6.2 and 6.5 cold winter prep

[2INSANE]

Here’s a list of things I have done to get mine to start at -40 degrees and hold heat in the cab after it starts.

1. 300 watt freeze plug block heater. (The 1000 watt tends to burn out too quickly)

2. 2 battery heaters. (Cold cranking amps reduce over 50% once it gets to -10 degrees)

3. 250 watt stick on oil pan heater.(500 watts is too much and will burn/boil the oil)

4. Inline lower radiator hose heater. (Helps to heat cab faster)

5. Fuel line heater. (6.2 and 6.5 diesel motors come OEM with a fuel heater. Most spin-on fuel filter upgrades don’t have fuel heaters)

6. 5w-40 oil. (This helps the motor crank easier)

7. Cover grill with cardboard. (Heats cab faster)

8. Remove mechanical motor fan. (Requires constant temp gauge monitoring and is only to be removed when temperatures drop -10 to -40+)

9. 12oz of anti gel additive first fill up, 6 oz additive each fill up after the first. (Pour anti gel in tank before fill up and drive around a little to circulate the anti gel in tank and lines for best results)

10. Using a blow dryer to blow hot air in the intake helps with starting.

11. Having a small electric space heater run over night in the cab helps keep the cab warm.

In general, using just a 300 watt freeze plug heater, anti gel in tank and thinner 5w-40 oil is usually all one really needs.

Never use ether to start your motor!

 

[shady]

All I did with mine the 4 years I had it here in Iowa is wait for the glow plug light to go out, and start it. That was it. Had good heat and all. Only failed to start one time, and that ended up being a bad glow circuit ground.
Never even covered the radiator like I've seen people do
Mine must have been built by an old dude on Wednesday lol.

 

[tRustyK5]

My '83 was the opposite. anything colder than 30F and I needed to plug it in. Had new injectors, rebuilt IP, 8 working kennedy quick heat glow plugs and a brand new gear reduction starter plus two really good batteries.

 

[shady]

Lol. That was my 95 6.5td. below 30 forget it. That's why it's 6.2 LS now... Starts much easier

 

[tRustyK5]

Modern FI gas engine is by far the best cold weather vehicle. My Dirtymax starts good without being plugged in, but I wouldn't say it's happy doing it. Definitely doesn't start on all eight cylinders right away...probably six immediately, seven in a couple of seconds and maybe all eight after 10 seconds. That's at -26C after sitting all night.

My 5.3 LT in my 2017 1500 would start no problem down at -40C without being plugged in.