Diesel: cold weather starting
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forgeblast
Elite Member
Just wondering out loud here.
I am thinking of getting the 2014 dodge 1500 diesel. I live in North East Pa, so we have winter and cold and snow.
I do not currently have a garage so the truck would be out in the driveway.
Is it dumb then to look at the diesel? We were also thinking of eventually switching over my wifes jetta to a vw diesel also. Our reasons for the diesels were for the engine longevity, and the mileage they get. Sorry for the off topic post but there are a lot of diesel people posting here.
I am thinking of getting the 2014 dodge 1500 diesel. I live in North East Pa, so we have winter and cold and snow.
I do not currently have a garage so the truck would be out in the driveway.
Is it dumb then to look at the diesel? We were also thinking of eventually switching over my wifes jetta to a vw diesel also. Our reasons for the diesels were for the engine longevity, and the mileage they get. Sorry for the off topic post but there are a lot of diesel people posting here.
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
If it has a block heater and you can park it in reach of an extension cord it should be fine.
terryknight
Veteran Member
use a heavy extension cord
So long as:
1) Batteries are healthy.
2) Fuel system is managed properly.
Then modern diesels start at pretty low temperatures.
What do I mean by "managing" the Fuel system ?
1) Get religion about changing the fuel filters on the factory schedule, if not sooner.
2) Buy your diesel at a reputable high volume (as in major truck stop) location.
3) If you hold onto your vehicles longer than 3-4 years, then read up on treating diesel fuel. Personally I use Stanadyne, other folks have done well with Howes, Optilube XPD etc. Regular use helps manage water and other wear issues.
Some people consider these additives a waste of money. Then again, some people are replacing injectors at not much past 100,000 miles. Read up, and even better yet, stop into a big injector repair/overhaul shop - these guys get the factory training. Any decent shop will be happy to give you tips on avoiding becoming a major customer way too early.
If you take reasonable care (meaning also always using motor oil to engine OEM spec) of a modern diesel, you should have long service from it.
Last thought - have a really close look at the emmission components warranty. They are not cheap to replace, and I've found in Canada that the manufacturers have been allowed by our govt to cut back the duration of these warranties substantially. I'm mostly not a fan of extended warranties, but for these applications I'd be pricing them out too.
Rgds, D.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
My diesels have never had the luxury of a garage, they all have to sit in the weather. Starting the engines in cold weather with 15Wx40 oil is not impossible it just not fun. My truck and tractor engines did not like start cold with that thick oil but they would start. Simple fix is to run a 5Wx40 or 0Wx40 oil. Starting is not much different in cold vs hot weather and I don't use an engine block heater anymore.
I put additive in the tractor fuel because that fuel can sit. I could easily have warm weather fuel when it gets cold. The only time I put additive in the truck is when the temp falls well below normal. If the temp falls into single digits, I will put some additive in the truck fuel, just to make sure the fuel does not gel. The truck is just shy of 180,000 miles and I have the original injectors.
Gas vs Diesel. When my truck has to be replaced, I will look long and hard at the cost/benefit of owning diesel. Buying a diesel truck made sense in 2001 but I don't know if it makes money sense today. The engines are much more expensive today, fuel is much higher today than in 2001, engine complexity is higher, and gassers seem to have improved in both MPG but also in longevity. The replacement cost of my truck seems to be around $60K! :shocked: Course cars are not cheap either nor are gasser trucks. :confused3: Hopefully the truck will last another dozen years.
Later,
Dan
PhysAssist
Elite Member
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H
Hi Forgeblast,
From practical experience here in the rust and snow belt between Rochester and Buffalo, our 2001 Ford F-350 with a 7.3 V8 diesel has never been garaged until last winter, and even then it was pretty open and definitely never heated. (the west-facing garage door is 16' wide and without a concrete floor, the door was open 6" all winter long), and as long as all the components are operating correctly, it starts first try almost every time, unless it sits for a few weeks, and then it may take 2 or 3 cycles of the glow plugs to start. Ditto oir Kuboys B2320 since 2011, only it has been in a Shelter Logic temporary garage.
