I took the truck to the selling dealer and the regular diesel mechanic confirmed the problem and went through his check list. His solution is to change the oil to a lighter weight (10w30). I dont usually got to that weight until later next month. I am running 15w40 and just changed it 1000 miles ago. The night time temps have dipped to 9-15 degrees with the day time temps in the upper 40's. After work, she starts up and operates just like usual.

My question: Is this something you guys have heard of happening? The tech writer says that no codes are coming up (like for a bad sensor) so the mechanic started with this fix first. They want to keep her overnight and see if the problem re-occurs tomorrow morning.

Also, I have noticed that the 'clatter' sound upon morning start-up is different. My 15 y.o. son said the same thing last night as his room is near the driveway. It doesnt sound good but I dont know if that is because if the extra cold temps causing the tolerances to widen or what.

Any comments?

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-Paul

I did start it last week-end when the temp was about 19 degrees and it started but the idle was up and down several times for a few seconds. It was just like when I move the truck when its cold and let off the throttle. Up and down very quickly but only for a few seconds. Mine has always done that.

Mine is much happier when its plugged in for a while before being started. In cold weather I cycle the glow plugs 2 or 3 times before cranking it also.

After a minute or so, mine goes into a higher idle speed when its below about 30 degrees. The manual calls this warmup mode, I believe. If yours isn't doing that, it should be and that would indicate to me a sensor problem or something related.

Might ask the technician about that.

quote:

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Originally posted by BlueMule:
If it's getting down to 9 to 15 degrees, have you tried a block heater? I don't know much about Powerstrokes but the few diesels I have driven hated that kind of cold.

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Yes, my truck came with a block heater as standard equipment. Since we moved out of Alaska in 1990, I havent plugged a vehicle in yet. The service writer said the same thing (have you plugged in the block heater?). I guess I should try that instead of risking the same consequence.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dad Vishus:

I did start it last week-end when the temp was about 19 degrees and it started but the idle was up and down several times for a few seconds. It was just like when I move the truck when its cold and let off the throttle. Up and down very quickly but only for a few seconds. Mine has always done that.

Mine is much happier when its plugged in for a while before being started. In cold weather I cycle the glow plugs 2 or 3 times before cranking it also.

I don't drive mine every day, so I haven't had a lot of cold weather starting experience. I don't change oil weights either.

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DV, you describe the same characteristics as I have with mine (the idle bounces quickly after initial start-up and come to a stop sign).

I drive mine everyday to work. The next time it looks like it is going to get cold I will plug in the block heater. The Ford mechanic replaced the 15w40 with 10w30 (which is what we used in Alaska). He said the problem did not repeat the next morning. I will try the glow plug cycling too.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dad Vishus:
One other question. Does it go into warmup mode (higher idle) when the weather is cold?

After a minute or so, mine goes into a higher idle speed when its below about 30 degrees. The manual calls this warmup mode, I believe. If yours isn't doing that, it should be and that would indicate to me a sensor problem or something related.

Might ask the technician about that.

I'd sure think the oil weight answer sounds like a cop-out for something they can't explain otherwise.

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Sometimes it goes to high idle, usually 1200-1500 rpm for a few minutes. I am going to re-read the PSD engine manual and see if there is something I am forgetting.

I have been very happy with my dealers service writer and the diesel tech. They take good carre of her when she is there and the SW listens to my concerns/explainations and is knowledgable regarding the PSD. However, I am still doubtful the oil weight was the problem. It could be but I am going to have to do some more research.

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'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150

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'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150

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-Paul

70 Mach1
79 Ranchero GT
97 Expedition XLT
00 SVT f150 Lightning 4149 of 4966 Born on: 06/26/2000

'life's tough... it's tougher if you're stupid.'

Mine: 13K miles. 0 problems other than leaky rad. hose clamp and limited slip chatter that was cured with new additive for the rear.

Buddy 1: 46 K miles 0 problems
Buddy 2: 36 K miles, limited slip chatter only problem
Buddy 3: 181K, water pump at 150K, no other problems
My cousin: uses his daily to haul 20 ft enclosed trailer loaded with snack cakes (he's the distributor for grocery stores, etc) 75K+ with no problems. Bought his 2000 PSD to replace a Cummins powered POS Dodge.

Many other racing friends also have them. Very few problems. I'm sold on mine.

I get 18 mpg on the highway under 70 mph. 13 towing my old open trailer and car. A couple of months ago I took it to central Fla to get my dragster. 1100 mile round trip in 20 hrs. It was Interstate and we ran 78-80 mph the whole time towing a 26ft enclosed trailer and still got 10.8 mpg average.

The operating costs on the diesel is cheaper in the long run. Oil changes are more, but you save more than that in fuel costs, At least in my area.

