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Thread: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

  1. Top Of Page | #1
    Old & Grumpy! Polaraco's Avatar

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    WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    In this super cold spell, here are a few reminders. Especially for you new to diesels guys. We need to treat our children correctly.

    1. Avoid parking the radiator into the wind

    2. Best to plug the truck in. If at all possible, but a float charger on the batteries. It will keep them warm and the truck will start easier. You can do this if you don't have block heaters. The truck will spin over faster and will reduce hard starting.

    3. Be sure you've drained any water from your fuel system.

    4. If equipped, make sure the fuel heater is working

    5. I shouldn't have to say this, but make sure you treat your fuel with a quality fuel treatment. (BTW, the Archoil stuff seems to be working very well)

    6. In this sub zero weather, it's best to let the engine get to 100* F before driving. Then take it slow for the first mile or two. You could push out a gasket on the filter bracket of filter. You need to get that oil warmed up too.

    7. Especially you northern guys, put a slab of cardboard in front of the radiator. Diesels run much colder than gassers , and need heat to com-bust properly. Your Rad could freeze while driving. Most are only protected to -20 +/-. The far north guys use different antifreeze or a higher concentration.

    Good luck


    2003- 3500 RWD Automatic.
    S & B intake, BD Intercooler, Pusher Air Horn, MM3 Double R Tuning, Turbo Timer, electric Flex-a-lite fans, FASS 95,
    50 HP tips, upgrade to 351 turbo, 3.42 gears, Twin air compressors, air bags, Remote dual oil filters, Hellwig sway bar, Front Winch. Home made Fuel Heater, BD Exhaust brake with Torque Lock. Tons of TLC

  2. Top Of Page | #2
    Old... But Still Here! AnOldBiker's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Good write up @Polaraco


    Might I suggest checking tire pressure in this very cold time of year.
    My my tires were slightly lower since this air condense in colder temps.



    Jim


    2006 ~ 2500HD, Big Horn Edition, 5.9, 4x4, Q/Cab, 48RE, L/B, 3.73, S&B CAI & Snout, ProFlo 5" S/S exhaust, Smarty Touch, Oil ByPass Kit, 60 gal main tank, 110 gallon in-bed tank, XX-Fuel Filter System, Coolant Bypass Kit, Mag-Hytec front & rear end covers and trans pan, 285 x 70 x 17

    "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States, where men 'were' free." ~ Ronald Regan

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  4. Top Of Page | #3
    Old & Grumpy! Polaraco's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Quote Originally Posted by AnOldBiker View Post
    Good write up @Polaraco


    Might I suggest checking tire pressure in this very cold time of year.
    My my tires were slightly lower since this air condense in colder temps.
    Good point Jim. They come up some when you start driving. I didn't think about that. I guess tire pressure is moot if the truck is froze up. LOL


    2003- 3500 RWD Automatic.
    S & B intake, BD Intercooler, Pusher Air Horn, MM3 Double R Tuning, Turbo Timer, electric Flex-a-lite fans, FASS 95,
    50 HP tips, upgrade to 351 turbo, 3.42 gears, Twin air compressors, air bags, Remote dual oil filters, Hellwig sway bar, Front Winch. Home made Fuel Heater, BD Exhaust brake with Torque Lock. Tons of TLC

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  6. Top Of Page | #4
    No Vacancy Power247's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Great tips guys!!

    Greg
    2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
    2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

    Greg
    2019 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | 6.4 HEMI

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  8. Top Of Page | #5
    JOKER! F350Cummins's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Tire pressure said it was low, we have had a 40* swing in temperature in 24 hours. Started fine, warmed up and drove.

    BTW What is that symbol next to the low tire, it looks like a guy frozen on a toilet

    Attached Images Attached Images
    2014 Ram 2500 CCSB Ram Box Larime
    2011 Ram 5500
    2006 Diesel Jeep Liberty
    RIP. 2016 Tradesman 2500 picked up 9/28/16 MM3 DRD Tuning 107K miles wrecked by jeep wrangler.....


    Other Toys: 1973 Charger Bougham edition 400 big block 42K original miles
    Unicycles (about 3 dozen)


    6 in a row makes her go

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  10. Top Of Page | #6
    mseitz24's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Mine ran fine yesterday, was -24 in the morning and never got above -10 or so. I started it at lunch time and let it run for a while to warm it back up so it wasnt sitting for 9 hours when I left to go home.

    This morning was -29 and That 5 degrees made a difference. I had it plugged in all night again and it started fine and warmed up to over 100. When I got going it ran fine at low rpm but when i got in to 3rd it kept bogging down when i’d try to speed up. I ran it a few miles at lower rpm’s thinking it would warm up and work itself out but it didnt. It ended up dying and started right back up but it cranked for a few seconds. I took it back home plugged it back in and grabbed the wifes car.

    Probably thick fuel issues? I’ve been using the diesel kleen in the white bottle for a couple months now. Should I have dumped a bottle of the 911 in knowing the extreme cold was coming?

    2013 CCSB 2500 G56 Tradesman

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  12. Top Of Page | #7
    Permanent Vacation RamHunter18's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Yes dump a full 32 oz red bottle in and drain both filters, change the filters if you haven't done them in a while


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  14. Top Of Page | #8
    JOKER! F350Cummins's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    I have noticed the last year or so the diesel kleen (white bottle) is not what it once was. It doesnt seem as effective. I had a jelling issue, limped it to work, watching my fuel pressures, and left it in the shop to warm up till lunch time. Added the Fuel ox treatment we have at work, and no issues. seeing as I get the cost on fuel ox, and I have it easily accessible, that is what I have changed to. @Polaraco likes arch oil and I have heard good about Howes as well.

    As for the red bottle, I have never had to use it.

    2014 Ram 2500 CCSB Ram Box Larime
    2011 Ram 5500
    2006 Diesel Jeep Liberty
    RIP. 2016 Tradesman 2500 picked up 9/28/16 MM3 DRD Tuning 107K miles wrecked by jeep wrangler.....


    Other Toys: 1973 Charger Bougham edition 400 big block 42K original miles
    Unicycles (about 3 dozen)


    6 in a row makes her go

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  16. Top Of Page | #9
    OneTon's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    I use Howes in my rig and have had great luck with it. -30 here two nights and negative teens as highs for a few days and I had no issues to speak of. Lots of diesels stranded on the side of the road during this cold spell.

    2015 Ram 3500 CCSB SRW 4x4 G56
    2020 Ram 2500 CCSB 4x4 68RFE

    Never ending project. Always adding something...

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  18. Top Of Page | #10
    Old & Grumpy! Polaraco's Avatar

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    Re: WINTER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS

    Quote Originally Posted by OneTon View Post
    I use Howes in my rig and have had great luck with it. -30 here two nights and negative teens as highs for a few days and I had no issues to speak of. Lots of diesels stranded on the side of the road during this cold spell.
    Never used Howes. Can't say I've ever seen it on any shelves around here. Like @F350Cummins, I was using Diesel Kleen until I tried the Archoil stuff. It's a newer product. You'd have to compare the protection features. One it has, which I don't think Howes has is the other fuel bennies that Archoil has.


    2003- 3500 RWD Automatic.
    S & B intake, BD Intercooler, Pusher Air Horn, MM3 Double R Tuning, Turbo Timer, electric Flex-a-lite fans, FASS 95,
    50 HP tips, upgrade to 351 turbo, 3.42 gears, Twin air compressors, air bags, Remote dual oil filters, Hellwig sway bar, Front Winch. Home made Fuel Heater, BD Exhaust brake with Torque Lock. Tons of TLC

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