when i lived in the interior (Fairbanks) the airport had plugs everywhere. where bouts you talking about. i know our work trucks 2005 f250s psd and my psd excursion had battery heaters, tranny heater, and 2 oil heaters. one of my guys forgot to plug in one nite -22f and the next morning it wouldn't start. after pluged in it took about 2 hours before it would crank.

 

[DaveBen]

Welcome to SDD mwalls54. Thanks for your input and come back often.

Dave

 

[Bolthead]

Same thing happened to me Tail Gunner and once I put the new plug on it worked well.