Ex. Say I average 15mpg. 5K oil change interval per Ford. Diesel around here is $1.21. 5K mile fuel cost is 333 gals or $404

If I had a gasser, say 12 mpg at $1.31/gal (current price here) fuel for 5K miles is 416 gals or $545

$141 differnce more than covers the addtional oil change and other costs.

Gasser oil change DIY is $11.
Diesel DIY is $34, the only other additonal maint. cost on the diesel is a bottle of FW-16 cooling supplement ($7) every 15K and a fuel filter ($13 online), also every 15K. I also have a washable K&N air filter soI don't have to replace a $20 air filter every 15K.

[This message has been edited by cracing (edited 11-29-2002).]

I'm just comparing maint. costs. The slightly higher costs of maintaining a diesel pays for itself with the fuel savings.

I'm sure that an older, worn out or commercial diesel will have high replacement parts costs. But I got 210K out of my last gasser. I figure if I maintain this one to the same standard the engine will outlast the truck.

I also have a Honda Civic. A Foreign Car. Built in Canada. Love it. I drive it 124 miles per day round trip to work and back. 37 mpg running 75-80. Interstate the whole way. 93 model. Paid $1700 at auction 15 months ago. It ad 153K miles on it, but also had a full glovebox of maint records. 38K miles later the only costs have been gas, oil changes and a timing belt replacement just to be safe. ($160) I HATE import hot rod wannabes, but this car does what it's meant to do. Get me from A to B and back as cheaply as possible.

Later,
David Cole

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'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveLaRiviere:
You don't have much cold weather in Alabama to deal with, do you?

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Not alot of cold weather. But I do live in the NE corner of the state. Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Big diff in temps here compared to say 300 miles south in LA (Lower Alabama) LOL. Average winter temps at night are mid-upper 20's, with a few cold snaps down into the teens and an occasional 5-10?F night. Usually about 2 snowfalls (2-4" each) and a couple of ice storms per winter. Daytime temps average upper 40's-mid 50's.

For winter I add 6oz (about 45 cents worth) Power Service fuel additive per tank. Just to make sure the fuel doesn't gel. That 6 oz/tank is supposed to make it good for -20?.

If I'm going to use the truck on a morning where it's going to be less than 20? I plug in the block heater. I have a heavy duty timer that I use for my swimming pool in the summer. I connect the heater to the timer and set it to come on 2 hrs before I need to leave. The guage is off the peg on startup and I have heat by the end of the block. A couple of times I forgot to plug it in when temps went into the teens. It started fine. Just took a few miles of easy driving until I had heat.

Later,
David Cole

At home, if it wasn't plugged in when it was below 20, it wasn't starting.

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'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150

He now has a 2001 5.4 F-250. He for one will not go back to a Diesel. Just can't cost justify it.

I believe the converter alone was 1200.00

My Dad's opinion of the PSD now is you either have to use it for business and make money with it, your travel alot, or you buy it as a yuppie truck. Much like the Chebbie truck buyers. My Dad calls them (chebbies) the "funlovers" truck. Cause you can't use em for work.

I seriously love the power the thing makes. Its hard to describe, it doesn't throw you into the back seat when punched, but when loaded down a bit, the power comes on stronger. I kindof equate it to putting a huge motor in a light digger. The torquey power plant doesn't have anything to pull against. Make it work harder to put all that torque to work.

Hilly country is where mine shines. There are several hills on the way to the track every week and if some slow driver doesn't get in my way, the cruise keeps it right where its set.

KV drove it to N.C last Fall and he told me it went up the mountains (?) no problem. Sorry, but my idea of mountains is in Colorado.

I have seen an example of replacement parts cost. One of our racer friends hauls his car on an old slant bed F350 with a diesel. His fuel pump went out last year and it cost him over a grand for a junkyard one. Rebuilt was like $1800. Scared me to death!!

I like mine well enough that unless I decide to get a motorhome, I'm keepin it. I love the power and I really like the sound. Its like you have a real motor that has a life of its own. Its always talkin to ya. I dunno, maybe I'm strange, but I like that.

If I have to buy some costly parts somewhere down the line, I'll have to deal with that then.

Your sig line is soooo true . . . driving my F350 PSD crew cab dually to work everyday is like commuting in a B-52. And I LOVE it ! ! !

quote:

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Originally posted by 70MachT-5:
DV,

Your sig line is soooo true . . . driving my F350 PSD crew cab dually to work everyday is like commuting in a B-52. And I LOVE it ! ! !

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I really like mine too. If the weather isn't too bad this time of the year, on Friday nights I just get in it and go for a drive. Have to keep all 4 rotors polished up.

Thats something I haven't mentioned before. The brakes on the truck are the best I've ever had on any vehicle. The monster disks behind those dual wheels are plain awesome. It stops my trailer right now!