Go for it, especially if you have a need for the torque and power, or if you just like diesels.
Thomas
PS: As has been said several times previously, a block heater doesn't need to be exorbitant and can help reduce start up wear if used judiciously.
PILOON
Super Star Member
I have had diesel pick ups and I now have had my diesel tractor for 10 years.
Magnetic block heaters are close to useless!
A 400 watt in block heater is the way to go!
I have used 2 methods of powering the heater, the first being a dedicated outlet that is switched from inside the house and the latest (and nicest) is a remote controlled wireless switch (like a 'door lock' remote) that I like best. This is always plugged in and ready for a simple push of the button.
Above 0 deg about 1 hour is fine and colder than that I try for 2 hours.
\routine is fairly simple, look at the thermometer, switch heater on, make coffee and by the time I'm dressed to go out the tractor is ready to fire up.
Always B4 cold weather I do oil changes, lube, NEW filter and always add anti gelling additives as I have had gelling more often than I like to admit.
Just in case I also drain the tank sump just in case some water has condensed over the humid summer.
From experience I always have added a tell tale light (like 5-10 watt) in parallel with the block heater to confirm that power goes to my block heater.
(Occasionally an animal or person has snagged the power cord and unplugged me.)
My worst experience was replacing a burnt out block heater at -20 but I prevailed and did it.
Since then I learned that blowing hot air into the air cleaner will help fire up the tractor.(heat gun or hair drier)
NEVER use either as it will be costly! (OK in big cats but not in CUTs)
Naturally something like 5W20 winter oil helps a lot.
My 2 cents.
Magnetic block heaters are close to useless!
A 400 watt in block heater is the way to go!
I have used 2 methods of powering the heater, the first being a dedicated outlet that is switched from inside the house and the latest (and nicest) is a remote controlled wireless switch (like a 'door lock' remote) that I like best. This is always plugged in and ready for a simple push of the button.
Above 0 deg about 1 hour is fine and colder than that I try for 2 hours.
\routine is fairly simple, look at the thermometer, switch heater on, make coffee and by the time I'm dressed to go out the tractor is ready to fire up.
Always B4 cold weather I do oil changes, lube, NEW filter and always add anti gelling additives as I have had gelling more often than I like to admit.
Just in case I also drain the tank sump just in case some water has condensed over the humid summer.
From experience I always have added a tell tale light (like 5-10 watt) in parallel with the block heater to confirm that power goes to my block heater.
(Occasionally an animal or person has snagged the power cord and unplugged me.)
My worst experience was replacing a burnt out block heater at -20 but I prevailed and did it.
Since then I learned that blowing hot air into the air cleaner will help fire up the tractor.(heat gun or hair drier)
NEVER use either as it will be costly! (OK in big cats but not in CUTs)
Naturally something like 5W20 winter oil helps a lot.
My 2 cents.
forgeblast
Elite Member
Thank you all for the info and posts I printed them out to make sure I remember them.
We are also in the epicenter of the Marcellus shale region. CNG gas stations are being planned. It seems that the Diesels have more conversion kits to be able to run duel fuel. Which is a plus. I will need a new vehicle in october 2014, my lease runs out on my car and have need of a truck. My day care bills will be done, and wifes car paid off. So I can finally get a truck.
We have two high volume gas stations in town, with the all the fracking going on the diesel is not sitting.
I plan on holding onto the truck for at least 11 years (daughter is 5 so at 16 she could get my truck).
I have a great mechanic right down the road that has been a great help when it comes to anything car related.
We are also in the epicenter of the Marcellus shale region. CNG gas stations are being planned. It seems that the Diesels have more conversion kits to be able to run duel fuel. Which is a plus. I will need a new vehicle in october 2014, my lease runs out on my car and have need of a truck. My day care bills will be done, and wifes car paid off. So I can finally get a truck.
We have two high volume gas stations in town, with the all the fracking going on the diesel is not sitting.
I plan on holding onto the truck for at least 11 years (daughter is 5 so at 16 she could get my truck).
I have a great mechanic right down the road that has been a great help when it comes to anything car related.
